Now we are past the longest day, much of the vigour seems to go out of plants – they have completed the majority of their growing for the year.

This is a time when you can take softwood cuttings of plants to produce new specimens for next year. Examples of plants we treat in this way at Standen are hydrangeas, fuchsias and buddleias but many deciduous shrubs can be propagated like this too.

The cuttings are best taken from non-flowering shoots and kept in a propagator, or in a pot covered with a clear plastic bag on a light – but not sun-drenched – windowsill. These should be well rooted by mid to late August if taken now and will be ready for potting on then. Make sure you gradually harden them off outside until they can either be planted out in the autumn if large enough or otherwise kept in a greenhouse or cold-frame until next spring. This is a great way to increase your favourite plants with very little cost or effort.

Another area on which we are concentrating now – and particularly this year – is flowers for our bees. Last year was a disastrous one for bees in general; while they are suffering from so many other problems such as pests and diseases, a very wet year followed by a long cold winter did them few favours. We unfortunately lost four of our six hives here at Standen and the remaining two are very weak.

Everyone can do their bit to help keep these vital insects going and into the bargain help many other species as well, such as bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies. If you do not have a garden of your own, why not try buying locally produced honey to help support beekeepers in your area?

If you do have a garden, there are many suitable plants: comfrey, thyme, ornamental onions, sweet pea, geranium and aquilegia are all ones we grow at Standen but their favourite of all is Agastache, the giant hyssop which is always covered in bees in all but the most inclement weather.