August: pipin' hot!

Time for a bath!

Well, not literally right now at 9 in the morning, but with the hosepipe ban in place and plants going brown or curling up – it is not a bad idea. I’m keeping a bucket and a watering can handy so I can scoop out my tub and use the water for my potted plants. (A plug stopper when you have a shower does the job too). Newly planted trees and shrubs are particularly vulnerable at the moment, so they are a priority.

The trouble taken by those who have put in extra water butts will be paying off but perhaps the biggest dividend will go to those who have been planting drought tolerant species. These are often identified as being plants coming from the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or Alpine regions. Plants with pale, glaucous leaves are usually drought tolerant and can thrive with virtually no water.

Drought resistant species include Abelia, Achillea, Ceonothus, Iris, Euphorbia, Lavender, Rosemary, Sages, Sedums, Semperviven. A quick hunt on the internet for the RHS list will give you a good deal of helpful information on these plants.

There are plenty of satisfying jobs to do this month to work up a sweat - so you can take that bath!

• Dead head herbaceous plants, not forgetting dahlias and roses: these will all usually give you repeat flowering later in the year.

• Wisteria will need their summer prune. This gives a chance for light and air to ripen sturdier growth and produce better flowers. The technique is to cut back the whippier new tendrils to about 5 x buds, to just above the bud. Do not forget that Wisterias need another chop in late winter.

• Keep ponds topped up with water, preferably “grey” water from waste water that comes from anywhere but the toilet (showers, washing up etc). Try to avoid using a tap when everyone in the neighbourhood is having a shower or washing up: they won’t thank you when the water pressure drops!

• Cut back rambling roses when they have finished flowering. Be brutal -they are!

• Hedges can be given a final trim before their growth begins to slow down in September.

• Black spot on roses is very common at this time of year: clear fallen leaves and burn them to prevent spread.

Plants have an amazing capacity to revive after a drought – just look at how lawns come back. If there are plants that were put in this year then it is worth heaping mulch up around their base (e.g., bark, manure, straw) then give them a good soak with a watering can or bucket.

Don’t just splurge the entire bucket on in one go: if you can do the rounds by slowly giving them a bit at a time, the hydrating will be far more effective.

After all that trouble I would have thought it would be very acceptable to go and find something to splash around in yourself! A wonderful client of mine has suggested recomending sharing baths.

Now that’s real commitment!