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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

around the roots. Remove the rose from the watering can and gently water around the plants, not over them. If any gaps appear between the roots of the plants, simply add a little more compost, then water again.More on growing herbsCreate a pot display

AstilbesAstrantiasBegoniasCrocosmiasEuphorbiasFernsFuchsiasGrassesHardy geraniumsHelleboresHydrangeasJapanese anemonesLady's mantleLavendersLilium henryiPelargoniumsPenstemonsRosesSedums20 top slug-beatersDon't overfeed young plants in spring, as this only encourages soft growth, which slugs love to eat.Top tips for foiling

, or show off their blooms with decorative mulches in pots.Our favourite varietiesThe rose-pink flowers of T. platystigma bear traces of orange running through the petals, becoming clearer towards the margins. Height 60cm.Tulipa platystigmaThis species

by tying them in to the hedge with a strong rope.Pruning and shaping your plantsViburnum, with Chris BeardshawShrub roses, with Monty DonPruning plantsBox topiaryBrowse a variety of deciduous treesView a selection of hazel plants

whipped up. So I’ve been battling the elements again, trying to re-fix my cloches and pop-up covers to the ground. But the soil is so wet that the usually efficient pegs just don’t work. I’ve also had to tie in a large wild rose, whose flailing stems had

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

flowers of summer bedding plants, such as this French marigold, can be simply pinched off between finger and thumb. Alternatively, use scissors or florists' snips.Cluster-flowered roses should be deadheaded regularly so that the plant's energy

blown away by their scent. I also like Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’, which produces clusters of tiny rose-pink flowers on bare stems from October to March. However, I’ve seen too many viburnums growing in ‘municipal’ settings to want to grow them in my

have been precisely cut from leaves. Roses are favourites but this year our bee is also using a neighbouring golden leaf jasmine. Over the course of a few days the bee travels back and forth so many times it makes your head spin, filling up each hollow