Plant Calendar - April to June
April: Pieris are deservedly popular slow growing evergreens. In early spring they bear lily-of-the-valley type flowers which are pink or white and lightly scented. Beautiful young growth is produced in varied shades of red. Requiring lime-free soil, they can happily be accommodated in pots and provide long seasons of interest.
Other plants to look out for this month - Amelanchier (Snowy Mespilus(, Cytisus (Broom), Malus (Crab Apple), Prunus (Flowering Cherry) and Primula - many suitable for damp or shady areas.
May: Clematis montana is a vigorous climber bearing masses of flowers this month. Colours range from white to all shades of pink and some are scented. They quickly cover fences, walls, pergolas and old tree stumps.
Other plants to look out for this month include: Ceanothus (Californian Lilac), Crataegus (Hawthorn) and Crinodendron (Chilean Lantern Tree). .
June: In the herbaceous border, Heuchera in all it’s forms provides foliage colour in many shades from silvery-green and purple to yellow, orange and tan. Varieties include H. ‘Palace Purple’, H. ‘Melting Fire’ and H. ‘Mint Frost’. Hardy Geraniums are invaluable, flowering throughout the summer. Some, such as G. macrorrhizum ’Ingwersen’s Variety’ are semi-evergreen and make excellent ground cover.
Other plants to look out for this month include Callistemon (Bottlebrush), Cornus kousa (Flowering Dogwood), Hebe, Laburnum x watereri ‘Vossii’ (Golden Rain Tree) and Lavendula
