Search - Articles

There is a tendency among some gardeners to look down their noses at bedding. They sneer at the humble petunia, cock a reproachful eyebrow at a tumbling lobelia and positively guffaw at any sign of a begonia. I admit that I used to share

pictured is Achimene 'Ambroise Verschaffelt', which has an upright growth habit unlike other trailing varieties. You can tell it's a good variety because the Royal Horticultural Society has given it an AGM (Award of Garden Merit).Achimenes grow from funny

for my attention, and soon ending up with a new owner. Then, having satisfied my desire for lilies, I'd visit another garden centre where other temptations — dahlias, begonias, gladioli — would prove irresistible.Pictorial packs are designed

to be most resistant to slugs. Of course, resistance does not mean immunity, but if you pick from this list, it's a satisfying way to repell slugs without extra cost, effort or chemical side effects.AquilegiasAstilbesAstrantiasBegonias

to me waiting to be read. I know that I'll be growing tomatoes, chillies, cucumbers, climbing courgettes, and some of those trailing begonias that did so well last summer, so I must choose my varieties. Planning for the year ahead will give me something