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I'm always looking for plants that make an impact - things that will grab the attention and put on a good show. Seasonal bedding and bulbs are always popular, but many shrubs also grow well in patio pots.Over the years I've tried all sorts, from

The same thing happens every year. I buy my bulbs in good time, and then don't make time to plant them! I've got a huge bag of tulips and other bulbs to be planted, but it will soon be December.Other things got in the way during October, and then I

horticulture. The soil in about eight beds was chemically manipulated by adding lime to make it more alkaline or sulphur to make it more acid, and a hydrangea grown in each. As they came into bloom during July you could see the colour transition down the row

taken down by worms to improve the soil. At this time of year, when perennial plants are putting on such a burst of new growth, I also make sure they don't go short of water. Adding a liquid feed a couple of times a year also helps.It has been

by something else. And so for me this makes them a perfect choice for planting directly into pots over the coming weeks. They can be grown on in the wings and brought centre stage for their summer performance, and then moved away to make room for something more

and make sure any fruit tree you plant passes your taste test before investing money and time in growing it.

, but the cold always gets to them eventually. No, these plants need to come indoors, so I’ll make space for them on the windowsill in our spare bedroom. The aeoniums, sedums and echeverias will enjoy the full light of this south-facing window, with just

How tastes change. Going back five years, I hardly remember ever cooking with chillies, but now I use them nearly every week. They're so easy to grow from seed, but you can buy young plants from garden centres, like the pretty 'Medusa' (pictured) I

). This pruning sequence promotes the development of flowering spurs along the main branches, and the effort really is worth making. Fingers crossed for a frost-free forecast!

will send the leaves tumbling to the ground.Slow-growing Japanese maples, particularly those with dissected leaves, make perfect small trees for patio pots. I've grown acers in pots on my patio for about six years now, using large, heavy terracotta pots