Could you fall in love with Bad-Girl retro roses?
Why not try what I call ‘Bad-Girl’ retro roses?’ For the past three decades, roses have been romantic, tasteful flowers, tumbling artfully over an arch or sprawling across a wall….
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…
Why not try what I call ‘Bad-Girl’ retro roses?’ For the past three decades, roses have been romantic, tasteful flowers, tumbling artfully over an arch or sprawling across a wall….
You may be surprised to discover than gardening is not the same as ‘green’ gardening. Do you – as an ‘ordinary gardener’ – feel guilty about spraying your plants with…
Topiary gives your garden year-round structure and style. And real topiary does not need much grooming or care. Once established, they just need clipping once a year and will rarely…
You need garden cookery books if you grow your own vegetables or buy seasonal veg. They offer lots of easy, delicious recipes to make the most of your harvest or market…
Could chillies be the perfect grow-your-own veg? If you’re thumbing through seed catalogues, wondering what to grow, homegrown chillies really make a difference to your cooking. And they’re super-easy to grow,…
Benches and garden seating are at the heart of your garden. Seating creates focal points, helps you enjoy your garden with friends and offers a place to ‘sit and stare’….
You need to change your mindset – often in unexpected ways – when you move from a town to a country garden Of course, Miranda Alexander realised that country gardens…
Holiday watering instructions need to be clear. You can ask a friend to water your garden while you’re away. Or you can pay someone to to water it. You don’t…
Container gardens and pots create instant impact in your garden. You can grow any plant in a pot. You can use a pot as a focal point, to add instant colour…
Do you have a typical urban garden? Usually it’s rectangular. It can be seen from the house. And you’d like it to look larger? Or to reflect your own style,…
It’s 6.30am on Sunday morning. Andy Garland of BBC Radio Kent is at the front door, with producer Caroline Wordsworth and an outside broadcast van to broadcast the popular Sunday…
One of the best ways to make your garden look good is to find out your neighbour’s garden secrets. Etiquette is tricky in the middle-sized world when it comes to what you…
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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.
