Search - Articles

1) A plant or shrub pruned and trained to grow into a tree-like form, with one trunk or stem that's 3-6ft long before branches appear. The practice is entirely aesthetic, and often used for roses. See Half standard.2) The erect petals of the iris

pull them out if they appear in the garden. Every two weeks from early spring onwards spray plants with a systemic action fungicide.hollyhocks, mallowall year roundCommon fungal problems affecting plantsIris leaf spotRose blackspotRose rustTulip fire

are well watered. Tie to supports as stems developRemove rose suckers - excavate the soil so you can cut them back as far as possibleSpray roses regularly to prevent pests and diseases getting holdPrune the long sideshoots on wisteria, cutting them all back

Plant daffodil bulbs in pots and borders Check roses for suckers and cut off any you find, just below groundTrim conifer hedges to neaten their appearance and control heightEmpty pots of faded early summer bedding, adding old plants to the compost

Buy tulips now while they're fresh in garden centres, but hold off planting till next month Plant daffodils, hyacinths and crocus in potsLift and pot up tender perennials to protect over winterClear away faded summer bedding and annuals, composting

Cut late-summer-flowering clematis right down to soil levelDivide congested clumps of perennials such as asters, campanulas, rudbeckias and chrysanthemums after floweringPlant bare-rooted rosesDig up and compost exhausted summer beddingPlant out

and family.Collect leaves as they fall to make leaf-mould Leave out sunflower seed heads for the birds to feed onCollect up all watering kit to store in the shedAround the gardenTake cuttings of your favourite rosesTidy borders by cutting down perennials past

How to solve gardening problemsDeal with problems that affect ornamental treesAdvice on dealing with problems on rosesMethods of controlling garden weedsPlant profiles of Prunus species

Learn how to ensure that your buddleja achieves its full flowering potential, in Monty's spring pruning guide.springMore advice on pruningVideo advice on choosing secateurs.Learn effective pruning techniques.Video guide to pruning shrub roses

Taking summer cuttingsTaking cuttings from rosesBrowse a variety of tender perennial plantsBrowse a variety of dahlia plants