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Reliable, trouble-free plants are what we're all after, and Clematis 'Arabella' certainly fits the bill. I planted mine at the base of another really reliable plant, the evergreen Teucrium fruticans, placing it on the shaded north side so its roots

Is it only the more experienced who can really be successful organic gardeners? Well, it's certainly true that the more you know about gardening the more practical experience you have behind you to learn from, and that helps you take steps to avoid

. Insects you'll attract to your garden include buff-tailed and common carder bumblebees, honeybees, hoverflies, comma, painted lady, small tortoishell, speckled wood butterflies and the angel shades, dart and brimstone moths. Some will still be found

I might move house this year. It’s very early days, but the possibility of having a bigger garden is sending my plant-collecting gene into overdrive. I currently grow plants in my small, shady courtyard garden. But after four years of this, I long

to hear compliments about our stock.There are long lists of things to double-check as we make sure the right plants are going to the right gardens. Many hours will be spent deadheading flowers and removing any dead or damaged leaves from the plants. We

've just rotted off without showing any sign of growth, but recently I've had more success. Now a group of them takes centre stage on my garden table to steal the show, near the bench where I can admire them close-up. With luck I'll be able to let them die

of acers can be damaged by cold and drying winds, but I've kept mine looking great by keeping them out of 'wind tunnels'. At the height of summer the sun can scorch broadleaf maples, too, but these trees enjoy dappled shade, so find them a spot out

them growing. In fact, they prefer cool conditions, which keep the stems stocky. Spoil paper-whites with warmth during these early stages and their stems get drawn and lanky. The stems are further weakened by an excess of shade, and will topple under

At this time of year garden magazines and blogs are chock full of articles about snowdrops. Even Adam Pasco has written one and it takes a lot for our sainted editor to stir himself from his Caribbean hideaway at this time of year. However

Last summer, while doing a spot of gardening at my mum’s, I was disturbed by the sound of chainsaws as tree surgeons pollarded a huge oak in a neighbouring garden. At first I thought the tree was being chopped down, and I watched as men the size