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I have just returned from a very jolly trip to South East Asia. (Not that you would have noticed I was away: gardenersworld.com is such a slick and well-oiled operation that my blogs kept appearing, in my absence, as if by magic.) Mostly I

and marigolds. Specklings of petunia and verbena. Whooshes of Ricinis communis (Castor Oil Plant) and even occasional ticklings of chard. All this as well as huge phoenix palms and pomegranates in great steel tubs. Very exciting, very impressive and miles better

in the burrows. Apparently they don’t much like alliums, crown imperials or castor oil plants (Ricinus communis).I also once successfully used electronic sonic repellers (they emit a buzzing sound that drives them away) to keep moles off a cabinet minister

of muffled hens while others are as small and delicate as the eyelashes of newborn babies. Some flower in May and others in July. Which one should you choose? How do we know which are the best, most reliable plants? It can get a bit confusing, especially when

Persicaria officinalis. I met this plant for the first time at the RHS Show at the Inner Temple a week or so ago. It formed the backbone of some spectacular annual beds - along with Ricinis communis (the castor oil plant), which is also on my wish list

cashmere pair for shuffling around the house restoring the circulation. (I really am getting old and boring if I can get excited by socks.)A small stainless steel border fork. Not much good for heavy digging but for working amongst plants it is absolutely

is so extremely laid back and relaxed.In this garden there isn't much really urgent work that needs to be done. Many plants have done their bit and are just hanging around waiting for the winter; those that are still flowering do so with an admirable air

, cleaning them off and spraying some oil around. There are certain tools without which I cannot cope and others which I hardly ever use. Among my favourites are:1. My small border fork and spade, which are perfect for planting and diddling around.2. A steel