THESE HARDY BULBS PRODUCE JEWEL-LIKE BLOOMS IN EARLY SPRING Few gardeners plant many of the 75 species of the wild dwarf tulip, yet they make charming plants for pots, fronts of borders and rock gardens, where they usually form clumps and sometimes even seed themselves. Some of these diminutive tulips, which hail from the Mediterranean region and east into Asia, have … Read more
GATHER AUTUMN BOUNTY FOR FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS There’s so much that can be gleaned from the garden to make your own seasonal display, in the brightest of colours down to the beautiful mute browns reminiscent of this time of year. Even plants that have died and faded to produce seed heads are beautiful, and truly capture the spirit of … Read more
During the colder months your outdoor space can be a safe haven for birds, insects and hedgehogs. Follow these simple tips to make your garden wildlife friendly. For hibernating wildlife, food isn’t so important once winter has set in but for birds the food you put out can be a lifeline, especially as the season … Read more
This is the perfect time to plant indoor bulbs to ensure they provide a fabulous display on the big day. The golden rule is to make sure you get hold of ‘prepared’ or ‘treated’ bulbs which have been primed to flower quickly once you bring them inside and pot them up. You can force them … Read more
Often it’s in the height of summer – when the sun is beaming down and plants are blossoming – that we think about how we want to improve our garden. As we’re sitting outside, we can see what needs doing and what changes we want to make. But award-winning garden designer, Michael John McGarr of Warnes McGarr & Co, recommends planning … Read more
We know its cold outside but whipping out your camera and capturing the beauty of wildlife is as good a reason as any to get outdoors and into your garden. Marianne Majerus, a world-renowned garden photographer and RHS Photographic Competition 2017 judge, provides her top photography tips for creating great-quality images that you’ll be proud … Read more
Get in the spirit of the season and turn your patio, conservatory or garden table into a Halloween spooktacular! Perhaps you’ve been growing pumpkins and squash varieties and can only eat so much pie and soup! Then put the surplus to good use int he display, planting them up with contrasting seasonal bedding such as … Read more
Salvias are fantastic to drop into borders to fill gaps after earlier flowers such as lupins and poppies have faded. Due to their long flowering periods they’re perfect for jazzing up clumps of asters, anemones. Half of them come from Asia and Europe and these include largely shrubby and herbaceous types, but the other half of … Read more
A NORTH LONDON PLOT WITH A THOROUGHLY MODERN TWIST Spencer Viner is a garden designer and landscape architect with a fascination for Japanese gardens. His small, square garden is his outside room and a place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of North London. However, when he arrived 10 years ago, he inherited … Read more
Ask the professionals: Our professional panel answer questions about DIY, eco design, mortgages, cleansing, architecture, customer problems and greater question: ‘i would just like the the front of my domestic to appearance greater presentable for the summer season. How can i spruce it up?’ Caroline Tilston says: never underestimate the power of tidying! We tend … Read more