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Thank heavens for winter-flowering plants. These hardy specimens often have tiny, inconsequential blooms, but they more than make up for them with their powerful, sweet fragrance. I rarely notice the flowers of Sarcococca hookeriana, but I’m always

Streptocarpus is easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Summer is the best time to do it, as plant cells divide quickly, promoting growth. You don't need a lot of kit - just a pot filled with sieved compost, a plastic bag, a piece of string and a good sharp knife. Plastic potsSee...

the winter underground in the cold and dark, which breaks their dormancy, then warmer weather signals spring and flowering time. By forcing, you mimic this process, covering and leaving the bulbs in a fridge or cold place before bringing them into the warm

Growing helleboresA must-have for the winter garden, hardy hellebores flower from late-winter to early spring. They also make great cut flowers - simply snip off flower heads and float in a shallow bowl of water.There are many varieties of hellebore

For a short but glorious time in June oriental poppies come into their own, providing flamboyant displays to enliven borders, says Carol Klein.Most gardeners yearn for a splash of glamour, and the most flamboyant of all June's flowers has

Find out how to prepare brugmansia for the winter, by following Chris Beardshaw's video guide, including advice on how to take cuttings after moving the plant into a frost-free greenhouse.autumnMore advice on propagating plantsHow to take root cuttingsCarol Klein's video guide to...

Learn how to grow azaleas as Christmas-flowering house plants in Rachel de Thame's video guide, with tips on the best watering techniques.DecemberMore advice on growing azaleasPlanting up a pot of azaleas and campanulasLearn how to deal

The Christmas tree is the centrepiece of all the festive decorations. Ensure your tree looks different each year by adorning it with natural materials gathered from the garden. These decorations, made from rosehips, berries and raffia, provide an explosive burst of Christmas colo...

Bulb fibre or multi-purpose compostFlower pot, large enough to accommodate bulb or, ready-boxed hippeastrum kit with pot and compost includedBowl to soak bulbNovember - February 10 minutesDecember - MarchSoak the hippeastrum bulb and its roots in a bowl

Plant any prepared narcissi now and you'll be able to enjoy their fragrant flowers during the dark days of winter. For an interesting indoor display, choose a glass bowl and fill it with gravel, glass beads or pebbles. 'Paperwhite', 'Soleil D