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, with regular deadheading, keep going until the autumn. Propagation is also quite simple: take cuttings from the non-flowering shoots in the summer.I haven't even started on alpine and annual varieties but must mention D. carthusianorum - a really good perennial

overcoat that has now infected their foliage in my garden (anyone know any resistant varieties?).With regular deadheading and watering I'm hoping to keep my sweet peas going a little longer, generating ever-welcome cut flowers.For me it's also one

Irises can become congested over time, which tends to inhibit flowering. This can be remedied by lifting and dividing their rhizomes to give them a little more space. Wait until flowering is over before dividing the iris clump, discarding any old

Lavender is well known as a natural, gentle remedy to help us relax. This soothing bath oil is made using both the leaves and flowers of lavender, and light olive oil.As the essential oil evaporates into the steam, its sweet aroma is released

fully on the plant before cutting off the flower spike. Remove in several pieces if it's as large as this.Have a paper bag to hand for transporting the flower spike as seeds will quickly fall and be lost if you carry them far.Gently tip the bag out onto

Strawberry plants will be in growth to flower and fruit four to six weeks ahead of outdoor plants if potted up now and brought into a cool greenhouse or conservatory. Keep them well lit, ventilated and watered to prevent the plants becoming leggy

. Infected foliage must be disposed of immediately, as the fungus can survive on the plant if left lying on the ground. The early, large-flowering varieties are most prone to attack, with smaller-flowering species (eg, C. montana) being the most resistant

this may often be a weed, you never know what might pop up.And this is where self-seeders - flowers you love, and deliberately let go to seed - come into their own. By resisting the temptation to snip off every faded flower in sight you give some flowers a

Gazania's bright orange daisies add a fiery glow to this tropical planting combination, while the lantana romps away and the sanvitalia busily produces small, daisy-like flowers. The effect is one of guaranteed sunshine, whatever the weather

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