In our front garden, we have a a kind of mini-hedge of Lavender and Rosemary plants that we planted, as well as two large, now quite leggy, lavender shrubs that we inherited when we moved in. I often say that I’d like to replace the large, leggy plants but my wife always stops me. And …
Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ is a tremendous perennial that brings a vibrant splash of golden yellow to any garden for a long period over the summer months. This hardy plant boasts daisy-like flowers with dark brown centres that attract both gardeners and pollinators alike. Rudbeckia Goldsturm is always a mainstay in my garden. It is reliable bloomer …
Helenium, commonly known as sneezeweed, is a herbaceous perennial that brings vibrant colour to late summer and autumn gardens. With daisy-like flowers in warm shades of yellow, orange, and red, these easy-care plants create a dazzling display attracting butterflies and pollinators. Helenium can be grown in borders, cottage gardens, or even in containers. They pair …
Ageratum, commonly known as flossflower, is a charming and versatile half-hardy annual that brings a soft, fuzzy texture to gardens. It has clusters of small, button-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white and offers a useful contrast to many other garden plants. Growing Ageratum is straightforward. It is a low-maintenance plant that …
Small gardens present unique challenges and opportunities for creativity and innovation in garden design. These 16 small garden design ideas will inspire you as you think about the improvements you can make to your garden – whether you’re working with a tiny backyard, a compact urban space, or a cozy patio, Read on for some …
Decking is a versatile and stylish addition to any garden, transforming outdoor spaces into functional and attractive areas for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoyment. The beauty of garden decking is that it is usually is made of wood (although there are other options as featured below). And wood, as a natural material, has an intrinsic warmth …
Nasturtium are tremendous all-round plants for the garden. They can be perennials or annuals, climbing or border plants and also do well in containers. What is more, both leaves and flowers are edible, and can add a peppery, rocket-like taste in salads. Nasturtium are in the genus Tropaeolum and native to the warm climates of …
Echinacea purpurea, commonly known as purple coneflower, is a stunning perennial that adds vibrant colour and unique structure to any garden. Echinacea is an easy to care for perennial that has medicinal properties as well as good looks. This beautiful plant features large, daisy-like flowers with spiky, cone-shaped centres surrounded by drooping petals, typically in …
Summer flowers are one of the main things that gardeners live for. And summer is the season when gardens burst into life, showcasing a riot of colours, textures, and fragrances. The warm days and extended daylight hours provide the perfect conditions for a diverse array of flowering plants to reach their peak. Selecting plants that …
If my kids are looking for a gift for me, they’ll often turn to my gardening obsession as a source of inspiration. They know very well that I’ll be delighted with a plant, a gardening tool, or some other gardening gadgetry or equipment. So, drawing on a deep well of experience in asking for and …
The Hibiscus is a stunning plan that adds a tropical touch to any garden. There are many Hibiscus species, both tender and hardy. They have showy flowers that come in a range of colours, including red, pink, white, and yellow, often with contrasting centres. Flowers can span up to 6 inches in diameter, making them …
The point of this post is to provide some inspiration for your dahlia growing – to show you how beautiful dahlias can look when arranged artfully in vases and placed carefully around the home. And you should know from the outset that I have used AI to create these images. I have increasingly found AI …
When I first started gardening, I wasn’t very interested in the annuals, perennials and grasses that interest me now. Instead, It was the hardy exotic plants I looked to. I was inspired to start gardening by the idea that I could grow bananas, bamboo, palms and tree ferns and create an exotic-looking garden in the …
An outdoor patio is more than just an extension of your home. It is a way to enhance your living space and immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors. A good outdoor patio area can be a place to unwind after a long day, surrounded by the vibrant plants, enticing fragrances, and soothing sounds …
Why grow summer flowering shrubs? If your aim is for your garden in summer to burst with colour and life, then choosing the right summer flowering shrubs can help you achieve exactly that. The right shrubs can be visually powerful in themselves and add to the overall diversity of your garden in three main ways. …
Tropical gardens have long captivated garden enthusiasts and homeowners alike with their lush greenery, vibrant colours, and exotic allure. When designed thoughtfully, modern tropical gardens can complement modern architecture beautifully, creating a stunning juxtaposition of natural and man-made beauty. I saw this combination very often when I lived in Sydney, Australia. There, older homes are …
In this post, we look at knot gardens and use the capability of AI to imagine how these ancient garden forms could be brought up to date. In particular, and with an eye on the changing climate, we have looked at how modern knot gardens might look in dry environments, using succulent and other water-wise …
In this post, we’ll look at some of the reasons why you might want to grow orange dahlias, as well as 10 of the best orange dahlias to grow. Why grow orange dahlias? I always think that orange dahlias are offer a burst of colour that captures the essence of summer, especially when they catch …
Spring is the time of renewal and hope being rewarded and, in my opinion, the spring flowering plants featured in this post are responsible for a lot of positivity we feel in Spring. As a gardener I long for Spring to come and spend hours scanning my garden in late winter for the first signs …
The images in this post were created by AI. I asked the AI image creator to imagine some ideas for perennial garden designs. As with a previous post on modern perennial garden designs, I asked for some designs inspired by Piet Oudolf, the Dutch designer famed for his naturalistic planting style. This style accentuates organic, …