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or greenhouse then it is well worth the effort.There is always something going on at Wisley, some sort of new development or improvement, and this time it is the continuing construction of a new rose garden designed by multi-Gold medal winner, Robert Myers

, for those of you who have not met it before, is the most phenomenally over-the-top cherry tree. A vast amount of frothy white blossom that is spectacular for a week or so in May.Here are the first leaves of Rosa rugosa 'Snowdon', a wildish rose that I have

This morning we went for a walk first thing as the sun rose through the autumn mist. The fields were heaving with young partridge, a small mouse looked impertinently at us from the compost heap, a flight of ducks got up from the pond and the trees

to inject a note of optimism the second picture, below, is of the same area in May - so all is not lost).Now is the time start the big chop back in readiness for the spring. Over the next few weeks I will be cutting back pretty much everything, pruning roses

tufted economy blend.Last year was not a good year as there was too much rain and general bleariness for anything much to thrive. Vegetables drowned and fruit never really came to much, roses were battered by showers and meadows were flattened. Thank

things that they did not touch: a short list consisting of Taxus baccata (yew), Cornus alba (Dogwood), Euonymus europaeus (Spindle) and Buxus sempervirens (Box). Secondly things that they adored: Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese laurel), Roses, Hydrangea

In the words of Benny Hill: "I'll never know how a rose can smell so sweet and pure, And hold its head up high when it's standing in manure!".Old Benny cannot have been much of a gardener (a statement borne out by the fact that he lived all his life

mother, who got it from somebody else, etc. Such is the way with shared plants; they lose their smart Linnaean names along the way and become known as 'Granny's rose' or 'Auntie's violet'. If you know what it is, then I'd love to know.

My garden - like yours - is looking fantastic at the moment. Plants that were just poking from cold ground a couple of months ago are now enormous and luxuriant. Bees buzz, roses overflow and lawns are lush.Rather than just brag, I thought I

leather. Sadly, I don't have manicures or baby-soft palms that require protection, but I do need gloves that aren't easily pierced by rose thorns.The very best pair I've ever owned was given to me by my brother, who found them in a truckstop somewhere near