Winter Gardening

Living Christmas trees have long symbolized life, renewal, and resilience, not to mention yuletide cheer! Often accompanied by mince pies, presents and celebrations, the Christmas tree signifies that Christmas is here! Their evergreen foliage represents ‘eternal life’ dating back to ancient European traditions, where people adorned their homes with greenery during winter solstice festivals. All […]

While the frost may nip at your fingers, there are plenty of winter flowering plants that thrive in the chill, bringing vibrant colours, delightful fragrances, and even attracting pollinators to your outdoor space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your journey, winter-flowering plants are a fantastic way to keep your garden lively and […]

Roses are the quintessential English garden plant found in gardens worldwide. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t fond of roses. Whether it be that bridal bouquet, Valentine’s Day, or visits to English country gardens, the rose is one of the most iconic garden flowers. However, the rose’s beauty also comes with some […]

I don’t know of any gardener who likes cleaning up leaves, but in the autumn months, it is something that most gardeners need to tolerate. Leaf mould compost is an excellent way to rid yourself of wet, slimy leaves and enrich your garden with nutrient-rich leaf mould compost. Don’t be fooled by TikTokers and Instagrammers pretending […]

Taking hardwood cuttings is a wonderfully straightforward and cost-effective method of growing more plants. Hardwood cuttings require minimal tools and expertise, making them a perfect entry point for those new to gardening. Imagine being able to clone your favourite plants or share them with friends and neighbours, all when everything else is asleep in the […]

Pruning back herbaceous perennials is essential to ensure beautiful blooms in your garden year after year. However, many gardeners are confused about when and how to prune. Most new gardeners leave herbaceous perennials like Salvias, Heleniums or Verbenas, expecting them to regenerate themselves the year after magically. The fact is, they won’t. All herbaceous perennials […]

As a beginner gardener bare root planting can be a bit confusing. Usually, we tend to buy plants that are container grown and in full leaf (not with their roots exposed looking all sorry for themselves like bare root rose below). However, there’s a gardening secret that enables you to buy plants cheaply, with less […]

Updated 2024: Every garden should have at least one tree, and when I speak to clients with tiny gardens, the apple tree is the one I recommend most frequently. Not only do apple trees provide a rich source of pollen for bees, but they are also beautiful trees for a small garden. The bonus is […]

Cornus is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as Dogwoods. Cornus are common in the UK and grow vigorously here, making them an almost bulletproof garden shrub for beginner gardeners. In fact, you may have one and not even know as established Cornus lose their firey […]

It’s a real surprise that the mighty Medlar tree isn’t more popular for small gardens. Not only is it a well-behaved small fruit tree, but it is self-fertile. Meaning it produces fruits without the need for a pollinator tree. It’s also one of the only winter-fruiting trees, so why aren’t they more popular? This is […]