Tubers in the tropics

While his exotics are a seasonal hit, there’s still work to be done between the palms as Toby tackles his dahlia tubers

- Toby

THEY say that if you wear something for long enough, it’ll come back into fashion, but I can’t see it happening with my khaki-coloured pith helmet. I bought the piece of military millinery to decorate a tropical-themed show garden, but unless David Beckham ditches his sarong and starts wearing one, this hat’s working life is over.

Thankfully, the exotics keeping it company couldn’t be more in vogue, and even under November skies, the steely blue European palm, glossy kumquat and fern-leaved Melianthus look lush.