Charles Quest-Ritson pays tribute to David Austin, the rose breeder and entrepreneur who passed away at the end of last year aged 92.
Expert Gardening Tips
The trials of collecting snowdrops: ‘Is there no love for a Heffalump or a Grumpy?’
A galanthophile’s work is never done, says Michael Heseltine, as he tells us about his family's floral hobby; collecting snowdrops.
Why you should grow your own potatoes and the 8 varieties you need to try when you do
With each year, I grow fewer and fewer potatoes. It’s not that I’ve gone off them – quite the reverse – but there are so many other delights I want…
Country Life’s best gardening tips of 2018: Wisteria, Christmas trees and getting rid of box moth caterpillars
Our panel of experts includes writer and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh and Charles Quest-Ritson, author of the RHS Encyclopedia of Roses as well as many others. Here are their most popular…
Alan Titchmarsh: The best hyacinths and narcissi to bring flowers indoors at Christmas
Gardening writer and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh shares his tips on growing indoor bulbs to bring heavenly scents indoors at Christmas.
Dogwoods and willows: A new style of winter planting?
Mark Griffiths extols the merits of these bare-stemmed beauties in the world of winter planning, which are both a joy to create and easy to maintain.
Growing your own Christmas tree: Alan Titchmarsh on what to plant and where to plant it
Why buy your Christmas tree when you can grow your own and enjoy these handsome, statuesque trees all year round? Alan Titchmarsh offers his tips.
Across Britain, bizarre fruits have appeared – thanks to the freezing snows and blast-furnace heat of 2018
Britain's brutally-cold winter followed by a scorchingly hot summer have caused all manner of wonders to appear in our gardens, even months after the weather has returned to normal. Steven…
Curious Questions: Why do leaves change colour in Autumn? And why do some go yellow while others are red, purple or brown?
Nature has few rites of passage more impressive than autumn colour. Chiefly a phenomenon of plants found in cool or temperate climes, the transition begins as daylight hours decrease and…
Alan Titchmarsh: Cyclamen, October colour and Nature’s most extraordinary colour clash
Our columnist Alan Titchmarsh reflects on the ups and downs of Autumn gardening, where this rag bag of a season occasionally gives us reasons to be joyous.
Japanese knotweed: How a delicate bloom beloved of the Victorians became a modern British scourge
Japanese knotweed took Britain by storm in the 19th century as a beautiful and highly-prized plant that was hugely fashionable. More recently it's had a very different impact, as Mark…
Sarah Raven: ’15 years ago we couldn’t sell a dinner-plate-sized dahlia for love nor money’
The expert plantswoman tells us all about dahlia trends and gives advice for the best colours to use in 2019. Tiffany Daneff reports.
Alan Titchmarsh: How to make your garden a riot of colour in the depths of September and October
At this time of year, most of our gardens have long since said goodbye to their most vibrant colours – but it doesn't have to be that way, as Alan Titchmarsh…
Jason Goodwin: ‘I think about it when I’m on the stepladder, reaching out dangerously far to tweak a ripe fig’
Jason Goodwin tells our readers why he's now decided to give a fig about the ancient fruit that's been growing in his garden for years.
How to enjoy home-grown berries for seven months of the year
Mark Diacono offers us some berry good advice for enjoying our breakfast favourites, whatever the season.
Curious Questions: What is the biggest potato ever grown?
As harvests come in across Britain, we always enjoy pictures of giant vegetables appearing at various shows. But the tale of the biggest of the lot is absolutely fascinating. Martin…
The Loch Ness blackberry: A welcome monster
Charles Quest-Ritson offers his advice on taming this exquisitely flowered fruit.
Alan Titchmarsh: ‘Why on earth haven’t I done this before? There’s an extra spring in my garden’s step’
Alan Tichmarsh explains how the Sissinghurst gardens inspired him to update his own.
Curious Questions: Does throwing a snail stop it from returning to your garden?
The oldest gardeners' remedy for getting rid of snails is also the simplest: throw them as far away as you can. But is it just an old wives' tale? Martin…
What to plant if you’re thinking of putting a willow in your garden
Charles Quest-Ritson offers advice on this incredibly vibrant plant.