Summer Gardening

Quick Answer: Dying Conifer Diagnosis Conifers turning brown typically indicate one of five problems: Avoid hard pruning back to old wood, then check soil drainage, as overwatering or heavy clay kills more conifers than any other cause. Improve drainage, remove affected portions, and ensure adequate spacing for air circulation. Most fungal problems cannot be reversed, […]

We’re not talking about anything sinister here either, just ancient wisdom about how plants can be used for healing, protection, divination, and generally making life a bit more magical. I’ve already written about trees and their influence on witchcraft, which goes into the heavy hitters of the plant world, but today we’re diving into the […]

Working out which direction a garden faces is one of the first things I do when I’m working on new garden designs as a garden designer. I do this before anything else, and I am going to explain why all gardeners need to follow this step! After decades of designing gardens, this is the one […]

There’s a colour that British gardeners chronically underuse, and it’s the boldest, most dramatic one in the entire palette: vibrant, passionate, show-stopping red! Now, I know what you’re thinking. Red’s too loud, too in-your-face, too risky for proper garden design. Absolute nonsense! Red flowers are the ultimate statement makers, and they deserve way more space […]

There’s a colour and plant type that’s criminally underused in British gardens: bright, vibrant, in-your-face yellow flowers! Now, I know what you’re thinking. Everyone and their nan goes for the safe pastels, the gentle pinks and soft purples. But what you may not know is that yellow flowers are absolute show-stoppers in terms of garden […]

Transform your berberis from an overgrown, tangled thorn bush into a spectacular garden feature with these expert pruning techniques! Whether you’re wondering when to prune your barberry, nervous about those vicious thorns, or simply seeking the best methods for deciduous versus evergreen varieties, you’ve come to the right place. Learning how to prune berberis properly […]

Transform your flowering currant from an overgrown, straggly mess into a spectacular spring showstopper with these expert Ribes pruning techniques! Whether you’re wondering when to prune your flowering currant, nervous about cutting off next year’s blooms, or simply seeking the best pruning methods, you’ve come to the right place. Learning how to prune Ribes correctly […]

Prairie planting has absolutely taken the UK gardening world by storm, and for excellent reasons! Although many prairie plants are not native to northern Europe, many have been part of our garden history for almost 200 years, and, with a few exceptions, they have behaved well. What started as an American phenomenon has evolved into […]

When temperatures soar and hosepipe bans loom, the sight of a browning lawn can cause considerable anxiety for gardeners. However, understanding how grass responds to extreme heat and drought conditions can transform your perspective and help you make informed decisions that benefit both your lawn’s long-term health and the environment. This guide will show you […]

August often gets dismissed as a month for garden maintenance rather than creation, with many gardeners assuming the growing season is winding down and focusing solely on watering, deadheading, and harvesting existing crops. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Whilst others are taking their gardening foot off the pedal, I’m ramping up propagation activities […]