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Ornamental grasses are easy to grow and look after, but if you want to lift and divide them, it鈥檚 important to know which type of grass you have. Those that originate from cooler climates come into growth in late winter or early spring and so are best divided in late March or April. Examples include Deschampsia, Festuca and Stipa. Grasses that come from warmer climes, on the other hand, are very slow to wake up and so must not be moved or divided until May or June. Miscanthus, Panicum and Pennisetum all fall into this category. If you鈥檙e not sure what type of grass you have, simply wait until聽the new leaves start to appear before you do anything.

To increase your chances of success, it鈥檚 worth dividing the clump into good sized chunks. A sharp spade or an old knife often comes in handy. Remove anything that looks dead before replanting the remainder, and keep well watered over the coming year.

(apps.rhs.org.uk)

Trebah Garden
Mawnan Smith
nr Falmouth
Cornwall
TR11 5JZ
Tel. 01326 252200

Trebah Garden is open every day, so if you fancy a visit, click on the link below. The hydrangeas Rachel went to see will be looking their best from mid-July.聽

(www.trebahgarden.co.uk)

Hydrangeas grow best in sun or part shade, in moist, but well-drained soil.聽 Shelter from cold, drying winds can be beneficial too. The colour of the flowers is often affected by the pH of your soil. If you garden on acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 or less, for example, a blue-flowered variety will almost certainly remain blue. But if your soil has a high pH, a blue-flowered variety will turn pink. Simple soil testing kits are available from garden centres if you don鈥檛 know which type of soil you have.

If you have your heart set on a blue hydrangea and garden on neutral or alkaline soil, you could always grow it in a large pot. For best results, use an聽ericaceous compost and keep well watered using only rainwater.

(apps.rhs.org.uk)

Some herbaceous perennials can become thugs in the garden. Examples include Acanthus and Lysimachia. But if you take action now, there鈥檚 a good chance you鈥檒l be able to keep them under control. Using a fork, dig out up to half of the plant and either throw the rest away or give it to a friend. Aim to do this every couple of years.聽

(apps.rhs.org.uk)

Elders are beautiful shrubs and to make the most of their stunning foliage, it鈥檚 often worth pruning them hard in spring. This is called coppicing or pollarding and simply involves cutting back all of last year鈥檚 growth down to a trunk or stump.

(www.rhs.org.uk)

Fuchsias are very easy to propagate so if you want to increase your stock, now鈥檚 the time to take cuttings. Using a sharp knife, cut off a non-flowering shoot, remove the lower leaves and cut beneath a node. Insert each one around the edge of a small pot filled with compost and water. Place somewhere warm and light, and ensure that the cuttings never dry out.

(apps.rhs.org.uk)