Scarlet fever

It’s the colour of passion and danger, but don’t be wary of using red in your borders – just remember that a little goes a long way, says Hazel Sillver

How to grow...Begonias

Whether you fancy a cascading trail of dainty blooms, exotic specimens, or just some striking and unusual foliage, begonias really do have it all, says Anne Swithinbank

Focus on... Planning the plot

Want to get more from your plot? It’s all about the planning, and now’s the best time to give thought to the best spots for shade and sun, rotation and timings, as Lucy explains

Coming up roses

Thanks to ‘healthy rose’ breeding programmes, there’s no need to grow poor-performing plants, as Val explains

Care for your rockery

Time to replant, add gravel and tidy things up, says Ruth

Getting Your Roses Ready

Give them a hand as they return to growth

How To Create Your Own Modern Garden

An unfussy design and restrained planting are keys to a contemporary look. Whether it’s a total revamp or a few modern touches, Hazel Sillver explains how to make it work

Top 10 Jobs For Early Spring Success

Try to do a little bit every day to get healthy indoor and garden plants, says Ruth

Year of the rat

While 2020 is the Year of the Rat in the Chinese calendar, Val says it’s the year of the rat every year in her garden

Wake your pond for spring

Ruth tidies her aquatic plants and looks out for some frogs!

How to grow... Alstroemeria

Striped or freckled, these profuse bloomers will continue to fill your perennial border with colour for weeks if given the right care, says Anne Swithinbank

Space exploration

Too much of the same plant in close confinement is the fast track to spindly crops. Bob makes the case for more space

How to make the cut

Martyn Cox looks at ways to prune shrubs for a great display of winter stems

From dazzling to delicate Fritillaries

Whether you want a loud and proud border beauty or something more subtle and elegant, there’s a fritillary to fit. Camilla Phelps examines this diverse plant family

Dahlias and pelargoniums

Ruth reveals how to propagate these summer favourites

A bit of chit chat

Whether you’re after a few massive tatties or lots of tasty tiddlers, the secret’s in the chitting, as Toby explains

The Great Gladioli Revival

Big, brash, showy flowers went out of favour in the 1980s and with them went Dame Edna’s favourite, gladioli. But now they’re back in fashion, as Martyn Cox explains

Guardian angels

Val looks forward to receiving her red mason bee cocoons as part of a bee guardianship scheme

How to grow...Lobelia

Easy-going and easy-growing, you’d be amazed how dynamic lobelia can be in borders and baskets. Anne explains how to best cultivate this carefree summertime bloomer

In borders and in a vase Go green!

From acid brights to cooler tones, green can be relaxing or refreshing, and it’s not just for foliage. Louise Curley reveals the surprising variety of green flowers out there

Grow some divine colour

Try ‘Angel Wings’ in containers and borders, says Ruth

Can I revive ailing cymbidium?

ORIGINATING in China, Japan, South East Asia and Australia, some of the 50 species are terrestrial or ground-dwelling, while others attach themselves to trees or rocks.

Buttonholed in the pink

Growing your own is better than shop-bought, says Peter

How To Create Your Own Cottage Garden

Brimming with blooms and filled with fragrance, this timeless classic appeals to the romantic in us all. Hazel Sillver reveals the plants and design tricks you need

Right perennial, Right place

Now is prime planting time for perennials, so what are you waiting for? Pick those that best suit your garden conditions and you will ensure that they thrive.

Liven up summer borders with Undiscovered hardy annuals

Cheap and cheerful, quick and easy, annuals give ample blooms for your buck. If you look past the generic mixes, there’s a wealth of choice out there.

It's all in the seed mix

If you want to sow the perfect lawn, you need to think about how your lawn is used and make sure you pick the right seed mix for your plot.

How to grow... Seasonal baskets

Get ready for months of joyous jewel tones and prep some bright and bountiful baskets. Anne Swithinbank explains how to cultivate long-lasting balls of cascading colour

How to get ahead of the game!

FL Vanderplank looks at growing your own novelty chess pieces for the garden

How do I fight blight in toms?

Anne Swithinbank’s masterclass on: how to avoid tomato blight