Charles Quest-Ritson: Why nothing matches the colour or beauty of the simple primrose
Sometimes the simplest flowers are the best, says Charles Quest-Ritson, as he looks at primroses, cowslips and their wonderful hybrids.
Sometimes the simplest flowers are the best, says Charles Quest-Ritson, as he looks at primroses, cowslips and their wonderful hybrids.
So fine is the topiary at Cressy Hall in Gosberton — the home of Michael and Janey Hill — that you might think it dates back to the 18th century. Yet it hasall been created over the past 20 years by a former antique dealer with little interest in gardening, as Todd Longstaffe-Gowan explains. Photography by Andrew Sydenham for the Country Life Picture Library.
Mark Diacono takes a look at allotment logic, and shares his formula for what you should and shouldn't spend your time and energy growing.
Expert gardener and gardening writer Steven Desmond picks out some of his favourite sights as the winter begins to give way.
There is often more than a grain of truth in gardening wisdom that comes from folklore.
The old advice always used to be to plant small and wait, but recent innovations mean that gardeners can plant outsize trees with confidence, says Charles Quest-Ritson.
If you grow your own potatoes, you may find things are a little harder this year — but Mark Diacono picks out nine varieties that you can grow yourself which will easily outstrip what you find in the shops for flavour, texture and often colour.
The best of Alan Titchmarsh's gardening books have helped shape his career — he takes a look at some very special items in his library.
Our columnist has a suggestion for enjoying January, albeit one that doesn't involve staying put in England.
Trained fruit trees are beautiful as well as bounteous. Mark Diacono explains what you need to know if you wish to get started.
From Alan Titchmarsh's beautiful prose to expert advice on growing an orchard.
Alan Titchmarsh's Christmas column looks at all the plants of the festive season.
Tiffany Daneff shares her winter gardening tips.
It's possible to plant flowers that offer beautiful sights and smells throughout winter. Steven Desmond suggests some of the best.
Charles Quest-Ritson looks at invasive plants and what to watch out (or look for) in our gardens.
Nothing beats the sun glinting through the conservatory windows on a chilly winter day, but what to plant inside? John Hoyland recommends the finest climbers.
Despised for decades, aeoniums, echeveria and the many other kinds of succulent are now finding favour everywhere. Val Bourne recommends the best.
Everything from climate change to the whims of gardening fashion shape what we plant, but is it time to remember our traditional strengths, asks Noel Kingsbury.
Poppies aren't just beautiful, natural flowers lighting up the countryside; they're inextricably linked with our history. Jack Watkins looks at how the ‘painted glass’ that ‘never glows so brightly as when the sun shines through it’ became a powerful symbol of the brevity of life.
From common poppy and the poum poppy to the bright yellow Welsh poppy, Jack Watkins takes a look at these exquisite natural flowers.