The new jungle garden – how to create a lush, contemporary haven
Create an urban jungle garden with layered foliage and bold leaf shapes. Add drama, privacy and a lush feel to small gardens and courtyards
RHS Chelsea 2026 has decisively moved away from perfect lawns, large ‘outdoor room’ expanses of new paving, plants that need to be cosseted and a constant battle with soil and…
Create an urban jungle garden with layered foliage and bold leaf shapes. Add drama, privacy and a lush feel to small gardens and courtyards
Sowing seeds in autumn can give you stronger, healthier plants and earlier flowers. But it’s not right for all seeds. Or, indeed, for all gardeners! Some people prefer to take…
How to prevent slugs, snails and earwigs from destroying your dahlias without using chemicals. These ways are easier too.
It can be difficult to choose plants for dry shade. I have a small triangular area between two paths, where I had hoped to grow rhubarb. It took me years…
I’ve asked top gardeners Steve Edney and Louise Dowle for their tips on how to create an outstanding perennial border. They’ve just created one of the longest herbaceous borders in…
The garden shows are one of the best places to pick up new garden ideas. And BBC Gardeners World Live in Birmingham really focusses on encouraging those of us with…
Resilient flowers are an essential part of a successful garden. However carefully you choose the right plants for your weather, soil or zone, there’ll always be the unexpected weather event….
Gardener, photographer and author Claus Dalby has a display of dahlias in pots that look like a glorious herbaceous border. There must be several hundred pots massed together, with both…
Garden design tips to transform your outdoor space. Plus avoid the two common garden layout mistakes that most amateurs make!
I’ve just visited a garden with a superb sense of place. But what is ‘sense of place’ in a garden? And how can it direct the design of your garden?…
One of the main reasons for visiting a show like the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is to discover the best contemporary garden ideas. They don’t have to be…
If you can plant perennial flowers that bloom all summer, you’ll always have a beautiful border. Of course, we all want what Tom Brown of West Dean Gardens calls ‘the…
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Contemporary cottage garden style – the power of the 70/30 rule
How to achieve the prettiest contemporary cottage garden style – and why the 70/30 rule will make your planting so much more successful.
How to turn a wide shallow backyard into the perfect garden
How to divide up a wide shallow backyard or garden – turn it into a beautiful outdoor space with just a few clever tips.
The really easy guide to pruning hydrangeas
Confused by contradictory advice on how and when to prune hydrangeas? This post makes it easy to achieve beautiful blooms year after year.
Don’t dig up dahlias for winter! What to do instead….
I don’t dig up dahlias to store them over winter. And before you dig your dahlias up, it’s important to know the pros and cons. Do I have to dig…
The absolutely best way to prune English lavender beautifully
Find out how to prune English lavender to make it look better and last longer. Photos of my lavender from 2013-2023 are proof that it works!
How to plant a border like a pro
How to plant a border brilliantly – design tips and practical advice. How to position shrubs and flowers in the best places, plus other tips.
