Chelsea Gold Medal 2013 | BBC Gardener of the Decade 2008 | BBC Gardener of the Year 1999

Phew it was hot…

Last September I wrote about how we don’t really need fancy arbours and pergolas in our gardens

‘Beast’ and drought proof plants

Just as we thought we would be dodging tumbleweed rolling down the streets, along came an inch or two of rain on Sunday 29^th July, enough to postpone our worst fears of our gardens transforming into deserts.

Gardening

It’s not all grim Oop North

We are in the grip of a June heatwave and if it continues as forecast, The Summer of Twenty Eighteen will be recalled with the same awe as The Summer of Seventy Six.

Gardening

It’s garden show time!

What better way to spend a summer day than to visit a garden or agricultural show?

perennial wallflowers and sisyrinchium border

Gardening

Too late to split up?

May has to be my favourite time of year in the garden. The Beast from the East and Beast 2 were only 6 and 8 weeks ago,

Gardening

Say no to blobby pruning

As I drive around Somerset in winter, I notice well pruned shrubs, and more commonly, badly pruned shrubs. Pruning is done for our convenience more than for the sake of the shrubs, preventing them taking over the garden or blocking out the light.

an exotic pub garden with spotlights on the pergola in Somerset

Gardening

Guest post – Decorative garden lighting ideas

Decorative garden lighting ideas

Show off your garden at parties, barbecues and other outdoor events

Gardening

One or many?

I was recently stunned by multiple Hamamelis x intermedia Jelena and Arnold Promise or witch hazel. Planted en masse in woodland at Trentham, they flower in late winter and perfume the airs on still days.