How to tweak your summer flower colour to perfection
Midsummer is a good time to tweak your flower colour. The extra steps you take now will keep your border looking good throughout the summer and into autumn. You put…
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…
Midsummer is a good time to tweak your flower colour. The extra steps you take now will keep your border looking good throughout the summer and into autumn. You put…
Expert tips for planning and planting beautiful garden borders from award-winning head gardener Tom Brown of West Dean Gardens.
One of the odd things about early summer is that I always have to start thinking about what I should take out of my garden rather than what I need…
Perennials are the main flowering element of a successful mixed border. So I went to one of the UK’s premier perennial plant nurseries, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, to talk to…
I’ve been finding out about the ultimate low maintenance plants for an instant – yet long-lasting garden. And holiday homes really need easy-care gardens, because there’s so little time when…
What to consider when creating a beautiful front garden – the architecture of your home, your gate, your colour scheme and low maintenance!
Edible flowers have been one of the surprise successes of the last few years. Many of us are suspicious of the idea of eating flowers, but they do look so…
If you’re buying plants for shade, firstly think about what kind of shade you have in your garden. At least half your garden – wherever you live – is shady….
If you want dramatic garden colour in spring, then you have to grow tulips. And they are easy to grow. They don’t always come back the following year the way…
Do we take daffodils for granted? My Twitter feed is packed with people posting images of snowdrops in February. They’re beautiful. Snowdrops are so sweet and innocent – the first…
The basics of gardening in an easy-to-understand list – find out what you need to know to create a beautiful garden that’s right for you.
Outdoor seating ideas for your garden – how to incorporate attractive garden seating into your design, including DIY and recycled ideas.
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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.
