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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 style, floating like balloons a...

'Gypsophila cerastiodesPratia x2Small potWire 'gabion' basket planter, 23cm x 23cm x 15cm CompostFill a pot with compost and place a wire mesh container inside the pebble gabion. Place the alpine pink centrally in the container and position the pratia and Gypsophila

A shady garden might seem like a challenge, but in reality there's a huge range of plants suitable for growing in dark places. This container display is made using a boldselection of plants, combining different leaf forms, colours and textures. The Nandina domestica makes an an e...

Don't despair if you only have a tiny garden. Your dream of having a pond is easier to realise than you think. Our mini container pond is big enough to host your favourite aquatic plants and in no time, you'll be able to enjoy watching the wildlife it will attract. April - JuneJu...

If you yearn for the smell of the sea and the sight of grasses waving in the dunes, try planting up this coastal-themed container. From late-spring, the thrift brings splashes of colour with profuse pink, white or purple flowers, while the lilac scabious echoes its purple accents...

These sun-loving plants make a dazzling combination when planted together. The silverbush looks good even after its white, bell-shaped flowers have faded; meanwhile, the wallflower keeps churning out gorgeous spikes of mauve flowers for months on end. And no summer garden is comp...

The rich copper colours of the verbascum, fennel, sedum and diascia plants in this pot echo the colour of the warm terracotta pot beneath. Tall copper flower spikes of the verbascum give height to the display while the wispy, feathery foliage of the fennel adds texture and moveme...

, white bark will develop as it matures.The heuchera will throw up pretty little flowers in spring, but for extra colour dot some cheerful primroses around the base.More advice on growing treesGrowing an acer in a pot.Planting a small tree.Training a

by a sea of blue campanula flowers. March - JulyJune - August20 minutesMyrtle, Myrtus communis subsp. tarentinaCampanula portenschlagiana x2Small window boxCrocksLoam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 3Cover the bottom of the window box with crocks

Slug bustersSlugs may have voracious appetites but they're fussy eaters too - and therein lies an answer to a slimy problem. The good news is that there are a selection of plants that slugs, and snails, will steer clear of.Slugs will avoid any plants that are tough, hairy and bit...