if your garden is bigger than a courtyard, but smaller than an acre

Wooden bench at Doddington Place Gardens

English country garden style – what it is and how to achieve it

How to create English country garden style in small or larger gardens or backyards. 15 expert tips for plants, pots, ponds and more.

Updated on April 23rd, 2026

Posted In: Garden Style & Living


Sue Oriel's cottage garden

What is cottage garden style? And how to achieve it…

Cottage garden style means a colourful mix of flowers, packed in together with herbs and edibles. It is relaxed and pretty – but are there secrets or rules you need…

Updated on February 9th, 2025

Posted In: Garden Trends & Design


Spring flowering rhododendron

Growing rhododendrons – everything you need to know

You may not have thought about growing rhododendrons in your garden. They come in brilliant colours, they’re easy care and they love shade.  If your soil isn’t right for them,…

Updated on February 14th, 2022

Posted In: Gardening Know How


Verbascum 'Copper Rose'

10 beautiful pink flowers for your summer garden

Pink flowers are at the heart of my summer garden colour. While editing my photos for my summer garden tour, I noticed that the most beautiful plants and plant combinations…

Updated on February 14th, 2022

Posted In: Garden Style & Living


Iris Edith Wolford

Growing irises – the answers to your questions

I’ve been talking to iris specialists Iris of Sissinghurst about growing irises. Sue Marshall owns and runs Iris of Sissinghurst . They have been one of the UK’s top specialist…

Updated on May 31st, 2025

Posted In: Gardening Know How


Fast growing wisteria

How to choose the best climbing plant for your garden

There are five important questions you need to ask before buying a climbing plant. Is your climbing plant going to be planted in sun or shade? And don’t forget a…

Updated on September 17th, 2023

Posted In: Gardening Know How


Topiary and emerging foliage in the May garden

The late spring garden tour of the Middlesized Garden

I’d like to take you on a late spring garden tour, because May is such a beautiful month in the garden. And I have some recommendations for good garden plants…

Updated on February 14th, 2022

Posted In: Garden Style & Living, Gardening Know How


The best weeding tools

The no-nonsense guide to weeding your garden easily

The real truth about weeding your garden – which methods work best, how to weed without chemicals and which weeding tools to choose.

Updated on February 14th, 2026

Posted In: Gardening Know How


How to divide perennials

The honest truth about how to divide perennials

Do your eyes glide over the advice to ‘divide perennials’ in spring and autumn? I always used to think that dividing perennials was for perfect gardeners. My relaxed attitude to…

Updated on October 8th, 2022

Posted In: Gardening Know How


How to increase your garden privacy

3 top garden privacy tips – how to make your garden look and feel more private!

Updated on August 5th, 2023

Posted In: Garden Style & Living, Garden Trends & Design


Sunny spot for veg

Growing veg – the 8 mistakes you can easily avoid

How to grow veg successfully by avoiding the common ‘beginner mistakes’. If your veg harvests are often disappointing, read this.

Updated on February 14th, 2022

Posted In: Food & Flowers


Where to plant spring bulbs + spring garden tour

Tips from Doddington Place Gardens on where to plant spring bulbs, how to choose your spring bulbs and what to do after they’ve flowered.

Updated on February 9th, 2025

Posted In: Garden Trends & Design