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from time to time is to lift and divide our plants. Large, congested clumps need gently lifting completely, like with my hardy geraniums, hostas, phlox, campanula and others.Healthy, young outer portions can be teased or cut away to be replanted

in the garden, although they could have been cut for indoor display.Another variety to consider is Zinnia marylandica 'Zahara Starlight Rose' (pictured left), a beautiful bicolour variety that has resistance to leaf spot and mildew disease, that can sometimes

close second only to roses, according to a recent survey of florists. And as with any 'easy-to-grow' plant, it divides gardeners in the same way that gladioli, dahlias and many others do.Horticultural snobs may give them a wide berth as they search out

perennial plants have soared upwards, and being preoccupied with other parts of the garden I took my eye off the ball. Now these perennials, including my delphiniums, have grown too tall to comfortably drop a metal plant support frame over the top

they get going. I have a few which are so embedded in the roots of other plants that all I can do is cut them down each year.However, they are a constant reminder of the impermanence of man (if you would excuse me for getting a bit philosophical for a

A tree will add height, colour and architectural interest to a garden scheme and, if planted properly, should provide many years of enjoyment. In winter, bare-rooted plants become available - a cheaper alternative to ones in pots. Winter

through to late-spring under cover, whether in the greenhouse or on a windowsill. All of them appreciate the extra light outside in the summer garden. For stability, all are potted into terracotta pots, as plants in plastic ones blow over far too easily

and their exuberance. By 'big' I mean something that dwarfs its neighbours and reaches at least 2m high. I have five such plants in my garden.The first is Inula magnifica. I can see the cheerful, shaggy yellow flowers from my office and they never cease to amuse me

times their own depth - to get them flowering again. It's also important to remove faded blooms to avoid the plants wasting energy on seed production, then wait at least six weeks before cutting back the foliage, as the leaves convert the sun's energy

, July or August, depending on the variety. Very young plants may need a year to become established before they flower.After flowering, cut away the old stems at their base to tidy up the display and prevent the plants wasting their energy by producing