Summer Loving – a florist’s advice on using cut summer flowers
I’m really into growing flowers for the house now and as well as picking flowers from my garden (which I have to admit does cause me a bit of pain!),…
Statuesque Sunflowers to make a statement
Growing annual flowers for summer colour
One of the quickest and cheapest ways to fill your garden with a splash of summer colour is to grow hardy annuals. These are flowers which you can sow as…
Rhododendron 'Crosswater Belle', a cinnabarinum hybrid raised by Ted Millais.
Expert advice on choosing and growing Rhododendrons and Azaleas
It’s now that time of the year when Rhododendrons and Azaleas are starting to put on vibrant displays of colour the length and breadth of the country. As a garden…
Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill'
Late winter garden plants – highlights from a trip to RHS Wisley
It’s not quite spring yet, but being a hardy Northerner I never let a bit of cold weather get between me and my garden visits, so this weekend I headed…
Daphne odora f.alba
3 great plants for winter scent
In the depths of winter when there’s not much else going on in the garden scented plants really come into their own. One of the top plants for winter fragrance…
A garden designer abroad – highlights from Oz
January is pretty much the only time of year anyone working full-time in horticulture or garden design can go on holiday for a reasonable amount of time - well, with…
Formal topiary at Great Fosters
Get creative with topiary
I have to admit I do like a bit of topiary. There’s nothing quite like a clipped hedge or box ball to add structure to a garden. And the beauty…
How to deer-proof your garden
Aaah, aren’t deer cute?! Well not if they’re munching your prize roses they’re not! I have to admit that my heart sinks a little when new clients tell me they…
Winter wonderlands – gardens to visit
At this time of year it’s very tempting to stay inside, keep warm and banish all thoughts of garden visiting until April. But if you do that you’ll really be…