Geoff Hodge offers his tips and advice on growing festive holly and ivy.
Winter
Natural celebrations
Happy Winter Solstice. Traditionally celebrated on the shortest day of the year, winter solstice falls a few days before Christmas.
Getting ready for spring
It may be cold, wet, miserable and depressing outside but there’s still lots you can do outdoors to get your garden ready for spring.
Five great winter stem dogwoods
Adding colour and interest into your garden doesn’t just mean you need lots of flowers. Here are five great winter stemmed dogwoods for your garden.
Creating winter drama in containers
Give your faded baskets and plants a new lease of life to create your own winter wonderland, says Geoff Hodge
Why is autumn the best time for planning and planting?
Geoff Hodge offers some timely advice on planning and planting in autumn for seasonal interest.
Autumn containers
Add some wow factor to your pots, planters and containers and give them the staying power from autumn through to spring.
Are trees good for the birds?
There is something magical about watching birds feed in your own garden. But it’s not just about putting out bird food. What we grow in our gardens can be a vital lifeline too. As winter approaches there is much we can do to help wildlife get through the cold bleak months.
Can I grow flowers with my veg?
Debi Holland offers five reasons why flowers are good to grow in among your veg.
How do I cope with gardening in a frost pocket?
Tamsin Westhorpe takes the chill off gardening in a frost pocket with some handy hints.
How can I make my garden containers more festive?
Geoff Stonebanks shares his festive tips and plants for garden containers.
Grow fabulous hellebores
Hellebore winter flowers are the winter wonders of the garden. These beautiful plants have stunning winter flowers and are a beacon of wonder in the coldest months.
Give your garden birds a health check
Give your bird feeders and bird baths a health check before the winter.
What’s so festive about holly and ivy?
Jean Vernon extols the virtues of the winter evergreens holly and ivy explores some of the myths and legends that relate to some of these seasonal plants
How do I overwinter my tender and half-hardy plants
WIth winter fast approaching Geoff Stonebanks offers his hard earned advice regarding overwintering plants
Five great hellebores
The hellebore is a fabulous winter garden stalwart. Specialist nurseryman John Massey chooses five of his favourites.
How can I grow crops out of season?
Vicki Cooke, kitchen garden keeper at the Royal Hampton Court Palace, reveals some historical tricks of the trade to force plants into growth out of season
Should I winter prune my wisteria?
Tamsin Westhorpe explains how winter pruning wisteria now will encourage more May flowers
What shrubs should I plant in my garden?
Viburnums for every season Though their individual flowers are small, and they cannot compete with more showy shrubs for floral display, the sheer usefulness of viburnums makes them essential garden plants. With diverse habits, often colourful berries and foliage that adds texture and colour to the garden all year, there is always one viburnum that […]
Can I create a garden themed Christmas?
When you think of Christmas and the garden, for me the top two things that come to mind are holly and ivy. These are two of the traditional and stereotypical decorations for this time of year. Why not gather some from your own garden and hang around your doorways and window frames to really give […]
How can I learn more about plants and gardens?
Meeting experienced gardeners, botanists, growers and plant lovers is all part of the rich tapestry of horticulture, says Jean Vernon
How do you get the garden ready for winter?
Geoff Stonebanks explains what’s involved in putting his award winning garden to be for winter.
Winter garden joy
Award winning garden designer Geoff Stonebanks helps find joy in the winter garden and shows how garden sculpture can add much interest.
Midwinter at Driftwood Garden
Geoff Stonebanks shares some garden beauty in midwinter from Driftwood Garden – his garden by the sea.
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