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. It looks fabulous, and helps force masses of rhubarb.The ornamental appeal of forcing jars could be considered secondary, as their role is really functional … to keep the plant in total darkness and encourage new stems of rhubarb to surge upwards

of my favourite plants, one that is very much in evidence at this time of year (there were lots at the Chelsea Flower Show last week): the comparatively humble geum. Most of the garden varieties can trace their pedigrees back to either the Chilean Geum

for the show (yes, I have jars of captive lily beetles that need daily feeding) and will be sharing advice on controlling them.Did I mention the glorious floral marquee with new plants looking for a new home? Giving in to temptation is something I love about

know, is a weedkiller that acts upon the leaves of any plant but becomes inert when in contact with the soil. I believe that when it was first invented the salesmen used to finish their pitch by drinking some of the stuff - on the grounds that it only

, 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

, low-maintenance and rewarding. Considering their price at the supermarket, they are also inexpensive.Don't be tempted to impulse-buy those specimens stuffed into pots that you see in large garden centres. In my experience, mail order plants from

, and you'll see what I mean. Feeders provide seed and peanuts for birds all-year-round. Plants with fruits and berries are grown to provide birds with fresh pickings - especially my cherries and soft fruits, where I'm sometime lucky to get a look in! Apple

to grow, and get started. A greater range of young plants and seedlings are now available than ever before, providing a good alternative to anyone who thinks sowing seed is tricky. However, you certainly pay for the privilege of buying plants compared

seat. The main drawback is that a late frost will wipe out all the flowers for that season.Don't plant magnolias in the direct line of the morning sun as they will get burnt by too much direct sunlight before the dew has had time to evaporate. They need

plastic flowers instead.Does this sound harsh? If you think it is, I still can't believe that the Editor of Gardeners' World magazine let me get away with calling gardeners 'cack-handed' when it came to planting nectar-rich plants and hanging seed balls