Search - Articles

It's strange how some wonderful plants just pass you by. I've only just discovered a lovely low-growing perennial called Verbena rigida. As is the way, I was buying paint at B&Q and just happened to walk through the plant area when I came across

One of the best looking plants in my garden this week is the Pokeweed or Phytolacca americana. It is always interesting when plants that are noxious weeds in some parts of the world are regarded as something interesting and unusual in others

cope with this weather - a thermal vest and a good pair of hiking socks does the trick - but my poor little broad bean plants have just gone in the ground and look a bit horrified. Most of thebean seeds sowed directly outside last year failed

On the RHS website (and in innumerable books) is a list of plants that are supposedly rabbit proof. The problem with many of these is that nobody ever bothers to consult the rabbits. No pollster ever knocks on the door of the burrow: "Mr and Mrs

the pretty ones, leaving the others to grow to gargantuan proportions.Broad beans need picking regularly to ensure the plants keep flowering and producing beans, so mine have inevitably stopped cropping. The stems are laden with pods so large they're getting

The sun is shining, I can't believe it, and I'm pretty sure my plants can't believe it either! The warmer soil and increased light intensity have made a massive difference to my garden. Only now, towards the end of September has my vegetable plot

If I followed the adage that every plant in my garden had to earn its place then I'm not convinced peonies are worth growing. When it comes to their contribution to the display I'd have to say it's... brief. Of course, anticipation is a virtue every

In the past, either greed or wishful thinking has tempted me to cram far too many sweetcorn plants into my vegetable beds, resulting in very disappointing yields. This year I was determined to supply my family with a decent crop of sweetcorn, which

reputable nursery but your local garden centre will be selling them at this time of year too. It's best to plant these specially-grown garlic bulbs - you can use supermarket bulbs if you're desperate, but they're no cheaper than the 'proper' ones

I'm like pretty well anyone else I suppose, a bargain is always welcome. Now, whenever I stop to think just how much effort has gone in to the raising, nurturing and production of plants for sale in nurseries and garden centres, I cannot help