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the years this doesn't appear to have done it any damage. This seems strange as my RHS A-Z of Garden Plants tells me that this palm needs greenhouse protection and a minimum temperature of 10-16°C (50-60°F).It has certainly been colder than that in the past

What a wonderful welcome to the new year to discover these beautiful seed pods on my Iris foetidissima. They really are a winter bonus, their bright shining seeds last for weeks. Apparently they are not attractive to birds; they don't appear

in the Gardeners' World Awards 2010 has highlighted their popularity.The category for 'Best Plant for Bedding' was won by pansy and viola with a very respectable 20 per cent of the vote. They beat summer favourites like pelargonium with 17 per cent of votes

Although flowers usually steal the headlines, think how bleak a garden would look without foliage. Leaves are a vital part of every garden. Consider the contrast between the lushness of summer and the bleakness of winter, when tender plants have

this winter. Outside temperatures dropped to around -4&#176C a couple of nights ago...chilly for me, but what about my oleander? If it gets through I'll be really chuffed, but if not another trip to the garden centre next spring will reveal other delights

being far hardier.Another trick when growing them in the garden is to plant deeply – perhaps 20cm or more down – so that they’ll get through winter without being frozen. You can often do the same with dahlias and gladioli, perhaps with just a mulch over

, in particular, is a stunning sight in winter gardens. A single plant spreads nicely each year, and mine now forms a bold clump covered with flowers. These cry out to be touched, begging for an individual flower to be turned over to reveal its hidden glory. Who

developing, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a milder week ahead to enjoy these new flowers in pristine form.Adding a few winter flowering plants really pays dividends, providing another reason to get outside to breathe in some of the freshest air

Flowers are not the only attraction in winter gardens. Biennial honesty (Lunaria annua) is a good example of a plant that keeps delivering after its flowers have passed. Once the petals have fallen, enchanting disc-shaped seed-pods are formed

Breathe deeply as you enter my sitting room this month and you’ll take in the powerful, almost intoxicating fragrance of paper-white narcissi.I planted the Narcissus papyraceus bulbs last autumn, in a glass bowl layered with gravel. All I've done