Search - Sitewide

's that haven't come back from last year? Earwigs and slugs can both be a problem as they both like the succulent leaves. I've had mixed results with mine this year. One pot of Bishop of Llandaff are growing very well, while another of Waltzing Matilda perished

could be environmental, such as the weather, or a pest attack that causes physical damage to the plant. Some fasciated plants are actually quite attractive and have led to varieties known as cristates. These include forms of ferns, cacti and succulents

First it was my garlic - a crop I pride myself on (usually) as we get huge bulbs of super-succulent, tremendously tasty garlic that lasts us well in to the next year, generally until the next year's crop is ready...and keeps our friends smelling

produced bright red, slim, succulent and tasty stems. But I've just discovered three flower stalks have grown in my rhubarb patch. If left to bloom, they can weaken or even kill the crowns, although I've never had the nerve to let this happen. I removed

Plant runner beans Runner beans make one of the easiest and most rewarding summer crops. Planted now they'll romp away in the warm soil and, with plenty of moisture at the roots, they'll quickly twine up their support to produce masses of succulent

for autumn interestLift gladioli, clean the corms and store them FlowersMake a cross-cut in cabbage stems when harvestingSow broad beans for early crops next May and JunePut cloches over tender herbs like basil and corianderFruit & vegBring tender succulents

as I look at it. The red flowers belong to something in the poppy family with greyish leaves which is growing behind it. That could be aloe 'pheasants breast' - I inherited one when my son went to live in America and passed all his succulents and cacti

. My favourites include 'Nuit d'ete' (Summer Nights), a spiky cactus variety. We also have 'Chat Noir', which is rather similar, but a little smaller. 'Ragged Robin' has delicate, red petals, and works well when combined with the other two.If you want

, if it holds moisture they will rot. The mix I have detailed sounds madness, and when you water them, it is alarming to see how much seems to flow straight through! But remember, the cactus itself holds all the water it needs, provided you have the correct soil

house plantsLooking after orchids, with a video guide from Sarah RavenGrowing orchidsGrowing cactiInstalling an automatic watering systemBrowse a selection of general houseplantsView a variety of cactus plants