Few shrubs can match weigelas for reliability and toughness; the trumpet-shaped red, white or pink flowers smother the arching stems in the early summer. Once they’re established, it’s important to prune these medium-sized shrubs as soon as the flowering display has ended. This keeps the plants compact and tidy, and encourages lots of healthy new growth.

In exposed gardens, check tall and late-flowering herbaceous perennials, including heleniums, Michaelmas daisies and solidagos, and ensure they have a suitable means of support. You can give these vigorous plants a feed now.

When climbing runner beans, above, reach the top of their support system, pinch out the growing tip of each plant. This will keep them under control and encourage the formation of pod-producing side shoots.

Readers’ questions

Some of my greenhouse tomatoes have pale-brown patches on them. What is wrong?

R Hugill, Chepstow

When tomato fruits and leaves develop bleached, sunken and papery patches on the surface, the cause is usually exposure to strong sunlight. To prevent further problems, apply special shading paint to the glass (or use blinds) and keep the greenhouse well ventilated on hot days.

It’s also worth damping down the greenhouse floor every morning by dousing it with water. Be careful, though, not to splash the fruits with moisture, as that can concentrate the power of the sun.

What is the simplest way to deal with a dried-out container?

H Plaice, by e-mail

If a container dries out in hot weather, the compost tends to shrink from the sides and irrigation water drains away without soaking into the earth. This can lead to wilting and the death of the plant. Stand the container in a bucket of water for a few hours (or overnight), lifting it out when the compost has absorbed as much water as possible. Once you have done this, cover the surface of the compost with a moisture-retaining mulch and check it for water every day.

gardenexpert@sunday-times.co.uk

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