Best beautiful cosmos for your garden

An essential for the summer garden, cosmos are available in a range of colours and at a variety of heights. Hazel Sillver looks at both the annual and perennial species

Making new fruit bushes

Take hardwood cuttings before buds burst, says Ruth

Winter fragrance

Plant winter-flowering shrubs for fantastic scent, says Val

What's really in the bag?

The labelling of growing media is now vital, says Peter

Wonder walls

Make the most of your house walls, whatever their aspect, by introducing plants that add another dimension to your garden

Magical witch hazels

Witch hazels are unique shrubs that bring shape, colour and fragrance to your winter garden, says Louise Curley, and don’t forget they have fantastic autumn foliage, too

Plant a container-grown tree

Steve and Val Bradley explain how to plant a tree as part of the Green Canopy scheme

How to revive houseplants

We’ve had the sad task of clearing a relative’s house and have brought back a number of mature houseplants, including a Christmas cactus, a clivia and begonias.

Hot and spicy

Want to grow great chillies for spicy meals? Camilla Phelps reveals the best varieties, including heat ratings, sowing techniques, and tips and tricks for these hot plants

Go green for pocket and planet

Eco-gardening benefits more than your garden, says Ruth

Butterfly heaven

If you want your garden to be filled with scent and butterflies this summer, plant a buddleja now, says Hazel Sillver, as she reveals varieties for large and small gardens

Free seeds are back!

It’s time for sowing, says Ruth, starting with bright asters

Focus on... Growing chillies

If you crave crops with a real kick, now’s the time to start sowing your chilli peppers. Lucy Chamberlain shows you how to sow and grow fabulous, flavoursome chillies

Ice sculptures

The winter garden can be a true wonderland if you plan and plant to really make the most of the frost, says Graham Rice

Lost and found

Val is saddened by wildlife habitat loss due to HS2, but is cheered by the discovery of rare wild honey bees

On the rocks!

Create a drought-resistant gravel border to cut down on watering and enjoy a wealth of Mediterranean plants, says Hazel Sillver, as she reveals how to get started now

Plant a tree for Jubilee

Celebrate our Queen’s 70-year reign and help the planet

The beauty of snowdrops

Snowdrops may have tiny, delicate flowers, but they are remarkably strong, hardy and reliable plants. Tamsin Hope Thomson reveals some of her favourite varieties

The joy of figs

They are easy to grow and generous fruiters, says Ruth

Sweet spud success

If you haven’t yet tried this tastier, more nutritious alternative to potatoes, now’s your chance, says Bob

Think about perennials

They can be moved and split if the soil is right, says Ruth

Sweet memories…

The fragrant presence of Devon violets reminds Toby of bygone days and a violet trade that lifted people’s spirits

Spring blossom for wildlife

Plant fruiting trees and shrubs now, so your garden will be filled with beautiful snowy blossom that will provide valuable nectar for insects come spring, says Hazel Sillver

The indoor garden

Wintertime is when house plants and the benefits they bring really come to the fore, says Anne Swithinbank, as she selects a range of examples for every need

Late winter protection

It isn’t too late to secure your garden, says Ruth

What a jay day!

Val spots an exotic visitor at her garden bird station

Winter scent

Planting for winter scent will draw you back out into the garden, even on frosty mornings, says Camilla Phelps, as she looks at the best plants for winter fragrance

Sow soon for success

You can start sowing seeds now in a propagator or on a warm windowsill – and the sooner, the better, says Bob

Houseplant survival

Steve and Val Bradley explain the best techniques for looking after plants given as Christmas gifts

Get more from young trees

We planted them in nursery rows and if they weren’t sent out after a year or so, we would carefully dig them up for transplanting into a different part of the nursery.