As the garden heads into the second stage of summer some things are beginning to look a little tatty. Trimming tired foliage and removing faded blooms (except where the plant has ornamental seed heads, or where you intend to collect seed) will make things look a lot fresher.
In many cases a second flush of flowers will occur as the plants attempt yet again to produce seed. (This, after all, is what nature has programmed them to do - not to beautify our gardens.) Delphiniums need special treatment: cut them right down to the base and give a good feed, water and mulch. If the slugs don't get them, they should produce another lot of spikes in September.
