Search - Articles

Why do people turn their noses up at edible flowers? What could be more delicious than beautiful chive heads tossed into a salad? They add quite an intense burst of onion flavour when eaten - probably more powerful than chopped chive leaves

There are nine weeks to go to the Chelsea Flower Show and we are beginning to feel the pressure. We are in the final stages of potting up the herbs into their final containers. I have noticed that some of the plants are rushing into flower early

While the large flower shows are pretty mind-blowing, it's the local flower shows that get me excited about growing plants and vegetables. Many towns and villages have horticultural societies or gardening clubs, which hold at least one flower show a

the snow settled on the floods!All this and it is a mere 16 weeks before we are on site, and 12 weeks before the gardens are built at the Chelsea Flower Show. I always find it a miracle that the plants are ready for the show. It's as if the plants know

This week is the Chelsea Flower Show 2008 and by the time you read this the medals will have been awarded. All over the showground will be the scattered remnants of exhausted gardeners and nurserymen. Some will be elated, some tearful, some angry

of blue flowers it produces makes it one of my favourites. It does well in sun or shade. Height 20cm.Muscari armeniacumThe Siberian squill's fairy-hat flowers of deep indigo blue are held four or five to a stem. They're ideal for a large rock garden or en

Climbing flamesAs summer progresses, late-flowering clematis come into their own, and for me they're as much a part of summer as long, balmy evenings and cricket.There are few plants that give me as much pleasure or colour for so little work as late-flowering

Today begins the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, which is held in the grounds of one of the very finest royal palaces, resonant with history. It is also the biggest flower show in the world. I know this because I've read the Royal Horticultural

seed. Bedding plants benefit most from daily deadheading as it will extend the life of the plants and encourage them to continue producing more flowers through the summer.Scissors, floral snips or secateursMarch - late-August10 minutes a dayThe dying

Growing your own cut flowers is pure luxury, but it's also a great way to save money. I love to have flowers in the house and come late-winter I feel I almost need some spring cheer to help me ward off symptoms of SAD.Cut flowers also remind me