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you can use iris bulbs; if you wait until spring, simply buy pots of iris. October - November or January - FebruaryFebruary30 minutesIris 'Pauline' bulbs x12 or iris plants x3Hart's tongue fern, e.g. Asplenium scolopendrium 'Angustifolia' x3Bird's foot

to cut and bend, so a whole clutch of cone hanging baskets can be made in under an hour.1 50cm x 100cm aluminium sheet per cone1.5m of thin galvanised wireFelt pen and stringMetal cutters and a small bradawl50cm x 100cm piece of bubble wrapIvy and ferns

Follow Monty and Joe's simple step-by-step video advice to planting up the tree fern, Dicksonia antarctica.springMore advice on growing treesPlanting a bare-root treePlanting a fig treeTraining a nectarine tree against a fencePlanting a small tree

fruits of the Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana add a splash of colour that will last for months. September - NovemberNovember - February20 minutes1 dogwood, Cornus 'Winter Beauty'1 fern1 skimmia, Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesianaLarge, tall pot

This simple container feature uses only three three plants to dramatic effect. The feathery leaves of the soft shield fern arch gracefully over the edges of the pot, making a perfect foil to the silvery leaves of the Japanese painted fern

This combination of begonia, pelargonium and fern plants will brighten up a shady area. Although unlikely bedfellows, they all enjoy a lightly shaded spot and make an impressive display. The begonia and fern plants will provide interesting shape

. The Nandina domestica makes an an eye-catching centrepiece all year round, with attractive flowers and berries, and fantastic autumn colour.SummerAll year round40 minutesNandina domesticaHeuchera 'Bronxe Beauty'Dryopteris erythrosora x2Black cube planter

A birch tree makes an ideal focal point and can be grown in a large container. Its silver-white bark and delicate foliage combine with the handsome, soft shield fern and evergreen heuchera leaves for a wonderful woodland combination

to be most resistant to slugs. Of course, resistance does not mean immunity, but if you pick from this list, it's a satisfying way to repell slugs without extra cost, effort or chemical side effects.AquilegiasAstilbesAstrantiasBegoniasCrocosmiasEuphorbiasFerns

violets; they'll bloom all spring in sun or shade and any type of soil.March - AprilApril - May20 minutesHosta, e.g. Hosta 'Royal Golden Jubilee'Male fern, Dryopteris filix-masJapanese painted fern, Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'Violet, such as 'Freckles