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What an odd assortment of weather we've had this year. In just 12 months my garden has experienced heavy snow, a spring heatwave followed by a drab, damp summer, then a second heatwave in autumn. Some parts of the country have experienced drought

When I was at school we used to sing a song (to the tune of Men of Harlech) which went "Tramp up Snowdon, with our woad on. Never mind if we get rained or snowed on!" It was a sort of homage to our hardy ancestors running around painted with blue

I don't know about you lot but I'm extremely bored of snow, frost and cold, and I need something distinctly unwintery to lift my spirits.I could eat a lot of chocolate, which would be comforting, though probably not a very good idea if I wish

Why is it that we have no trouble expressing our dislikes, but when it comes to things we love, we're more reticent? Last year I conducted a poll in the office to see which plants were 'most hated' and blogged about the results. The response

The snow gum provides year-round interest, with grey, green and cream patchwork bark and evergreen grey-green leaves, which grow longer and narrower with age. Eucalyptus niphophila bears small, snow-white flowers in summer. It will tolerate most soil types

stop to our normal November gardening routine. I would usually be spending jolly weekends doing a bit of light tidying, collecting the last of the autumn leaves and planting the last of the tulip bulbs. Instead we have been shoveling snow out

the end of the 2012 growing season. The reason I’m flustered is that there’s so much still to do, and the most urgent job is to bring any tender plants that are still outside under cover before they’re damaged.I have a lovely selection of tender succulents

to flower.But last spring, thanks to the vigilance of our newly-acquired cat, the tulip bulbs did actually flower. The display was gorgeous. Old habits die hard, though, and this year I placed plastic trays over two low-level planters that were planted

the snow settled on the floods!All this and it is a mere 16 weeks before we are on site, and 12 weeks before the gardens are built at the Chelsea Flower Show. I always find it a miracle that the plants are ready for the show. It's as if the plants know

't get worse before they get better! Last year in February we had snow in the Midlands where I live! Friends in London have been boasting camellias in full flower for weeks, and I'm sure they look wonderful in warmer parts of Cornwall and the southern