Blog

After twenty-odd years of planting thousands upon thousands of bulbs across Manchester, Liverpool, and beyond, I’ve developed something of an obsession with getting colour combinations absolutely spot on. There’s nothing quite like that moment in February when your carefully orchestrated rainbow of bulbs starts emerging through the frost, transforming what a barren winter wasteland is […]

There’s something deeply satisfying about a garden that regenerates itself, returning more generously each year with minimal intervention from you. In my three decades of designing gardens across Britain, I have seen clients’ faces light up when they discover seedlings of their favourite plants appearing in unexpected places, creating those wonderfully spontaneous drifts that define […]

Here’s the uncomfortable truth that most plant shops won’t tell you: improper drainage kills more container plants than practically any other factor. Many gardeners contact me after spending a fortune on beautiful specimens, potting them up in stunning containers, and then wonder why their plants look increasingly miserable before dying completely. The culprit? Water sitting […]

This may come as a surprise to you gardeners, but true blue flowers are absolute gold dust in the gardening world! I’m Lee Burkhill, the Garden Ninja, and in my 35 years of gardening and designing hundreds of gardens across the UK, finding genuinely blue flowers (not purple-blue, not lavender, but proper blue) is one […]

I’m Lee Burkhill, the Garden Ninja, and if there’s one colour that absolutely transforms UK gardens throughout the seasons, it’s purple. From the palest lavender to the deepest aubergine, purple flowers bring sophistication, drama, and an air of mystery that no other colour quite achieves. After designing hundreds of gardens across the North West and […]

There’s something utterly transformative about a garden at dusk. As the day’s heat subsides and shadows lengthen across borders and pathways, an entirely different sensory experience emerges in our gardens. In my years designing gardens across Britain and consulting internationally, I’ve witnessed countless clients discover the magic of evening fragrance for the first time, and […]

When should you plant potatoes in the UK? First early potatoes are planted in late March, second earlies go in during early to mid-April, and maincrop varieties are planted from mid-April to early May. The exact timing depends on your location – plant slightly later in colder northern regions and earlier in milder southern areas. […]

What are edimentals? Edimentals are plants that deliver double duty in your garden by being both edible and ornamental. These stunning specimens blur the boundaries between decorative planting and productive growing, giving design-conscious gardeners the best of both worlds without compromise. After 35 years of hands-on gardening and designing hundreds of urban gardens across the […]

Hardening off is the process of gradually acclimatising indoor-grown plants to outdoor conditions over 7 to 14 days before planting them in the garden. Start by placing plants outside in a sheltered spot for 3 to 4 hours daily, gradually increasing exposure to sun, wind, and temperature fluctuations. This prevents transplant shock and strengthens plants […]

Short answer: If your garden is already thriving with happy, healthy plants, you probably don’t need soil testing. However, if you’re starting a brand new plot, battling persistent plant problems, or growing fussy plants like rhododendrons or blueberries, testing your soil is absolutely essential for success. Why Most Gardeners Skip Soil Testing (And Whether You Should […]