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. Apricot trees (Prunus ameniaca) grow particularly well there because of the south-western aspect and because, before the invention of the gutter, they got lots of rain - apricots need lots of water to prevent the fruit from splitting.I mention this because

. The stems are at least 3m tall and they bear vast leaves. It needs a fair bit of water so I planted it just by a downpipe on the house so it gets lots of rain.My second star plant is Persicaria polymorpha. It is planted by the door to the chicken shed

there are mixtures, as I'm often told these sell best. They're not for me. Their ‘kaleidoscope’ effect is a little brash and lacking in – how can I put this? -  style. I want to choose the colours and theme my pots to create more impact. Planting several pots

most of them a second thought. Well, that's why I planted them in the first place – to be reliable performers that look after themselves.The problem with leaving perennials alone is that the central parts of plants grow less productive over time

I have always found plants with big leaves fascinating. I love hearing raindrops pattering on leaf canopies whilst pushing through an overgrown path, surrounded by plants that are bigger than me. It is probably a deep-rooted jungle instinct. I have

I'm sorry to have to raise this issue but it is that time of year again. We are in the last few days of high summer as we slip into a mellow September. (Even though you could be forgiven for thinking October had arrived early judging by all the rain

Green manures are the perfect organic fertiliser. They improve soil structure, suppress weeds and return nutrients to the soil.You never see bare earth in the wild for a reason: autumn rains in particular can leach nutrients, damage soil structure

Some of the most spectacular dahlias are cactus and semi-cactus types. With their spiky petals, they can trace their lineage back to a single surviving plant grown from a crate of tubers imported into The Netherlands in 1872. Cactus dahlias are some

into the compost? The answer is partly to do with unclean water, such as that from a water butt. By the time rain has washed over the roof, along the guttering and down the drainpipe, and then sat gently festering in the butt, it has often accumulated and ‘brewed

to work and warms up quickly in spring. However it dries out rapidly and leaches nutrients when it rains, so it needs plenty of organic matter adding to help retain moisture and feed the plants. It's gritty to touch as it's made up of larger particles than