Garden columnist Francine Raymond reviews Colin Spedding's book Gardens: Their Hidden Life and discovers that his aim is to get us thinking about our gardens as important wildlife habitats with all the flora and fauna they support (even the pests and weeds).
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Gardens: their Hidden Life - Unnoticed plants and unseen animals
by Colin Spedding
Bloomsbury, £25
ISBN 978 1408158685
Get a free Sneeboer fork when you subscribe to GARDENS ILLUSTRATED at the Chelsea Flower Show, BBC Gardeners' World Live, Coombe Trenchard's Arts & Crafts Garden Festival, or the Cottesbrooke Gardeners' Fair.
Subscribe to GARDENS ILLUSTRATED at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show (22-26 May 2012), Coombe Trenchard Arts & Crafts Garden Festival (1-2 June 2012), BBC Gardeners’ World Live (13-17 June 2012), or Cottesbrooke Gardeners' Fair (22-24 June 2012) and you can choose a FREE gift as part of your su
Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Fair takes place from 22-24 June and is held in the stunning grounds of Cottesbrooke Hall in Northamptonshire. Not only is this a perfectly lovely way to spend a summer's day buying plants, but you can also meet the GARDENS ILLUSTRATED team - and take advantage of a great subscription offer.
Don't miss this exciting two-day garden festival celebrating the finest in gardening tradition, held in the grounds of the impressive Arts & Crafts house of Coombe Trenchard in rural Devon. Friday 1 and Saturday 2 June 2012, 10am-5.30pm
We are delighted to present this exciting two-day garden festival celebrating the finest in gardening tradition, held in the grounds of the impressive Arts & Crafts house of Coombe Trenchard in rural Devon.
Chris Marchant of Orchard Dene Plants chooses Gillenia trifoliata as an elegant addition to the summer border. PLUS places to visit to see plants at their seasonal best.
Gillenia trifoliata
I love the way this adds movement to a planting scheme when caught by even the gentlest of breezes. Don’t be deceived by its diaphanous appearance; it has an iron constitution once established. It is good in association with shrub roses, where it offers a delightful airy contrast to the more weighty blooms. As plants fade, the foliage takes on warm autumnal tones of gold and burgundy and the structure will contribute to a planting group for weeks.
The gardening extravaganza that is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show kicks off in a matter of days. Make the most of your time in London and consider some other horticulturally themed activities. Here's a selection of things we've noticed taking place at the same time that might be worth a visit.
If you’re spending time in London during the week of the Chelsea Flower Show (whether you're attending the show or not), here are some garden-related treats to enjoy.
Chris Marchant of Orchard Dene Plants picks Lathyrus vernus as an ideal plant to bring your borders surging back to life this spring. PLUS places to visit to see plants at their spring-time best.
The shortlist for the Octavia Hill Awards have been made. Now the National Trust are asking the public to cast their vote and decide who the real green heroes in our communities are.
Organised by the National Trust, in partnership with BBC Countryfile Magazine, the awards mark the centenary of the death of Octavia Hill, the social reformer and environmental campaigner who helped found the National Trust, who died in August 1912.
Chris Marchant of Orchard Dene Plants picks Fritillaria michailovskyi as one of her March plant highlights PLUS places to visit to see plants at their early spring-time best
Asparagus is easy to grow and tastes delicious freshly harvested from the garden. Here's your chance to buy grade-A crowns ready for planting now at a special offer price
Specialist nursery Pomona is offering two cultivars of one-year-old, ‘grade A’ asparagus crowns at a special price of £14.50 for 12 crowns, or £27 if you buy both cultivars (p&p included). These will establish quickly to give your first crop in just one year after planting.
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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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Hartley Botanic, in collaboration with the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community
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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.
