BlogFlockWith striking, heart-shaped silver leaves with green veining, this perennial will create a bright carpet in shady borders. In spring, it produces delicate blue flowers reminiscent of forget-me-nots. Thriving in partial to full shade, it prefers moist, well-drained soil and…
First impressions count don't they? If your garden looks a mess, people will assume your home is a state too. We all know visitors start judging as soon as they step over the threshold, and it's no different in the garden. For anyone selling their house, an ugly garden can…
Southport Flower Show, sponsored by Ramsay Health Care, returns from 20th to 23rd August 2026.
Renowned for celebrating the very best in horticulture, the show continues its proud tradition with stunning show gardens, spectacular floral displays, inspiring floral art, and a wide range of amateur competitions. Alongside this, visitors can…
There are plants that scream ‘Buy Me’ at the garden centre, but the savvy gardener resists that pull. While a plant can look great in its pot, put it in the ground, and that impulse purchase can lead to months and even years of cursing ‘that **** plant’. With so…
Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) are one of the quickest and easiest annuals to grow. They produce masses of vividly coloured blooms from midsummer right through to the first autumn frosts in a surprisingly wide range of colours – not just orange, yellow and red but also cream, salmon pink, burgundy…
The silver furry catkins of pussy willow are one of the first signs of spring. While there are many different types of willow, the one most widely grown in gardens is Salix caprea ‘Kilmarnock’, or 'Kilmarnock willow'. This is a small tree, growing to just 2.4m high with a…
This article has been checked for horticultural accuracy by Oliver Parsons.
Cosmos are sun-loving plants with a long flowering season, from May to September. They fill borders with a profusion of flowers, ranging in colour from white through to pink, red and orange, and they have masses of feathery…