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.Bulbs need enough time in the cold and dark for the root system to develop and support flowering. Use a thermometer to ascertain that your shed or garden is cold enough (it should be around 10°C). Once inside, place the bulbs or corms in a cool, north

Summer pruning wisteria encourages the development of short-flowering spurs that will carry the long racemes of bloom in spring. The long vigorous shoots are cut back to a couple of buds from the base of the current season's growth. During initial training of young wisteria plant...

Winter pruning wisteria encourages the development of short-flowering spurs that carry the flowers in spring. The long vigorous shoots produced on the wisteria need to be cut back at least twice during the year, so you'll need to repeat this pruning in late-June or early July.Wis...

There are fewer gardening jobs to keep you busy in January, so make the most of extra time and plant up a stylish container to decorate a terrace or doorstep. This elegant cube-shaped container is filled with the curly sedge, Carex buchananii

Nemesia 'Blue Lagoon' plants x5Nemesia 'Golden Eye' plants x3Purple-veined petunia plants x3Helichrysum 'Gold' plants x536cm metal basketGrass clippingsCompost and slow-release fertiliserProp the basket in a bucket and line it with moist grass clippings as a

Hostas reign supreme when it comes to striking foliage. All hostas look great in containers, but for something a little more unusual, try Hosta nigrescens. Its upright habit makes an eye-catching patio feature.May - JuneJune - August30 minutes Hosta nigrescensLarge, glazed contai...

The hardy winter-flowering varieties of pansy (Viola) are the best bet for winter and spring containers as they're rarely without blooms, even when other plants are shivering in the cold. The flowers look stunning set off against the golden foliage of the thyme and ivy. September...

Thrift is found growing wild on sea cliffs and mountain sides. It is a tough little plant with short, tufty foliage. In this planting combination its bright pink, long-stemmed flowers provide a focal point from late-spring to summer. The low-growing alpine phloxes are covered in ...

seedsow in February, pot on in April, plant out in Junesummeran hourIpomoea, morning glory, annual climber - seeds or several pot-ready 'Purple Haze' plants48cm urn or similar sized potWillow plant supportJohn Innes No.3 compostMulti-purpose compost

Dahlias come in a fascinating variety of shapes and sizes, and the pom-pom types, with their rows of incurved petals, resemble old-fashioned bathing caps. Dahlia 'Franz Kafka' lends itself - ironically, given its name - to a relaxed cottage-garden