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Chris Beardshaw demonstrates how to lift and divide congested clumps of autumn-flowering Nerine bowdenii, and suggests growing Nerine sarniensis in a pot. springhalf an hourMore advice on growing flowersBrowse a selection of tender perennial plants

Replenish gravel and grit mulches around alpine plantsPut slug barrier products around the tender new shoots of hostas and perennialsDig plenty of compost into heavy clay soilsCut down marginal plants around ponds, and mulch with compost or bark

Plant tender crops outside, covering them with cloches when night temperatures fallDig out perennial weeds, such as couch grass and bindweed, from borders as soon as you spot themWash dust off the foliage of houseplants, and apply leaf shine product

or perennialsSpread a thick mulch of bark over the crown of tender plants, such as fuchsias, dahlias and cannasPrune summer-flowering clematis, cutting stems back to emerging buds close to soil level

Deadhead flowers of lady's mantle before they set seedWater camellias to make sure they don't dry out while the flower buds are developingBuy bulbs for autumn planting including tulips, narcissus, alliums, iris and crocusTake cuttings from tender

Collect seed from allium seedheads and sow straight away into seed compostPlant evergreen shrubs and conifer hedgesCarefully dig up gladioli corms and overwinter in cool, dry storage conditionsLift and pot up tender perennials to protect over winter

wallflowers, interspersing with taller-growing tulipsPile a thick mulch of compost or bark around hardy fuchsias to protect them from frostMove shrubs, including conifers and evergreens, that have outgrown their positionPot up tender perennials from summer

tender perennials, like fuchsias, from summer displays and bring into the greenhouseRaise roller blinds, but roll them back down on very bright daysLet sweet peppers develop their full colour and size before pickingLook out for pests and diseases

Around the gardenTake cuttings from pansies and violasPot up tender perennials grown outside Prune rambling roses after floweringFlowersFinish summer pruning trained apple and pear treesHarvest apples, pears, plums and gages as they ripenSave seeds from varieties

Train cucumbers and prune back sideshootsPick off flowers on coleus to maintain their colourful leavesWater tomatoes regularly to prevent fruits from splittingTake cuttings from fuchsias, coleus, pelargoniums, marguerites and other tender perennials