Search - Articles

scandens x1 (seeds or one pot-ready plant)Verbena x3 pot-ready plantsLysimachia nummularia 'Aurea Goldilocks' x6 pot-ready plants40cm potPlant support loopJohn Innes No.3 compostMulti-purpose compostPlant up pots in position as they'll be heavy to move

Sharp knife10cm potMulti-purpose compostRooting hormone (liquid or powder)Clear polythene bagsJune - September45 minutesChoose sideshoots as cuttings, pulling these away from the main stem with a thin strip of bark, or heel, still attached.This heel

the edges.Sit your topiary frame over the top of the ivy plants. if it's a standing bird or animal shape, try to create just one 'leg' at the base. Spread out the long trailing stems through the centre of the frame so they grow to fill out the shape

in earthy shades produce natural-looking effects and appealing textures that will add interest to any stretch of lawn.2-3cm diameter pebblesSlate chippingsA bag of ready-mixed cement26 litre tub trugPieces of steel mesh large enough to fit base of tub trug

in with soft string at 10cm - 15cm intervals up the stems.For twining climbers such as cobaea, sweet peas and runner beans, tall tripods made from sticks or bamboo canes provide an ideal framework for their vigorous growth. Where necessary, their shoots can

when the plants are less likely to wilt, and pot them up as soon as you can, keeping them out of strong sunlight.PinksCuttings compostGardeners' knifeSecateursSmall potsJune20 minutesSnip 10cm lengths from the tops of healthy, non-flowering shoots

wheelbarrow so you can quickly work your way through a pile of compost directly from the heap.8m of 25mm x 50mm treated timberWood stainWire mesh sheet with 1cm holes12mm x 40mm wood screwsTape measureSawSandpaperPliersScrewdriverall year round2 hours

or single-handed shears to cut young topiary or intricate forms. Cut back the young current season's shoots when they have reached 8-10cm long. Cut back to 2 leaves from the base. Avoid cutting into the previous year's older growth.For box hedges and edgings

SawDrill7mm timber drill bitMarch - August2 hoursCut the rods to about 1.8m long. There's no need to be too precise - irregularity is part of the rustic charm. Find the mid-point of each rod and measure 65cm in both directions. Mark these two points

Magnesium is needed to give leaves their green colour, so when there's a deficiency, yellow breaks through between the veins and around the leaf edges instead. Other colours, such as purple, brown or red, might also appear. Older leaves suffer first