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of nectar for bees. However, once it is established in your garden it will quickly spread, causing particular problems when it appears in the lawn. Plant spreads by underground stems and seeds and produces large drought-resistant patches in lawns, so grass

.The pansies should last until spring if you deadhead them regularly. Replace them with pots of 'Tête-à-tête' daffodils, or, if they fade earlier, with snowdrops or crocus.More seasonal plant projectsMaking a Christmas wreath.Creating a winter display of aster

The orange-coloured stems of the dogwood 'Winter Beauty' add a fiery touch to an autumn garden, and they'll continue to steal the show until spring. An evergreen fern acts as a lush green cushion beneath it throughout winter, while the bright red

Surround your roses with strongly scented companion plants, such as lavender, thyme, rue and garlic chives, to help keep aphids at bay. While gardeners are attracted by their beauty, rose pests are deterred by the herbs' strong scents. March - April

Thanks to our warmer climate, most of us can now enjoy traditionally tropical plants in our summer gardens. Canna 'Tropicanna' is surprisingly tough for such a lush-looking plant, and can survive outdoors all year round (with a little protection

the rootball with compost, pushing it down firmly until it is level with the top of the rootball. Water regularly, adding a liquid feed every week from late spring through to late summer.Cover the compost and any gaps between the leaves with pebbles

violets; they'll bloom all spring in sun or shade and any type of soil.March - AprilApril - May20 minutesHosta, e.g. Hosta 'Royal Golden Jubilee'Male fern, Dryopteris filix-masJapanese painted fern, Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'Violet, such as 'Freckles

Acid-loving azaleas grow happily in pots of ericaceous compost, so you can enjoy these plants even without acid garden soil. They come in a wide range of colours, from deep red and pink to orange, yellow or pure white. Some even have a wonderful

Dahlias come in a fascinating variety of shapes and sizes, and the pom-pom types, with their rows of incurved petals, resemble old-fashioned bathing caps. Dahlia 'Franz Kafka' lends itself - ironically, given its name - to a relaxed cottage-garden

A shady garden might seem like a challenge, but in reality there's a huge range of plants suitable for growing in dark places. This container display is made using a boldselection of plants, combining different leaf forms, colours and textures