Advice for shady gardens
Get help for your shady garden
People plan to mow their lawns no more than once in May according to new poll supporting No Mow May
A new poll demonstrates that more people than ever are planning on not mowing in May as part of Plantlife's No Mow May campaign
Stop! Here are 14 things you think you need to do in your garden but you actually don't
As National Gardening Week arrives, the RHS offers up 14 things in your garden that you think might work, but which actually don't
Is this grassy perennial the perfect solution for shady gardens? How to use this low-maintenance plant
The subtle grass-like sedges of Carex are perfect for adding texture and beauty in challenging and shady spots in the garden. Words Giacomo Guzzon, photographs Jason Ingram
How to grow hellebores
Plant expert John Hoyland gives advice on planting, sowing and growing hellebores. Plus, the best varieties to grow, recommended by some of our favourite plant experts. Images by Rachel Warne.
The best ferns for your garden
Offering beautiful foliage shape and texture, ferns are easy to grow. Our plant experts choose the best ferns for your garden. Photographs by Jason Ingram.
The best trees for front gardens
Choosing the right tree for a front garden can be tricky but there are advantages and countless pleasures that can be had if you choose your tree carefully.
What is a Japanese Garden?
Finely tuned and rich in detail, Japanese gardens invite us to engage with nature, and have much to teach us about the aesthetics of design and the appreciation of beauty. Words Andy Sturgeon
Inspiration and advice for planting bulbs in pots
To help you get the very best out of bulbs in pots, follow these step-by-step instructions, advice and inspiration to create and maintain stunning container displays throughout the year.
20 of the best plants for shade - including a designer's recommendations
Discover 20 of the best plants for shade, including recommendations from garden designer Chris Moss
The best daphne for year-round colour and scent
Daphnes are shrubs that are best known for their scented flowers in winter, but some flower in spring and summer too. Shrub expert Andy McIndoe chooses 12 of the best daphnes to grow. Photographs by Dianna Jazwinski
Trillium: The best trilliums to grow in your garden, plus growing advice
Trilliums are captivating, shade-loving plants. Plant expert Val Bourne recommends the best trilliums and gives advice on growing them in your garden. Photographs by Lynn Keddie
Hostas: the best to grow for foliage
Ranging in size from the tiny to the lusciously large, the sculptural shape and rich colours of hosta leaves make this hardy shade lover a firm favourite with gardeners.
30 of the best climbing plants for 2024
Choose from our selection of best climbing plants and add vertical interest to walls and trellises or allow to scramble over other plants in borders. Plantsman and garden designer Rory Dusoir gives his top recommendations.
The best flowering dogwoods
Flowering dogwoods, or cornus, are a delightful addition to the garden, with spectacular flower displays in early summer. Andy McIndoe chooses the best flowering dogwoods for gardens of all sizes.
Planting for a dry and shady urban garden
In a twist on the traditional English cottage garden, Katie Guillebaud’s design for a plot in a voguish Oxford neighbourhood combines naturalistic planting with the cosmopolitan feel of the urban village in a thoroughly modern marriage. Words Jodie Jones. Photographs Jason Ingram.
Woodland garden inspiration: Fern Alder's carefully planted space
In her garden on the edge of ancient woodland, Fern Alder has created a carefully planted space that melds naturally with its surroundings. Words Francine Raymond, Photographs Sarah Cuttle
Simple to grow Hydrangeas
Renowned for their remarkable flower heads, which come in a range of pretty colours, these versatile garden staples are now very much on-trend and as simple as ever to grow. Photographs by Andrea Jones.
Wild-style spring plant display for the container garden
Make the most of early spring plants to create a container display with the appeal of the wild woodland edge. Perfect for the container gardener or a sunny terrace
How to grow holly
Discover how best to grow and cultivate holly and holly bushes
Hardy woody plants for a cold climate
If you garden in tough conditions or you live in a colder climate, take inspiration from these hardy woody plants. Words Matthew Biggs
How to make the most of shady corners
Shade is sometimes seen as a problem but it is the natural habitat for a host of beautiful woodland flowers, ferns and mosses that can create a wonderfully magical atmosphere