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plants (there was a particularly striking group of them in Tom Hoblyn's Chelsea garden in 2009). These have slippery sides into which insects fall and are then digested by the fluid at the base of the pitcher. There are large colonies growing in both

'Medium-flowered cactus dahlia, with sunny yellow flowers. Height 120cm.Dahlia 'Yellow Galator'Small-flowered semi-cactus type, with white-tipped pinky red petals. Height 60cm.Dahlia 'Pianella'More about using garden weedsTake dahlia cuttings Plant dahlia tubers

disease that can reduce a perfectly healthy specimen to brown tatters in less than 48 hours. Affecting only large-flowered varieties, it attacks the plant just above soil level, often at a point where it's been damaged. It causes stems to turn black

that once planted, a bamboo will spread like a forest fire and forcibly colonise great chunks of garden. The truth is, as with all things in gardening, that if you choose the wrong plant for your situation then you are setting yourself up for tears

One of the most important jobs at this time of year does not involve anything particularly energetic or creative. It does not require you to rush to the garden centre, lug large bags of anything, get even slightly dirty or even break a sweat

'bad' plant smells are this extreme. Despite its reputation, I don't think the stinking iris, Iris foetidissima, has such an offensive odour.I conducted a poll around the Gardeners’ World magazine office to discover which plants were deemed 'stinky

New plants at Chelsea 2008The plant marquee is packed with new, and often awe-inspiring cultivars. Here are some of our favourites from this year's show.Jarava ichu, or Peruvian feather grass, forms mounds of bright green foliage with showy, silver

.Cover with fleeceGrow carrots in narrow beds surrounded with 60cm-high barriers of polythene, or fine-meshed netting – this is another good way to stop the female flies finding your crop.Make fly barriersGrow carrots alongside strong-smelling companion plants

the soil deeply and adding organic matter to the surface, veg can safely be planted at two-thirds’ normal spacing with no paths between rows, so you pack lots into the space. You can also use large patio containers for certain crops, or create a decorative

what to buy on the basis of what will thrive in your garden, rather than what looks prettiest in the catalogue. It's best to limit yourself to buying just a few varieties in the largest quantities you can afford. Plant for maximum impact, but not too