Gardens
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Exclusive: The King's remarkable resurrection of the gardens and parkland at Sandringham
The King took over the running of the 21,000-acre Sandringham estate in 2017 — and in the last three years has transformed it beyond recognition.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Last updated
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'A dream of Nirvana... almost too good to be true': The sweet peas of Easton Walled Gardens, and how you can replicate their success at home
Ursula Cholmeley, who has spent 25 years restoring Easton Walled Gardens, recommends sowing sweet peas now for stronger plants that will better withstand the weather.
By Ursula Cholmeley Published
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How to choose the perfect rose this bare root season
Looks can be deceiving: bare root roses are hardier and more sustainable than potted ones, says Tabi Jackson Gee, who moved to a cottage in Wiltshire and went about finding the perfect plant. You just need patience.
By Tabi Jackson Gee Published
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The trees that are as fine to eat as they are to look at
Mark Diacono doesn't grow many trees for the sake of the bounty they provide — but these are the notable exceptions.
By Mark Diacono Published
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Bothered by brambles and snagged by sow thistles, but what is the point of all this thorny microaggression?
Nature’s spiky deterrents — thorns, spines and prickles — may be quick to catch us out, but they can also prove to be a useful ally.
By Laura Parker Published
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The Tuscan gardens where the English and Italian traditions come together, and Yorkshire rhubarb grows happily beside spectacular citrus
Nick Dakin-Elliot, who gardens in Tuscany, is still moved by the Italian hilltop gardens that command some of the most beautiful views in the world.
By Nick Dakin-Elliot Published
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'My family wore wool at a time when everyone else had cast it off in favour of manmade fabrics': The knitwear pioneer who is one of David Beckham's countryside champions
Julie Harding speaks to Rachel Carvell-Spedding the founder of British knitwear brand Navygrey, and one of David Beckham's countryside champions.
By Julie Harding Published
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James Alexander-Sinclair: Making a new garden for someone is 'thrilling', but we need more sensitive and skilled gardeners to look after them
Pay your gardeners properly, says James Alexander-Sinclair as, without them, you will have no garden.
By James Alexander-Sinclair Published
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Poppy Okotcha, the model turned gardener who is one of David Beckham's countryside champions
Poppy Okotcha, the 29-year-old ecological community grower, garden content creator, author — and also one of David Beckham's countryside champions — speaks to Julie Harding.
By Julie Harding Published
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'I bought it without telling Victoria. She didn’t want another project... I sat her down, gave her a vodka and tonic and told her what I’d done': David Beckham tells Alan Titchmarsh about his Cotswolds home and garden
On an open and windswept tract of land in Oxfordshire, where once stood some derelict barns and a lone maple tree, our guest editor Sir David Beckham has created a haven for his family and his honeybees. Photographs by Clive Nichols and Millie Pilkington.
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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'One of the truly great gardens of the world' is at risk of having its vistas and tranquility blighted forever
The views from Rousham, the birthplace of the English landscape-garden movement, are at risk of development if plans for the nearby former RAF Upper Heyford Air Force base get the go-ahead.
By Julie Harding Published
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How Harper Beckham created the perfect gardener's birthday present for her father's 50th — with a little help from David Austin Roses
When Harper Beckham wanted to commission a rose for her father’s birthday, there was only one man for the job, says Charles Quest-Ritson, as he takes a closer look at the science behind creating a new David Austin bloom.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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'You could walk round it every day and always notice something new': A private tour of the garden of multiple Chelsea gold medallist John Massey
Inspired by his friends Christopher Lloyd and Princess Greta Sturdza, nurseryman and plant breeder John Massey has made a garden in Worcestershire that never ceases to delight, writes Charles Quest-Ritson. Photographs by Clive Nichols
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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Alan Titchmarsh: 15 years ago we planted a hedge — today, it's 10ft tall, 6ft deep and a joy throughout the year. Here's how we did it
15 years ago, Alan Titchmarsh planted a hedge; today, it's 10ft tall, 6ft deep, he and his wife absolutely love it, 'and so do all the creatures with whom we share our garden.'
By Alan Titchmarsh Published
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The arboretum that's been 30 years in the making by a dedicated, passionate family who are dreaming of what it could be in 3,000 years' time
Keen collectors sooner or later find their way to the outstanding trees and shrubs at Bluebell Arboretum in Derbyshire, writes Charles Quest-Ritson. It’s a wonderful sight at this time of year.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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The one website about trees and shrubs that everyone needs to know about
'Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles' has been digitised, making one of gardening's most important works free and at your fingertips.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
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'Nature's loo roll': Verbascum, one of the most curious — and useful — plants you'll find in an English country garden
With its ability to rouge cheeks, settle stomachs and operate as Nature’s loo roll, verbascum is as surprisingly useful as it is pretty, discovers Ian Morton.
By Ian Morton Published
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Everything you could ever want to know about growing, eating and cooking plums
Mirabelles, gages, plums, damsons — the best ones to buy, the ones to avoid, and how to use them. Charles Quest-Ritson has you covered.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Last updated
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'Knowledge, energy, creativity and enthusiasm... He's a sensation': Meet the golden boy of English horticulture
Charles Quest-Ritson meets the best of the next generation of gardeners tending to some of the nation's best gardens.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Last updated
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Revisit the Lincolnshire house once described by Roosevelt as 'almost too good to be true', and later dismantled brick by brick
Our original article on Easton Hall in Lincolnshire from January 25, 1902, allows readers to see what the estate was like when the main house was still present in all its glory.
By Country Life Last updated
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'We want everyone to have a magical time': Life at the smartest flower farm in the Cotswolds
Mary Keen visits the organically run Chippy Flower Farm in Oxfordshire, set up five years ago and already a great success locally — especially its pick-your-own area. Photographs by Jonathan Buckley.
By Mary Keen Published


