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Chris Beardshaw demonstrates how to lift and divide congested clumps of autumn-flowering Nerine bowdenii, and suggests growing Nerine sarniensis in a pot. springhalf an hourMore advice on growing flowersBrowse a selection of tender perennial plants

Thanks to their cheery flowers, which come in a wide range of colours, primulas are one of our most popular spring bedding plants. Once this display is over, plant everything out into a damp spot in the garden.September - early November

Protect tender plants for winterThe trend for growing exotic looking plants in our gardens means that some of them may need protection from the worst of the winter cold and wet. Wrap half hardy bananas, palms and tree ferns with fleece, straw

, woody rhizomes and replanting only young, healthy plants into freshly-prepared soil. IrisesGarden forkSharp knifeTrowelJuly - August30 minutesUse a fork to dig up a congested clump of irises. Ease the plants from the soil, taking care not to spike

.December - Januarywinteran hourSnowdrop, Galanthus elwesii 10cm pot x3Ophiopogon nigrescens x2Convolvulus cneorumPeat free, multi-purpose compost25cm terracotta potMetallic silver paintPolystyrene or crocksCover your garden table with newspaper and spray a clean pot

Surround your roses with strongly scented companion plants, such as lavender, thyme, rue and garlic chives, to help keep aphids at bay. While gardeners are attracted by their beauty, rose pests are deterred by the herbs' strong scents. March - April

in shape and involves pruning the soft, current season's growth before it has chance to become woody.Secateurslate-June - mid-August 50 minutes for medium-sized tree Cut back the leading shoots of each branch by half their length to encourage the production

Thanks to our warmer climate, most of us can now enjoy traditionally tropical plants in our summer gardens. Canna 'Tropicanna' is surprisingly tough for such a lush-looking plant, and can survive outdoors all year round (with a little protection

to the wall before planting it up. Pop a handful of crocks into the bottom, then half fill it with compost.Plant the strawberries at the back of the pot, then plant the fleabane along the front. Tuck the compost around the plants' roots and firm

, then half fill it with gritty compost.Knock the palm from its pot and stand it on the compost in the centre of the container. Top it up with compost, firming it around the rootball with your fingers.Finish with a decorative mulch of gravel or pebbles