I recently visited Kew Gardens’ new Winter Garden and was blown away by the winter colour and scent. Even though Kew Gardens is one of the leading botanic gardens in the world, I wasn’t expecting to see anything in the gardens at this time of year. I had gone to…
Snowdrops (Galanthus) are the flowers that say ‘winter is ending’. They symbolise a garden about to spring into life again. And these tiny, pretty white flowers are almost completely maintenance-free. Plant them and they will grow. Snowdrop days or ‘snowdrop walks’ are the first events of the garden visiting season.…
Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money. And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard. Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources. Recycling can…
The best cottage garden plants have pretty blooms. They flower for a long time and are often fragrant. And above all, they are plants which grow well in your climate and soil. But there are no rules in cottage garden style. You can adopt a colour theme as Tim Pilgrim…
The new Piet Oudolf borders at RHS Wisley are a real lesson in planting design. And whether you have a large space or just a small yard, there are ideas and plant combinations for home gardeners as well as professionals. (Strictly speaking, the area is called the ‘Oudolf Landscape’ or…
Ornamental grasses bring out the best in your border, contrasting and complementing the flowers. But they were considered ‘fashionable’. Consequently many of us overlooked them. Until now, they haven’t been part of a traditional herbaceous border. But now we increasingly appreciate that ornamental grasses add light, texture and movement to…
Garden art and sculpture creates year-round atmosphere and interest in your garden. A sculpture will look as beautiful in the winter as in the summer. It can create a focal point or define a part of the garden. Or it can add contrast or highlight a theme. And when you…
Long flowering plants mean that you can extend your summer colour right through to autumn. And even to the first frosts of winter. Quentin Stark, head gardener at Hole Park Gardens in Kent, was asked to re-design the garden’s Centenary Gardens. He was given the brief ‘a bowl of colour’…
Eco-friendly garden design can save you money on landscaping. It can also make your garden look more individual, reflecting your personal style. And if you want to be more sustainable or encourage wildlife and biodiversity, then the design of your garden is an essential starting point. So I visited the…
You can grow wildflowers in a border, a pot and a window box as well as in a meadow. A good wildflower seed mix can keep colour going with changing flowers for months at a time. And the cost of a few packets of seeds makes this a cheap way…
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