Trees — in all their forms from mature specimens to ornamental stumps — are the stars of many show gardens at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Create a patch of ‘woodland’ in a small urban garden These show gardens are small compared to real gardens. So they demonstrate that…
You may not have heard of a ‘blobbery.’ But you have almost definitely seen blobberies in some of the most stylish gardens. They give a garden structure and interest all year round. And they are easy to clip and maintain. It’s a term coined by the company Architectural Plants, so…
Scented plants tap into the brain’s emotions. They trigger nostalgia, calm, happiness or other memories. And scent is vital for wildlife. Foraging pollinators use scent to help find their way to nectar and pollen. Yet many of today’s plant varieties have had scent bred out of them. While we were…
Do you have one of these forgotten shrubs in your garden? Is there an out-of-control honeysuckle rambling over a fence or a blaze of yellow in a corner? If so, you will have noticed three things. These forgotten shrubs are easy-care (which is why you find them in council car…
Greenhouse gardening can stretch the flowering season, giving you blooms up to six weeks earlier than usual. And although a full size greenhouse can also be a living space – a haven away from the world – you can get the same growing benefits from lean-to greenhouse shelving, cloches and…
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…
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