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and have been fascinated by it ever since. It is not a friendly plant - in fact it is quite hostile when you get in close. The stubbly leaves can reach a diameter of about six feet and are supported by thick, thorny stems. The flowers are odd

it together to form a stiff paste.Using a trowel, place a 2.5cm layer of concrete into the bottom of the larger cardboard box. Ensure the concrete is spread into the corners.Cut a piece of small-gauge wire mesh to fit the bottom of the box. Place it on top

.But look how many plants are named after snow! Snow-themed cultivars include Alyssum 'Snowdrift'; Incarvillea delavayi 'Snowtop' and Leucanthemum x superbum 'Snowcap', though ironically, they all bloom in the summer. We've all heard of the snowdrop

A hazel-pole trellis is a beautiful way to show off your climbing plants. Simple to construct, it oozes rustic charm, adding interest to a drab wall or fence.1.8m hazel poles6mm sisal ropeAllow about 7 poles and 75cm of rope per 30cm depth of screen

bouts of windy weather, they haven't required any support (larger varieties do sometimes need some help, though) and they've needed very little feeding. I just couldn't imagine being without ornamental alliums. And their close relatives garlic, onion

certainly flourished. It also provides support for a Clematis viticella planted alongside, and I loosely train new shoots up the camellia as they grow.Next come two camellias growing in raised beds in a shaded position. I built low brick walls to create

to remember to do and deadhead about 75% and leave some of the hips, thereby getting the best of both worlds. These are quite big shrubs, which grow to approximately 1.5m height and spread; the foliage is glossy (slightly bronzed when young) and the plants

keep this in mind when developing my veg plot. Put simply, companion plants are any plants that provide a benefit to their neighbours.Broadly speaking this could include providing shelter from strong winds, support to help them climb, or shade from

could upset the fine balance between local plants and the wildlife they support (which will also have evolved with their local environment).It's not just wildlife that benefits from locally grown plants. Many gardens will now be looking a little bare

nest underground in old mouse or vole burrows - which this project mimics.Flowerpot, 20cm in diameterTube or piping, 30cm length x 1.8cm diameterChicken wireSlate or tileNesting materialall year round30 minutesSelect a generous amount of nesting