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This tropical hanging basket combination is reminiscent of Mediterranean holidays and it's ideal if the spot you have in mind for your basket is hot. The rich blood-reds and burgundies of the verbenas and geraniums pulse with colour, offset

Bedding geraniums are actually members of the genus Pelargonium. Many varieties of pelargonium are used as bedding or house plants.Unlike most annual bedding plants, geraniums are easily propagated by cuttings, so you don't have to fork out for more

Layer long sideshoots of border carnations into soil prepared with potting compost. Make a slit in each stem, peg down to hold firm, and wait to rootWater plants, such as roses, climbers and shrubs growing against dry sunny wallsPlant bulbs of the Madonna

, where the container can sit undisturbed for several yearsMore on gardening for wildlifeProvide late-summer nectar for butterflies and bees.Learn how to identify bumblebeesBrowse our image gallery of butterflies and caterpillarsGrowing from seeds

Free and easyFavouring a more laid-back approach to gardening, I love plants that self-seed with abandon. Here are a few of my favourites...Find out how to collect allium seedsSelf-seeders are the opportunists of the plant world. They may

browning leaves or spent blooms.More hanging basket inspirationCreate a subtle hanging basket display of pelargonium and suteraPot up a hanging basket with geraniums and verbenaCreate a cottage garden look with a display of begonia, marguerite, plectranthus

.Summer hanging basket inspiration and adviceMake a pelargonium, begonia and sutera hanging basketPot up a hanging basket with geraniums and verbenaCreate a cottage garden look with a display of begonia, marguerite, plectranthus and verbenaPlant up an edible herb

AstilbesAstrantiasBegoniasCrocosmiasEuphorbiasFernsFuchsiasGrassesHardy geraniumsHelleboresHydrangeasJapanese anemonesLady's mantleLavendersLilium henryiPelargoniumsPenstemonsRosesSedums20 top slug-beatersDon't overfeed young plants in spring, as this only encourages soft growth, which slugs love to eat.Top tips for foiling

of the soil. Plants suitable for dry shade include:lords and ladies, barrenwort, cranesbill geraniums (left), hellebores, masterwort,Viola labradorica,sweet rocket and mourning widow.Dry shadePlants that will grow in these conditions typically suit boggy areas

the compost regularly to make sure it doesn't dry out and take off any browning leaves or spent blooms.More hanging basket ideasPot up a hanging basket with geraniums and verbenaCreate a cottage garden look with a display of begonia, marguerite, plectranthus