Spring Gardening

Learning how to grow plants from seed is one of the most rewarding gardening skills you can master. This guide will show you just how straightforward it is to grow almost anything in your garden from seed, even if you have no previous gardening experience. It’s incredible to think that most plants in your garden […]

Confused about when to plant what in your UK garden? You’re not alone. After twenty years of designing gardens across Britain and answering countless questions from bewildered gardeners on BBC1’s Garden Rescue, I’ve learned that timing truly is everything. Quick Answer UK planting times vary by region and season. Hardy vegetables like broad beans and […]

It can be highly frustrating when trying to create a garden where the plants you choose struggle, look limp or fail to live up to your expectations. We have all been there trying to grow plants that, no matter how much love we give them, they struggle for a while and then end up dying. […]

I have a continued love affair with ornamental grasses in the garden. I love their height, texture, movement, and long seasons of interest. They are a welcome addition to nearly any garden, and after years of designing gardens for BBC One’s Garden Rescue as well as hundreds of private clients across the UK, I can […]

Updated March 2026: So you’ve got your ticket in hand for the Chelsea Flower Show and are giddy with excitement. You can’t wait to see what’s on offer. This complete beginner’s guide covers everything from the show’s history and how to buy tickets, to insider tips from someone who has actually exhibited there. Let me […]

When it comes to gardening in the United Kingdom, we often find ourselves battling unpredictable weather, with rain being a common occurrence. Coupled with the fact that most newly built gardens and plots come with heavy moisture-retentive, claggy clay soil, choosing wet soil plants can be a nightmare for gardeners. Sometimes, it’s a case of […]

When you think of meadows, you may think of acres of rolling hillside, Julie Andrews, and lazy summer days. However, the wildflower meadow is under threat from the overdevelopment of green spaces. So now, a number of gardeners are looking to recreate smaller versions of these in their own gardens, helping to create a refuge […]

North facing gardens receive limited direct sunlight, particularly during the winter months when the sun stays low in the sky. In summer, they can catch some evening sun along the boundaries, but the central area will remain shaded for much of the day. This position is also known as the ‘Garden Aspect’ or the compass […]

If you’re lucky enough to have a south facing garden, you have access to a plant palette that simply isn’t available to any other garden aspect, along with the warmest, sunniest outdoor space imaginable. A south facing garden receives direct sun from mid-morning right through to late afternoon and, in summer, into the early evening […]

A west facing garden receives direct sun from roughly midday or early afternoon onwards, building in intensity through the afternoon before the long, warm, golden light of evening that makes everything look at its very best. This position is also known as the ‘Garden Aspect’ or the compass point it faces. The soil tends to […]