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How can anything so small be so bewitching? The huge joys of the tiny cyclamenCharles Quest-Ritson on the effortless beauty of the autumn cyclamen. Photographs by Clive Nichols.
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How to grow your own pharmacy in the gardenThe power of medicinal plants should not be underestimated says Ann Treneman, as she explores the bounty of nature's pharmacy.
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'The Versailles of the north': Meet the duchess who's created gardens of joy, wonder — and rather a lot of deadly poisonAs the garden at Alnwick Garden celebrates its 25th anniversary, Charles Quest-Ritson talks to Jane Percy, Duchess of Northumberland, about its making and her plans for its future.
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Hydrangea paniculata: The bold, brave flowers that can stand up to whatever the British climate can throw at themNo garden should be without Hydrangea paniculata, which can bloom until the end of October. Charles Quest-Ritson sums up the results of the recent four-year trial at RHS Bridgewater near Manchester; photographs by Clive Nichols for Country Life.
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'More is more has always been my mantra': The visionary who made the Eden Project from an abandoned clay pit in CornwallTwenty-five years ago, Sir Tim Smit created a series of futuristic plant-filled biomes: the Eden Project. James Alexander-Sinclair says we should expect even more brilliant surprises in the coming quarter century. Photographs by Clive Nichols.
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The expert tips and tricks to creating a tropical oasis in a very British gardenDespite climate change, tropical and tropical-style plants still need to be selected and planted with care. Steven Desmond reveals what to plant, when and where.
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'I’m not after perfection; I’m after feeling. If people walk through here and feel joy, I’ve succeeded’: Matthew Rice on his gorgeous garden at Ham CourtIt’s impossible to resist the charms of the garden at Ham Court, Oxfordshire, home of Matthew Rice. Tiffany Daneff visits this bustling, colourful garden, which reaches its zenith in late summer. Photographs by Clive Nichols.
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Alan Titchmarsh: 'The best garden gates are a fanfare, an indication of the glories to come'Gardener, writer and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh loves nothing more than a good garden gate. Unfortunately, the one in his new garden doesn't live up to his ideals — not yet, anyway.
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What tulips should you plant this autumn? Alan Titchmarsh, Isabella Bannerman and 10 more of Britain's best gardeners and writers give their answerOverwhelmed by the mass of tulip bulbs on offer? Friends and contributors of Country Life tell us which tulips they will be planting for next spring.
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How Kew planted an American prairie in the heart of SussexSwathes of American prairie plants are being trialled at Kew Wakehurst in an effort to search for drought-tolerant species for our gardens. Charles Quest-Ritson reports. Photographs by Mimi Connolly.
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A slice of heaven for fruit lovers: One of the world's greatest apple displays is about to take place in DevonEuropom — one of the great celebrations of the fruit grown across Europe — will be taking place this year at RHS Rosemoor. Charles Quest-Ritson can't wait.
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Beautiful, impressive, mature: The high-summer splendour of Cedar HouseNew collections of trees and shrubs, colourful herbaceous plantings and dedication to its development have transformed the six acres of the garden and arboretum at Cedar House in Wasperton, home of David and Sandra Burbidge. Charles Quest-Ritson paid a visit to a place that has become a major showpiece; photography by Clive Nichols.
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Restraint, repetition and 'an unflinching critical eye': The keys to the garden at Craichlaw HouseRestraint, repetition and refinement of planting over three decades have created the spectacular garden at Craichlaw House, Kirkcowan — home of Andrew and Mary Gladstone. Kirsty Fergusson reports; photography by Andrea Jones.
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Cuttings not cakes: The sublime story of the Secret Orchard NurseryArthur Parkinson visits a favourite plant nursery in Derbyshire, which has gained a reputation for the quality and range of its plants.
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Bountiful, blowsy and scented: The gravity-defying walled garden at the Palace of Bishop AucklandThe gardens of the Palace of Bishop Auckland, Co Durham — home of Jonathan and Jane Ruffer — have undergone extensive garden restoration and creation work overseen by Pip Morrison. Mary Keen paid a visit to one of its highlights: the steeply-sloped walled garden, returned to full production since 2024. Photographs by Andrea Jones.
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A summer of prickles and rashes, splinters, scrapes and scratches, a season of stings: Nature is biting backJason Goodwin reflects on a summer of bites, pricks and stings.
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The Somerset house that brought 'jungle gardening' to the EnglishEast Lambrook Manor in Somerset — home of Andrew and Alison Johnson — where Margery Fish’s exuberant ‘jungle gardening’ style took shape, is flourishing once again under new custodianship. Charles Quest-Ritson paid a visit; photography by Jonathan Buckley.
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'If you garden like this, it is almost impossible to get help — it’s more akin to doing a painting or an embroidery': The exotic and wonderful Copper House garden in KentSuccessional planting is one of the trickiest skills to master, but the results in this intensively and brilliantly planted new garden speak for themselves. Kathryn Bradley-Hole paid a visit to the garden at The Copper House in Cranbrook, Kent — home of Stephen and Eleanor Cochrane — to find out more.
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'Stately, spacious and much more enjoyable': The RHS garden show that outdoes ChelseaA visit to RHS Badminton left Mary Keen impressed.
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'Mystery, subtle magic, and strange, elusive charm which must be felt but cannot wholly be understood': The exquisite Italianate gardens of Renishaw HallRenishaw Hall in Derbyshire is one of the earliest and finest gardens to appear in Country Life. The Anglo-Italian landscape created by Sir George Sitwell — and now home of Alexandra Sitwell and her husband, Rick Hayward — continues to enthral visitors with its elusive charms over a century later. Main photography by Clive Nichols.
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Alan Titchmarsh: Beautifying your bordersThe gardener, writer and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh shares his tips on making the most of your flower borders.
