Gaudy blooms in jarring colours… a clear case of gilding the lilyThere are a few cultural conundrums out there in gardening which I wonder if I will ever get to the bottom of. As someone who has recently gotten into dabbling in a little home-breeding w…
The apple falls not far from the tree
My daughter and I bond over her nearby gardenEvery year, Kala’s nasturtiums invade her neighbours’ gardens. Every year, we sow more. It’s not as if we don’t know they will self-seed for eternity. It’s an addiction I fear I have passed on to my daughter…
Houseplant of the week: Ficus lyrata | Gynelle Leon
In our new column, the founder of the plant shop Prick looks at this highly popular tree, loved for its big, glossy, fiddle-shaped leavesWhy will I love it?Ficus lyrata is the most popular indoor tree right now, loved for its unusual glossy leaves: wit…
Gardening can save the planet. How? Start with your soil | Alys Fowler
Sustainable gardening isn’t hard: nurture your soil, save your seeds … and compostThe dictionary has it wrong. Gardening isn’t about plants, it’s about everything else: the soil, the insects, the birds, mammals and reptiles, and how you sit in this wor…
‘Revolutionary in a quiet way’: the rise of community gardens in the UK
Royal Horticultural Society sets up first Community Awards as community gardens become more common“The first melon of the season always tastes amazing,” says Lucy Mitchell. “I don’t think anyone has ever taken one home – every year, we just cut them in…
Late flowering: the Chelsea flower show is finally back – but what will it look like in autumn?
After cancellation and postponement, the show returns next week. Late-season plants and flowers will take centre stageSay what you like about the Chelsea flower show – expensive, crowded, a little superficial? – the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual…
How to grow next year’s tulips | Alys Fowler
Lay plans now to defeat your most dastardly enemy: the squirrelAs anyone who has planted tulips knows, the first year is big and bold, the second year less so. There’s the myth that most bedding types of tulips won’t reflower in their second year. I’ve…
How to make the most of gardening’s therapy bonus
If you’re finding gardening stressful, simplify your collection and stop worrying about neatnessIt seems you can’t pick up a gardening magazine these days without reading about the measurable benefits that horticulture can have on both mental and physi…
How to tidy up an unruly garden | Alys Fowler
A little judicious pruning and deadleafing goes a long way towards treating weather-battered plants Rain, wind, sun, rain, wind, sun: this summer’s varied weather has led to a lot of lank growth, which means things are flopping all over the place, or r…