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Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a woodland plant, much valued for its fragrant summer flowers. Its low, spreading habit also makes it ideal for growing as a ground cover plant. Convallaria thrives in a moist, shaded spot, and gradually

Monty Don explains how to attract bats to roost in your garden by adding a number of bat boxes around the garden. He demonstrates how to build your own boxes and where to locate them for the best chance of success.all-year-roundAttracting wildlife

many varieties and types to choose from, and, with patience, you can even develop your own from seed.Every visit to a garden centre or spring flower show usually results in the purchase of an auricula (or six). We were once lucky enough to be given a

While you can't take cuttings from rhododendrons, there is a much simpler technique you can try - layering. Do it over the summer and by the following spring you'll have the beginnings of many new rhododendron plants.Established rhododendron plantSharp knifeRooting hormone (powde...

Learn how to add evergreen interest and structure to a border using box plants, by following Monty's video demonstration, with tips on planting techniques and soil preparation.spring or autumnMore advice on caring for box plantsHow to shape box topiaryPlanting up a Christmas pot ...

Blue bulbsBlue is one of my favourite colours in the garden. Every year, I eagerly scour catalogues and flower-show exhibits for new varieties of blue-flowering bulbs. Plan ahead so you can enjoy a sea of blue in February, before the daffodils

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

Follow Monty Don's video advice on planting a bare-root tree, including tips on plant depth, staking and mulching.autumn - springMore advice on plantingPlanting a bare-root rosePlanting a shrubBare-root plantingPlanting a fig tree

ditch.I always smile when I see these. They live in the margins of the woodland adjoined to our garden, serving as a reticent link between the wood anemones and the full on fanfare of the bluebells. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Cardamine pratensis

Watch Carol Klein's video guide to planting snowdrops 'in the green'. Carol also explains how to boost flowering of existing clumps by lifting and dividing.early springMore on growing snowdropsPractical project on lifting and dividing snowdropsFeature on snowdrops and where to se...