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…
Self-seeding plants are today’s top trend. They’re free and easy-care. But do you get more weeds if you allow plants to self-sow? Find out how to balance self-seeders vs weeds in your own gardening style.
I’ve seen a number of really pretty ideas for your garden at BBC Gardeners World Live. What about trying naturalistic, all-green or cottage garden planting schemes? Do you fancy clever…
Summer garden colour from artist Liz Bradley’s English country garden. Plus how Chagall’s ‘friends and lovers’ colour theory helps you choose colours for your own garden.
Is it possible to have a perfect ‘English garden?’ After all, wildness and imperfection is at the heart of the English garden concept. Gardens are like children. They’re each special…
A city garden is a breath of fresh air in a crowded environment. You can create a patch of green can be created in the most surprising places. I visited three…
There is so much excellent small garden design inspiration at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Double decker gardens – make your garden twice as big by having two levels….
Celebrate Garden Day by thinking about changing your career. Garden designer and TV presenter Arit Anderson’s top tips for changing your career to one that you’ll love.
How to choose the best plants for your garden in 2019 – the Middlesized Garden talks about plant trends with Hortus Loci, who supply more plants for RHS Chelsea Flower Show show gardens than any other grower. Find out why shrubs and grow-your-own are back and whether ‘naturalistic’ planting is still the designers’ choice.
In 2022, a sustainable garden is increasingly important. We urban gardeners manage a substantial chunk of the outdoor space in any town or city. There are 30 million gardeners in…
I recently asked Heston Blumenthal for his top tips on how to barbecue for a party. And although it was only a short conversation, he certainly turned my ideas on…
Why do you need water saving garden tips? You probably have rain drumming down on your roof at this very moment. However, we use 30-60% of our household water in…
‘Give it a root prune every two or three years.’ I was given this advice when I bought my beloved topiary spiral. It is the most significant plant in…
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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.
