Planting in the shade
I've been making progress on this neglected area to create a new woodland garden. Here I describe how I've prepped the area and started to plant plants that will tolerate the shady woodland area.
Exotics in the garden
Sound the trumpet - my Angel's Trumpet plant (Brugmansia) is flowering. Cause for celebration and a good excuse to share other exotic plants for Six on Saturday.
Showing Autumn Flowers and Fruits
My local horticultural society's Autumn show is always held the week after I return from my family holiday. It forces me to confront my garden, flops and all to see what's worth showing. I went out this week in search of prize winning entries and found the weeds have taken [...]
Cool blues for the summer garden
Blue flowers provide a cooling impression to a garden border in the summer heat. Here I share some of the best blues from my garden in July.
Yorkshire gardens
This week I visited two fabulous gardens in Yorkshire, bringing back ideas for my own garden and some lovely lavender plants. Helmsley Walled Garden and Yorkshire Lavender are a few miles apart, both an assault on the senses but in very different ways.
Exotic plants and snowdrops in July
In this garden round-up I share pictures of some exotic plants, report on progress in building the pond, and plant snowdrop bulbs.
Sweet peas in full bloom
July sees my sweet peas in full bloom. If you're looking to choose some sweet peas to grow - here are my top six varieties from this year. All have long straight stems, good colour and strong scent and look great in the garden as well as in a vase.
Garden developments
A visit to a part of my garden known as "The Old Herb Garden" where changes are afoot and some old roses are looking beautiful.
Midsummer garden
The sunshine returned yesterday for midsummer day. Well watered from over a week of rainfall the plants (and weeds) look fresh and bursting with vigour and growth. Here are my pick of the best of midsummer plants in my garden, including peonies, sweet peas, roses, tomatoes and a stunning border and container annuals.