Winter Gardening

Growing a wisteria in your garden can be one of the most impressive plants to welcome you home. In summer, wisteria has jaw-dropping, pendulous (raceme) lilac flowers that hang like purple pendants. These climbing giants can add a green, vertical layer of gardening to your home. Whether around a door to soften an entrance, grown […]

This guide covers everything you need to know about topping trees, also known as crown reduction, pollarding, heading back, lopping, or simply pruning to restrict height. We’ll look at which trees respond brilliantly, which ones will just laugh at your efforts and grow back twice as fast, and why conifers are in a category entirely […]

Whilst the days are noticeably lengthening and there’s a palpable sense of spring approaching, frosty nights and unpredictable weather still dominate the garden this month. This creates both exciting opportunities and frustrating limitations, making February a month that requires careful planning, realistic expectations, and a strategic approach to what you plant and where you plant it. The […]

Quick Answer: Moving Established Acer Trees Successfully The best time to move an established Acer is November through February, whilst the tree is dormant. Prune the root ball 6-8 weeks before moving by cutting around the tree with a spade to encourage fibrous root growth. Dig a root ball at least 40cm wide for every […]

Standing at your patio doors staring out at that wedge of green space narrowing away into a sharp point, you might be wondering what possessed the original planner to carve up gardens into geometric nightmares. Triangle shaped gardens are one of those design challenges that can make even experienced gardeners throw their hands up in […]

The Flamingo tree (Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’) is one of the most popular small ornamental trees in British gardens, and it’s easy to see why. With its stunning variegated pink, white and green foliage that resembles flamingo feathers, compact size, and RHS Award of Merit for reliability, it’s the perfect choice for small gardens, patios, and […]

While the frost may nip at your fingers, there are plenty of winter-flowering plants that thrive in the chill, bringing vibrant colours, delightful fragrances, and even attracting pollinators to your outdoor space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your journey, winter-flowering plants are a fantastic way to keep your garden lively and beautiful […]

Quick Answer January is prime time for pruning apple and pear trees, wisteria, roses, soft fruit bushes (gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants), grapevines, deciduous hedges and most deciduous trees whilst they’re dormant. The bare branches make it easy to see the structure, and plants won’t bleed sap or suffer from disease as readily as when actively growing. […]

Poinsettias are everywhere at Christmas, their vibrant red bracts brightening up garden centres, supermarkets and homes across the UK. But these festive favourites have a reputation for being tricky to keep alive, often ending up in the bin come January. The truth is, with a bit of knowledge about what poinsettias actually are and how […]

December might seem like an odd time to be thinking about rhubarb, but trust me Ninjas, this is actually the perfect month to start forcing for those gorgeous, tender pink stems that’ll be ready to harvest in February and March. Whilst your neighbours are still staring at bare crowns in their vegetable patches, you’ll be […]