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Thank heavens for winter-flowering plants. These hardy specimens often have tiny, inconsequential blooms, but they more than make up for them with their powerful, sweet fragrance. I rarely notice the flowers of Sarcococca hookeriana, but I’m always

Whether you’re looking for a bright bedding display, flowers for cutting or reliable border plants, it’s hard to beat the variety offered by dahlias. Dahlias come in many sizes, so there's one for every border, and small forms can also be grown

and robust in spirit) is a bit like a camel: it carries all the nutrition and energy it needs within its pale skin already. This means that it will flower without much help from us (at least for this year it will) no matter how late you plant them.So I reckon

I might move house this year. It’s very early days, but the possibility of having a bigger garden is sending my plant-collecting gene into overdrive. I currently grow plants in my small, shady courtyard garden. But after four years of this, I long to choose plants that require fu...

The sun is shining and the daffodils are out. Nothing spells the start of spring like a mass of golden, trumpet-shaped narcissi.Among the flowering daffodils are some that are only producing foliage. These ‘blind’ daffodils, either side

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a woodland plant, much valued for its fragrant summer flowers. Its low, spreading habit also makes it ideal for growing as a ground cover plant. Convallaria thrives in a moist, shaded spot, and gradually

weather.Pumpkins have female and male flowers. Males only last a day, so remove them as they fade to reduce the risk of grey mould. if sun levels are low, take out leaves overshadowing the fruits (take out all that have mildew) as this encourages ripening

first because I want them to flower this year.Yesterday, the first fat-leaved seedlings of Gaura lindheimeri 'The Bride' emerged. I felt excited all day. These first seedlings are particularly precious, since gaura is one of my all-time favourite plants

in the south-west. As well as feeding my young family out of our back garden, I squeeze in as many flowers as I can manage. This year I’m itching to sow the mouth-watering selection of flowers, veg, herbs and salads on offer through the Seed Club. The moment

. Then water to settle soil around remaining roots.Allow flower stems to form. The small, pretty blooms attract aphid-eating hoverflies and other beneficial insects.Pods should be picked while small and tender. You can collect seeds for next year’s crops once