“When should I prune my hydrangea?” is one of the most frequently asked gardening questions. At this time of year, although pretty in frost, the old flowerheads can start to look a little, well, scruffy. And the urge to tidy is strong. So can you cut them back now? The answer is maybe... The key is knowing which hydrangea you have . Below is a simple guide to the most common types and and when to prune them. Mophead & Lacecap Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) These are the c

Roses have a reputation for being fussy, but in reality they’re tough plants that respond well to a little routine care. One of the simplest ways to keep them healthy and flowering well is to prune them during the winter months. Why Winter Is the Best Time to Prune Roses* 1. The plant is dormant In winter, roses are resting. With sap flow reduced and no new soft growth to damage, pruning causes less stress. You’re working with a quiet plant rather than one in active growth. 2

Perennials and grasses are really having their moment in the sun, and I absolutely love them. I’m a huge fan of Piet Oudolf and the new perennial movement. However, I’m increasingly warming to shrubs, and particularly flowering shrubs. These somewhat unfashionable plants do an enormous amount of quiet, reliable work: they hold their structure through winter when perennials disappear, they cope with the ups and downs of our changeable weather, and they anchor the garden from o

Moving house is one of life’s most stressful events and leaving a garden can be just as heartbreaking as leaving the house itself. For...

Over the last few weeks I've been digging out a Box hedge. What was once a lovely green division between paths and beds had sadly become...

It’s February and you’re thinking about what to plant in your garden this year. Perhaps you’re hoping for a bit more colour or to attract...

If you’re putting up the Christmas decorations this weekend give a thought to some of the plants that regularly adorn our houses at this...

It’s probably worth noting that the majority of your herbaceous perennials and shrubs, probably don’t require winter protection at all. In fact, many of these plants benefit from the cold winter reset as an essential part of their life cycle. Plus the winter chill plays a crucial role in eliminating pests and diseases that thrive during warmer weather. But if you have borderline hardy plants, or it's forecast to be particularly cold, here are some ways you can protect your pl

For centuries plants have played a significant role in myths and folklore, here are 3 plants with dark histories intertwined with...

Autumn is a great time to relocate young foxglove plants to where you want them. Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) are statuesque biennials,...

With freezing temperatures making a comeback this weekend, inevitably thoughts turn to the coming winter. I admit I'm a summer person,...

Until fairly recently I'd only ever thought of wild strawberries as a welcome addition to the garden. In my sunny, dry site they stay...