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in the winter to stop the phormium's roots freezing.More container ideas for shade-loving plantsGrowing shade-tolerant begonia and plectranthus in a container.Brightening a shady corner with begonia and pelargonium.Growing shade-loving hostas and ferns.

Watch Carol Klein as she guides you through the process of propagating delphiniums, campanulas and lupins; from taking basal cuttings and potting them on, to how to stake them.springMore advice on propagating plantsTaking begonia leaf cuttings

Plant strawberry runners in hanging baskets, which you can grow in the greenhouse to produce an early summer crop Order seedlings and bedding plants from mail-order suppliersSow dwarf French beans in a large pot for an early crop in JunePlant lily

Plant out tender summer-bedding plants, such as begonias, once all risk of frost has passedLook out for aphids on lupins, and spray with a soap-based insecticide if infectedPush canes into pots of tall-growing lilies and tie their stems

Hang up yellow sticky traps to monitor and control whitefly and other flying pestsFeed begonias and other plants in potsTreat red spider mite with a biological controlTie ripening melons to sturdy supportsPot on rooted cuttings to keep plants growing

Feed tomatoes in growing bags and pots with a liquid high-potash fertiliser Plant nerines, lachenalia and veltheimia bulbs in potsTake leaf cuttings from begonias, Cape primroses and African violetsSow winter lettuces in potsPot up clumps of chives

Bring aeoniums and other tender succulents under cover for winter Empty begonia tubers from pots, clean off the compost and store somewhere dark and dryWater plants more sparingly now conditions are getting coolerWash off all shade paint and remove

them tightly each eveningBring dormant cyclamen in pots back into growth by wateringClear out old crops and growing bags, adding material to the compost heapStop watering pots of begonia, gloxinia, achimene, gloriosa, eucomis and other summer bulbs

Sow sweet peas and pinch out the growing tips of seedlings for bushier plants Continue harvesting chillies, peppers and other cropsReduce watering potted tuberous begonias to allow the top growth to die downBring pots of tender bulbs like agapanthus

A shady garden might seem like a challenge, but in reality there's a huge range of plants suitable for growing in dark places. This container display is made using a boldselection of plants, combining different leaf forms, colours and textures