SOME of the flowering shrubs are making their mark on the garden this month, although the flamboyance of rhododendrons and azaleas are fading and blowsy hydrangeas have yet to arrive.

In their place are more subtle specimens, such as Cotoneaster. This family of shrubs is known for the masses of colourful berries they carry in late summer and autumn, but in June many are quietly blooming although it is easy to pass by their tiny flowers.

What usually gives them away is the sound of bees, especially on a warm sunny day when they flock to the branches to busy themselves collecting pollen. The flowers really are very small. The Cotoneaster in our garden carries small pink and white cups that open to reveal the minute brownish stamen, so attractive to the bees that crowd around.

Cotoneasters are easy to grow and can be used as wall shrubs, prostrate ground cover or as specimen large shrubs, according to species.

They will grow in most garden soils, although newly planted specimens will need regular watering in dry weather, especially on well-drained soils, until they are established.

Full sun through to partial shade will be tolerated and little pruning is needed, apart from removing unwanted or damaged branches in spring.

Another shrub that is looking good at the moment is the elder or Sambucus, with varieties of Sambucus nigra being popular ones for growing in the garden.

Aurea, for example, has golden yellow leaves on sometimes pink flushed stems and clusters of white flowers in early summer. A mature shrub is a lovely sight, especially in a partially shaded site, where it gives a pool of golden sunlight on the dullest of days.

Black Lace and Black Beauty are quite different in colour as their names suggest, both having very dark, almost black foliage and flat plate-shaped pink flowers in May and June. The former has delicate, ferny foliage, while the leaves of the latter are a more solid oval shape.

Like Cotoneaster, Sambucus is easy to grow and will cope with most soils, even heavy clay and any site from full sun to shade, although yellow-leafed varieties need to have sun for part of the day to get the best leaf colour.

To keep a good shape, about one third of the oldest stems should be removed in early spring. Where space is limited, Sambucus can be kept smaller by taking out more stems and cutting the remaining ones back to just above a strong leaf bud.

Cemetery walks

THERE will be three guided tours through York Cemetery this week and although only one deals especially with a plant-related theme, they will all give an opportunity to see the lovely surroundings this beautiful area provides.

The first walk, Buddleia, Butterflies And Bees, is on Monday, followed by Aspects Of Victorian York on Tuesday. The final one, York Cemetery 1837 - 2007, is on Wednesday. Each tour begins at 7pm and starts at the Gatehouse. They will last around an hour-and-a-half, followed by refreshments in the chapel and cost £2.50 adult, £1 child including refreshments. No booking is required but please arrive by 6.50pm.

Gardening TV and Radio

Tomorrow

8am, Radio Humberside, The Great Outdoors.

9am, Radio Leeds, Gardening with Tim Crowther and Joe Maiden.

2pm, R4, Gardeners' Question Time. The team continues, including Bob Flowerdew, their 60th anniversary celebrations from Sparsholt College in Hampshire.

Open gardens

Tomorrow

In aid of St John Ambulance

Burneston Hall, Burneston, three miles south of Bedale. Garden with trees, flowering shrubs, lawns with tennis courts and roses. Open 2pm to 5pm. Admission £3.50 or £5 combined with The Manor, details below.

The Manor, Carthorpe, near Bedale, on the T-junction between Burneston and Kirklington. Two-acre mature, informal garden with walks, herbaceous and shrub borders, pond and climbers growing on old brick walls. Open 2pm to 5pm. Admission £3.50 or £5 combined with Burneston Hall, details above.

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

Hedon Gardens, on the A1023 Hull-Withernsea road. Four gardens open in this historic market town which has royal charters dating back to the C12. The museum and church will be open. Gardens include:

  • 32 Baxtergate with gravel and raised beds, minute vegetable garden and fish pond;
  • Calegarth with specimen coniferous and flowering shrubs, terrace, dell and a new vista around every corner;
  • 56 Roslyn Crescent with a small town garden, hostas and mini hostas, ferns and other shade-loving plants;
  • Westfield with mixed herbaceous and shrub borders, lawns, gazebo, mature trees and an ornamental pond.

Open 11am to 5pm. Combined admission £5.

Hillbark, Church Lane, Bardsey, off the A58 Wetherby-Leeds road. One-acre garden with shrubs, perennials, hidden arbours, large natural pond with ducks and marginal planting, and woodland area approached by bridges across a stream. Open 11am to 5pm. Admission £3.

Holmfield, Fridaythorpe, off the A166 York-Driffield road. Two-acre garden on a south-facing slope with large borders, vegetable and fruit areas, a collection of phlomis and an octagonal gazebo. The adjacent nursery will be open. Open 11am to 5pm. Admission £2.50.

Maspin House, Hillam, seven miles west of Selby. Three-acre garden with a wide variety of plants, ponds, formal canal, woodland with creative underplanting and orchard with shrubs, climbing roses and a new summerhouse. Open 2pm to 6pm. Admission £3.

Millgate House, Richmond, in the centre of the town at the bottom of Market Place. Southeast facing walled garden packed with clematis, old roses, ferns, hostas, small trees and shrubs. Open all day from 8am to 8pm. Admission £2.50 adult, £1.50 child.

Oakwood House, Swanland, eight miles west of Hull. Garden planted for year-round interest with a sun baked border, shady areas, herbaceous perennials and seating areas providing different views of the garden. Open 11 am to 5pm. Admission £2.50.

Stillingfleet Lodge, Stillingfleet, off the B1222 York-Sherburn in Elmet road. Large garden divided into smaller areas around the house each based on a colour theme. Also wild flower meadow, natural pond, double borders and adjacent nursery. Open 1.30pm to 5pm. Admission £3 adult, child five to 16, 50p, under five free.

Swale Cottage, Station Road, Richmond, in the centre of the town. Garden with mature herbaceous plants, roses and shrubs, organic vegetables and soft fruit, pond, orchard and paddock with sheep and hens. Open 2pm to 6pm. Admission £2.

Whixley Gardens, off the A59 York-Harrogate road. Five gardens open including:

  • Ash Tree House with extensive rockeries on a sloping site, herbaceous plants, shrubs and climbers;
  • The Bay House with a densely planted courtyard on differing levels;
  • Cobble Cottage with decorative architectural plants, water garden, containers, courtyard garden and new Japanese garden;
  • The Old Vicarage with a walled flower garden, mixed borders, shrubs, climbers, roses and hardy and half hardy perennials;
  • Croft Cottage (in Green Hammerton) with mixed borders, orchard with wild flowers, a water feature and clipped yew. Open noon to 5pm. Combined admission £5.

Yorke House, Dacre Banks, ten miles north west of Harrogate on the B6451. Flower arrangers two-acre garden with colour-themed borders, extensive water feature, nut walk, rose pergola, Millennium garden and views across Nidderdale. Open 11am to 5pm. Admission £3.

Wednesday

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

Hunmanby Grange, www.hunmanbygrange.co.uk

Wold Newton, 12.5 miles south east of Scarborough on the road from Burton Fleming to Fordon. Three-acre garden created from an open field now with hedges and fencing providing shelter for a series of gardens plated for year-round interest with seasonal highlights. Open 1pm to 5pm. Admission £2.50.

Londesborough Cross, Shiptonthorpe, off the A1079 York-Hull road. Former railway goods yard transformed into a garden with large borders, screes, rock garden, bog area, clematis, hostas and woodland garden planted with ferns and other shade lovers. Open 1 pm to 4pm. Admission £3.