Lathyrus

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water in dry periods

Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water to keep the soil moist

For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.

Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.

Spring-Winter · Planting

Tie branches to supports

This plant is usually grown up walls, trellis or fences. Since the plant cannot naturally support itself, it needs to be fixed to wires or other supports attached to the wall, trellis or fence.

The plant is most attractive when trained or it can become ugly with bare-stems. Use string or 'soft fixings' to attach the branches to the wires or supports on walls, trellis or fences.

Outdoors

Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently

To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.

Outdoors

Water some varieties differently

Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.

Planting

Prune some varieties

Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.

Planting

Deadhead blooms during flowering season

Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.

The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.

Compost · Planting

Multi-purpose compost

Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.