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With the right plant choices, they can host some of the most dazzling, naturalistic planting schemes imaginable. As an RHS-qualified garden designer with over twenty years of experience, including gardens on some of the driest, sandiest plots in the UK, I can tell you that the secret is simply working with what you have rather […]

Are you struggling with clay soil in your garden? You are absolutely not alone. While clay soil can feel like a gardener’s nemesis with its dense, claggy texture and tendency to sit wet for much of the year, heavy clay soil offers a unique combination of high nutrient content and moisture retention that many plants […]

Quick Answer Container gardening works best when you match pot size to plant type, use proper potting compost rather than garden soil, ensure every container has drainage holes, and commit to regular watering and feeding. Most plants can thrive in containers if given enough root space and the right growing conditions. The biggest beginner mistakes […]

Quick Answer Plant allium bulbs in autumn, from September to November, in well-drained soil at a depth of four times the bulb’s diameter. Most alliums flower from May to June, though later varieties like Allium sphaerocephalon extend the display right into August. They are hardy throughout the UK, require very little attention once planted, and […]

Quick Answer To plant succulents in pots, mix two thirds multipurpose compost with one third perlite or horticultural grit, choose a container with drainage holes, arrange your plants starting with a central focal point, backfill firmly, clean any debris from the leaves, then water thoroughly and allow to drain completely. The key to success is […]

Confused about when to plant what in your UK garden? You’re not alone. After twenty years of designing gardens across Britain and answering countless questions from bewildered gardeners on BBC1’s Garden Rescue, I’ve learned that timing truly is everything. Quick Answer UK planting times vary by region and season. Hardy vegetables like broad beans and […]

It can be highly frustrating when trying to create a garden where the plants you choose struggle, look limp or fail to live up to your expectations. We have all been there trying to grow plants that, no matter how much love we give them, they struggle for a while and then end up dying. […]

Quick Answer Bulbs in the green are spring bulbs, most often snowdrops, lifted and sold with their foliage still attached rather than as dry, dormant bulbs. Planted straight into the ground between February and March, just after flowering, they establish far more reliably than dry autumn planted bulbs, often putting on a proper display within […]

You’re probably ready to get stuck into creating your dream new build garden oasis. You have this brand-new green space that could become something amazing. It may closely resemble the new build example below. Then it hits you. You have no idea where to start, and every idea you have doesn’t quite work or leaves […]

Updated March 2026: Chelsea Flower Show 2026 tickets are on sale now — but they are selling fast, particularly for the final Saturday. This complete guide covers every ticket type, all 2026 prices, exactly how and where to buy, the RHS membership calculation that could save you money, and the insider knowledge only someone who […]