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but technically speaking are not - a bract is a modified leaf which is often much more spectacular than the actual flower. Sadly it does not do well on chalky soils.Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer': an oddity in that this is a pear tree that produces no edible pears

varieties to grow at home.But for me, flavour remains high on my list of priorities, which is why old favourites like 'Conference' pears and 'Victoria' plums are hard to beat.Now let's just hope this growing season is an improvement on last year. It can

-summerKeeping other moths at bayCabbage white caterpillars on brassicas and nasturtiums.Codling moth on apples, pears, quince and walnuts.Mullein moth on verbascum, buddleja and figwort.Caterpillars on any plants.

as the pustules erupted from nearly every leaf.The pears too had rust - a sight I've only ever seen a handful of times (and that includes working as plant pathologist at RHS Wisley for 11 years, examining thousands of decrepit plants each year). Presumably it

Planting an apple treeDealing with apple and pear scabChoose fruit varieties to grow in your gardenBrowse apple varieties

growing on a grassy bank. It has clear white flowers in summer and very prickly stems. I tend to hard prune some but not all, which means that we get a much longer flowering season. (The unpruned flower earlier.)This is the beginning of growth on a pear

treatment of an elderly pear tree, whilst Matt and I pleaded for mercy on its behalf.After a session on the Grow Your Own Garden stand (which looked just stunning), we're all about to meet up again to record a second session. Who knows what we'll get. I

stripes with age. It rarely flowers, but may produce beautiful pink, puffball blooms. Albizia julibrissin grows to a height of 12m.Albizia julibrissinThe paper-bark maple is a slow-growing small tree with dark green leaves that turn a rich, crimson colour

Things really move up a gear in May when you're growing your own. With a greenhouse bulging at the seams, I can't wait for the risk of frosty nights to pass so I can plant them outside.Tomatoes, courgettes, sweetcorn and other tender crops

, it's the apples and pears that have been the subject of my attentions. As we know, apple trees blossom picturesquely in spring. These flowers then develop into small fruits and then, in June, the tree shrugs and loses a fair few of these (this