In the January issue, plantsmen from ten leading nurseries reveal which plants they are excited about growing in 2011. Chris Ireland-Jones from Avon Bulbs chose this sunny Dahlia coccinea var. palmeri with a spot of late summer flowering in mind.
Dahlia coccinea var. palmeri
Nominated by Chris Ireland-Jones, Avon Bulbs
If you're setting out to buy your Christmas tree you might be torn between which type to go for. Take a look at our guide to sort out which ones should be top of your wish list.
What is the perfect Christmas tree? In a sense, of course, all Christmas trees are perfect. But there’s no getting away from the fact that some clog up the vacuum cleaner more than others. So here is your essential guide to the various types of tree available, with some advice on the benefits of each, from scent to needle retention. We also provide a guide on how to get the best from your tree over the festive season – and beyond, if you have bought a potted or container-grown one.
Photographs by Cristian Barnett.
There's a superb selection of reader offers available in the December issue of GARDENS ILLUSTRATED, including a 10% discount on orders from Sarah Raven's Christmas catalogue and save £5 on Charlie Ryrie's seasonal wreaths.
There's a superb selection of reader offers available in the December issue of GARDENS ILLUSTRATED.
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Rreaders can take advantage of a 10% discount on orders from Sarah Raven's Christmas catalogue including this Dark Dahlia Collection, beautifully packaged in a ribbon-tied hessian sack. Click here
Avoid jostling with the masses in city centres this year and head to Christmas fairs for more unusual and unique gifts.
Venturing into any city centre becomes a task for the brave and the incredibly patient at this time of year. Trying to navigate past damp woollen coats and people armed with dozens of bags is not for the faint hearted. This is why Gardens Illustrated is delighted to hear that several gardens are providing superb alternatives.
The Great Dixter Christmas Fair
27-28 November
Time: 10am to 4pm
Entrance fee: £5.00 (Under 16 free)
Bob Brown selects nine outstanding plants for our magazine series 'Nurseryman's Favourites'. For December his selection includes Crataegus x lavalleei 'Carrierei', which looks lovely on a crisp winter's day.
Crataegus x lavalleei ‘Carrierei’
Nurseryman Bob Brown selects nine seasonal plants every month in the magazine. In the November issue he picks Allium thunbergii 'Ozawa' as one of his choices for bringing extra colour to your garden in autumn.
Allium thunbergii ‘Ozawa’
This is a neat plant with cheerful bright purple flowers. The neatness is not so extreme that it’s of interest to alpinists but it needs not to be smothered by bossier border plants. Mine grows atop a stone wall where I can defend it against the ingress of Bergenia and Sedum foliage, and the greyness of the wall sets off the colour well. It seems impervious to early frosts and even early snow. Most alliums bloom in spring or early summer. This brings a breath of spring just when it’s needed.
Don't miss the opportunity to see the work of artist Rob Ryan, whose intricate papercut images have a distinctive, heartfelt and sometimes poignant quality.
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Help with the GI clear out by taking bundles of seeds off our hands. Click to find out how...
WE NO LONGER HAVE SEEDS AVAILABLE. PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN FURTHER REQUESTS.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SENT IN ENVELOPES, THESE WILL BE FILLED AND RETURNED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE'VE HAD A FANTASTIC RESPONSE SO PLEASE BE PATIENT.
Call for final entries. The annual IGPOTY award recognises some of the best garden photography from both amateurs and professionals alike. Entries for the 2010 competition must be in by 30 November.
All entries for the 2010 International Garden Photographer of the Year must be in by 30 November.
The competition, now in its fourth year, is open to both aspiring and professional photographers with not only cash prizes to be won but also the opportunity for your work to be included in an exhibition of entries held at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
There are seven categories for entries, including a new category for 'Wildflowers', which is hoped will highlight the increasing pressure faced by 'wild places'.
The Prince of Wales has put his name to a new 12-day event being hosted this month in the rarely seen gardens at his official London residence, Clarence House.
The Prince of Wales has put his name to a new 12-day event being hosted this month in the rarely seen gardens at his official London residence, Clarence House. The Garden Party to Make a Difference celebrates sustainable living, with grow-your-own as a key theme.
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Your guide to the best courses available in garden design and horticulture
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An extensive guide to the best horticultural specialists.
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Sweeping plains, majestic mountains, stunning vistas and miles of unspoilt coastline...
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Set your New Year budget with help from the right bank account
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If you have ever thought that greenhouses are as alike as peas in a pod, then think again.
