What makes a good wildlife garden?
How to create a wildlife garden: expert tips on how to create the four essentials – access, food, water and shelter for wildlife
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…
How to create a wildlife garden: expert tips on how to create the four essentials – access, food, water and shelter for wildlife
We are not a chainsaw household. However, we do have six or seven trees in the garden. We have them professionally pruned, but pay extra to have the wood chopped…
Can I tempt you with pink Christmas table decorations? We’ve come in from the garden this week (having cut armfuls of ivy, eucalyptus and birch twigs). And it’s time to…
A Christmas or Thanksgiving twig wreath is easy, quick and stylish. It’s the ultimate rustic twig wreath. But it’s also quite contemporary and would fit well in modern, pared-back look….
Christmas garden decorations. Do you love them, or do you worry about light pollution? Decorating your garden at Christmas is a trend that has crept over from the US. When…
Top tips for planting a winter garden – how to choose plants that will make your garden look beautiful all year round!
Can you really cram the essentials of garden design into one day – let alone one blog post? I was invited to join the KLC School of Design on their…
I’ve just heard some really inspiring garden design ideas from Andy Sturgeon, winner of nearly 40 national and international garden design awards. And everything he said was not only inspiring,…
Are you thinking of buying a new garden shed? Is your current garden shed looking tatty? Do you need more garden shed storage? But before you spend any money on…
Sudden tree death is a particular tragedy for small and middle-sized gardens. We only have a few trees. And each one is special. We have a smokebush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace’)…
Is there really such a thing as easy home-made compost? Don’t you have to get the proportions right? And what about the long and complicated list of things you can…
There are many good reasons for choosing hedges for privacy. Evergreen hedges provide food and shelter for wildlife all year round. Like trees, they’re good for the environment generally, because…
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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.
