For spring colour – just add bulbs!
Now that the clocks have changed and the last of the leaves are being blown off the trees by autumn winds and heavy showers, it’s hard not to get a little down by the thought of a dreary winter with … Continued
Adding lighting to your garden
Garden lighting adds an extra dimension to the enjoyment of your garden. During the summer months and well into autumn, your time spent outside can extend well into the dusk and beyond, as lighting enables you to not just see … Continued
How to grow… Irises
Irises are stunning flowers that offer a huge range of colours, impact, form and often scent as well. This last aspect is often not mentioned when discussing or offering irises for sale, so it hit me somewhat by surprise when … Continued
Garden inspiration for autumn
Many of our gardens start to wane at this time of year, with the flowering plants beginning to flop and looking sad. English gardens tend to be at their best in early summer, with the fresh flush of growth, full … Continued
The incredible healing power of nature
The coronavirus crisis has affected our lives in many ways. One of them has been overwhelmingly positive in that it has forced us to rethink how we live. Many people, after an enforced stay at home for many weeks, have … Continued
If I could grow just one edible…
It would have to be these Tulameen raspberries. They take up very little space, and are so profuse, so large and so delicious. The best tasting raspberry I have ever eaten. They fruit from mid June until the end of … Continued
Growing food in a small space – 5 top tips
Artchokes in flower are bee heaven. Now we’re getting used to spending more time at home, and having spent weeks worrying about shortages of food supply, many people’s thoughts have turned to growing their own food. As the Coronavirus crisis … Continued
How to ensure beautiful blooms on your Wisteria
Wisteria is such a classic climber, the essence of an English early summer garden. Laden with pendulous blooms in May and into June, these plants add beauty, colour, scent and a little natural wildness to any garden. Often they can … Continued
12 reasons why you should consider using a Garden Designer
Calling in a professional garden designer has many advantages over taking on the planning of your garden yourself. Even if you’re familiar with plants and how to grow them, a garden designer can add to the planning and design of … Continued
Great plants for a late summer flush
From late July into August, many gardens can start to look a bit tired. The first flush of blooms has passed and the exuberance of fresh foliage has started to yellow and look a little tatty. Here’s some tips from … Continued
Gorgeous planting combinations for June
For many people, gardens are all about the plants. But looking at individual plants in isolation is like a chef only choosing one ingredient based on its taste and ignoring the rest of the dish. It is when plants are … Continued
How to cheat and grow gorgeous plants without the fuss.
Some plants are real divas. They’re fussy customers that like lots of attention and demand that you spend hours catering for their every need. Feeding, staking, fending off pests, mollycoddling them over the winter – you’ll spend more time worrying … Continued
Dreaming of a living roof? Here’s what you need to know
If you’re thinking of greening a roof, you can be reassured that it’s easier than you may think. We managed to install one in a couple of hours for a very happy customer last week. But before we got to … Continued
How to beat the slugs at their own game
Slugs. Hate them or despise them, it’s difficult not to loathe them. They have a habit of knowing when to turn up, just in time to eat the freshest shoots, the choicest foliage and destroy your prized flowers and vegetables completely. … Continued