Claytonia (winter purslane or miner’s lettuce) is a hardy salad plant grown for its vitamin-rich leaves. Sow seeds over the next few weeks in shallow drills: choose a sheltered, sunny spot with well-drained soil. Thin seedlings to 4in or 6in apart. The leaves can be picked from autumn onwards. To prolong the harvest, gather just a few at a time from each plant.
Now that the flowering display has ended, this is the perfect time to lift, divide and replant overcrowded clumps of Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag iris).
Lilium candidum (Madonna lily) is a beautiful border perennial covered in sweetly scented, trumpet-shaped white flowers in June and July. For a stunning display next season, plant the bulbs 2in deep and 9in apart in mid- to late summer — a sunny corner and fertile, well-drained soil are essential. Suppliers include the Anglia Bulb Company (01206 272728, angliabulbs.com).
Once runner beans reach the top of their supports, pinch out the growing tip of each plant. This encourages the production of flowering and fruiting sideshoots. It’s also important to ensure that the compost (or soil) is kept lightly moist and weed-free at all times.
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Check water lilies and remove any large leaves that are hiding the emerging flowers. Sever them just below the surface and throw on the compost heap.