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If you're short of sun in your garden but want an interesting summer display, try this rich blend of foliage plants. Both the plectranthus and begonias perform well in shade.April - JuneJuly - September20 minutesBegonia rex x2Purple

and texture, while the delicate pelargonium flowers add a splash of colour.MayMay - September30 minutesAthyrium nipponicum pictum x2 Begonia 'Escargot'Pelargonium 'Deerwood Lavender Lass' x2Drill Old metal bucket and crocksCompostWater-retaining gel

in a cool, lightly shaded spot.AdamWhen it's flowered, cut back the begonia and move it indoors. The ferns can be repotted or enjoyed in the garden.More planting combinations for shadeGrowing shade-loving acer and ajuga.Grow plants for shade

This rustic container filled with an orange pelargonium and a ruby red begonia is guaranteed to brighten up the gloomiest corner in your garden. Take care to keep the begonia out of the sun, or it will scorch. March - April June - September20

Summer is the ideal time to take leaf cuttings from your houseplants. A single leaf can produce many young plants, and this technique is particularly useful for foliage plants such as Begonia rex.Healthy begonia plantClean, sharp knife and cutting

The colour combination of pink and yellow creates a refreshing display, blending pretty marguerites and pink begonias with the peachy pompoms of verbena. Play up the cottage-garden look with a rustic basket, and decorate the sides with a trail

minutesLarge, deep pot, at least 40cm tall and 60cm diameterCrocksLoam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 34 parrot's beaks, Lotus berthelotii4 trailing begonias1 honey bush, Melianthus major2 bananas, Musa basjooCover the bottom of the pot with crocks

of different leaves don't immediately jump out, but offer a more gentle surprise as you come across them in the garden.May - JuneJune - August45 minutesPelargonium 'Lady Plymouth' 6cm pot x1Begonia 'Illumination White' x3Helichrysum petiolare 6cm pot x4

Plant summer bulbs, such as liatris, begonia, gloxinia, gloriosa, canna, eucomis and agapanthus Maintain frost-free conditions by installing a thermostatically controlled electric fan heaterBring pots of spring bulbs into the greenhouse to encourage

Plant bulbs, corms and tubers like achimenes, begonias, gloxinias in potsSow coleus and other houseplantsWatch out for pests, like whitefly and red spider mite, and treat at oncePut a mouse trap in your greenhouse if you find seeds and plants being