How to grow a giant gooseberry, and other top tips from the 219th Egton Bridge Old Gooseberry Show
Ahead of this week's Egton Bridge Old Gooseberry Show, Steven Desmond spoke to competitors at this centuries-old event.
Gardens
We can’t get enough of our gardens at Country Life magazine. We love to visit gorgeous English country gardens at any time of year – and more and more are opening for longer, as you can see from our piece on beautiful gardens to visit all year around.
At the same time, different gardens are best at certain times of year. For instance we know the best places to see snowdrops, where to see bluebells, and the best gardens for afternoon tea in the summertime.
We have guides to our flowering trees, and our ultimate guide to British wildflowers, as well as tips on overcoming box blight and other garden pests.
Read on, and find out whether we are running any of our exclusive garden tours, which take readers to see some of the most impressive private gardens in Provence and Tuscany twice a year.
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The most impressive perennial grown in Britain: The swamp pot
Mark Griffiths extols the wonders of the swamp pot ‘Thalia dealbata’ and teaches us how to best do the beautiful flowers justice.
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The garden of the Yorkshire Manor house which inspired Jane Eyre’s Thornfield Hall, lovingly restored
At Norton Conyers, Ripon, North Yorkshire (believed to be the inspiration for Charlotte Brontë's most famous location) passion of a different kind has brought the garden back to life, finds Non Morris. Photographs by Val Corbett.
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The tale of the Lady Penny sweet peas that were brought back from extinction thanks to a handful of saved seeds
When the seeds of her eponymous sweet pea were lost, Lady Penny Mountbatten turned to Roger Parsons, holder of the National Collection, for help. Report by Tiffany Daneff, with photographs by Daniel Gould.
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Reddish House: The 'dream house' and gardens of Cecil Beaton, restored for the 21st century just as he'd have wished
Reddish House in Wiltshire is the place where the great Cecil Beaton fell in love with gardening. Taking on this idyllic plot did not involve a slavish re-creation of his work, however — instead, it’s been a case of applying the same spirit. Non Morris assesses the results, with photographs by Val Corbett.
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Jason Goodwin: The half-term report of the keen amateur gardener
It might be the end of term for schoolchildren, but for gardeners across the nation we're very much only half-way there. Jason Goodwin's 'gardening teachers' offer their thoughts on his progress.
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Alan Titchmarsh: The best coastal flowers, and the relief of finding that old age and a treacled memory haven't claimed me yet
Our columnist Alan Titchmarsh on the beauty of the coastal flowers that dot our shoreline — and never more spectacularly than on the cliffs of Cornwall.
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Curious Questions: Why is there no such thing as a truly blue rose? And will we ever have one?
Breeding a blue rose has long been the Holy Grail for plant breeders everywhere. Charles Quest-Ritson, author of the RHS Encyclopedia of Roses, explains why it's proven so elusive.
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The wonders of Carolina allspice: Used to scent a garden, a kitchen, or even your cleavage
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Lowther Castle: The spectacular and historic gardens that rise from one of Britain's most evocative ruins
The gardens at Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria, rise artfully from the ruins of their spectacular setting — yet the effort it has taken them to blend in so perfectly has been immense. Non Morris reports on Jim Lowther and Dan Pearson’s continuing work to restore these historic gardens; photographs by Val Corbett.
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The world's largest-ever show garden is coming to The Game Fair this year
Students from Capel Manor College, overseen by RHS Gold Medallist Julie Dowbiggin, have just 90 days to finish The Game Fair Gardens, a mammoth task sure to produce spectacular results.
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The top salad leaves to grow in your garden for summer garnishes
Mark Diacono tells us his top salads to plant to accompany barbecues this summer season.
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Alan Titchmarsh: How each of our English country gardens can play their part in saving the planet
Our columnist Alan Titchmarsh talks extreme weather, climate change and the faith all gardeners have in the extraordinary ability of nature to bounce back from pretty much anything.
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Five garden swing chairs that offer comfort, style and hours of fun for the children
Garden swing chairs have come a long way, offering comfort and fun for every budget — Amelia Thorpe picks out some of her favourites.
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Invasive aliens: Six of the most destructive plants and animals that have made Britain their home
Hundreds of species that we take for granted are actually non-native species. Dan Eatherley, author of Invasive Aliens: The Plants and Animals From Over There That, names some of his favourites.
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Looking after trees: Signs of stress, what to do, and when to call the experts
Kenton Smith and Tony Kirkham, author of the Haynes guide Trees, give their tips on making sure the trees in your garden stay healthy.
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I hadn't been to RHS Chelsea for years, but it's better than ever — just don't ask strangers to share your taxi
After staying away for a few years Charles Quest-Ritson is delighted to report that the Chelsea Flower Show is as great a treat as ever — but that's not to say there aren't a few things that have changed...
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Bringing Mediterranean planting to Britain with the most wonderful gardening book of the year
Mark Griffiths explains why we value Mediterranean planting styles so highly, why he urges all to purchase Mr Filippi's 'Bringing the Mediterranean into your Garden: how to capture the natural beauty of the garrigue' and why he would never adopt the methods described within himself.
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Bucket List Inspiration: The most beautiful gardens from all over the world
11 of the world's most stunning must-visit gardens, from vineyards in America to shrunken miniatures in Japan.
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Brace yourself for the new invasive pests, from to oak-munching caterpillars to Asiatic hornets
Charles Quest-Ritson takes aim at the foreign invaders who seem set to ravage our gardens.
