JUNE is a lovely month for a walk in the garden, as there is much to enjoy. Gardeners can see the beautiful results of their hard work. The borders change day by day with flowers and, if you let them, more weeds, for with warmth and moisture everything is growing rapidly. Here in the North East, the rate of growth is rarely affected by drought, so despite our summers, our gardens prosper for months. I sometimes call this the silly season because there is always more work to do. The continued success of a garden the size of Wallington is dependent on the hard work of our gardeners and volunteers, who achieve so much. As I walk around the garden, I try to appreciate the beauty of the plants, as well as the tasks to be done. These jobs include weeding, deadheading, staking, edging and mowing lawns. Deadheading not only improves the appearance of your plants, but will encourage repeat flowering and possibly a second flush. Staking can be a priority for some plants. Picking them up after the weather has knocked them down means they lose the natural look. Wallington garden is full of colour, and plants of interest include Thalictrum aquilegifolium (Meadow Rue) with pretty, fluffy purple flowers and foliage which looks like aquilegia, hence the name, but with very different blooms. There is also Geranium x magnificum, a robust hybrid with bright blue flowers and attractive foliage. For a garden expedition, join Simon Thompson on July 10 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm for a Summer’s Evening Tour followed by refreshments in the conservatory. Tickets cost £7.50 each, tel: 01670 773 602. John Ellis is head gardener at the Wallington Estate, Cambo, near Morpeth, Northumberland. For more information, tel: 01670 773 600 or go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington | 
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