Weekend work: Time to tend to camellias

Camellia flower buds are being initiated now for next spring's display (Getty Images)

What to do

Remember your camellias, especially if they are growing in pots. Flower buds are being initiated now for next spring's display. If the plant is too dry, it will not have the strength to produce these buds.

Weeds can be brought to heel with a dose of herbicide, but use them only on the calmest of days when there is no danger of spray drifting on to other plants. If you are fighting horsetail, trample it lightly underfoot before spraying. Bruising increases the rate at which the plants absorb the herbicide.

Well-established hedges of beech, hornbeam, privet and yew should be clipped this month. Box, holly, laurel and Leyland cypress should also be tackled if necessary. If you leave the clipping of these much later, new growth will be cut back by frost.

Herbaceous geraniums should be cut hard back now. They will produce fresh mounds of leaves and if you are lucky, may even flower again.

What to see

The garden at Sea Mere, Hingham, Norwich, Norfolk NR9 4LP is laid out round a 20-acre mere, which provides a focus for the whole place. Sea Mere's owner, Judy Watson, uses the garden with its potager, roses, woodland garden, herbaceous borders and wildflower meadows as an outdoor classroom for the courses she runs. The 21 classes for the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture are spread out over 18 months, starting in September.

The full course costs £625 plus VAT. For more information go to the website at seamere.com or email studycentre@seamere.com