The natural world is full of wondrous visual tricks, from the eerie glow of floating fireflies to the ever-changing camouflage of chameleons. But for me perhaps the most fascinating of all is iridescence – the shimmering, jewel-like colours of butterfly wings or peacock feathers that magically morph their multifaceted shades in front of your very … 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
It’s possible to get a tropical style garden without having to swathe your plants in bubble wrap every winter! These are the top tropical plants for a colder climate. 1. Chusan palm/Trachycarpus fortunei A really lovely palm (above) with fan-shaped leaves. This is a hardy plant and while it is incredibly robust in very cold winters it’s a … Read more
Planning your garden so that you’re planting in the right places is important for growing healthy plants, but even so, pests and diseases can scupper your good work. Catching problems early is key to keeping your garden bug-and disease-free. While you’re watering the plants, keep an eye out for brown, curled or discoloured leaves, holes in … Read more