Plants

Head gardener Benjamin Pope is keeping busy this month in preparation for spring. Here are his suggestions of what you could be planting through the month of January

There's always something to do in the garden, even in November. Aaron Bertelsen explains a few key things you can do in the garden right now. Illustration Alice Pattullo

Put the work into your garden now and you'll reap the rewards come spring. Head gardener Benjamin William Pope and garden writer Aaron Bertelsen explain what you can sow in November

Planting snowdrops in the green is considered the best way to establish them. Here's advice on why you should buy them, where to buy and how to plant

Bulbs aren’t just for spring – there are plenty of exciting autumn-flowering beauties you can plant to bring welcome cheer as the days draw in

The best December flowers and foliage from winter interest plants chosen for structure, colour and texture in the garden. Photographs Jason Ingram

There's plenty of ways to find colour and contrast in the garden on November days. Here Tom Brown and Fleur van Zonneveld pick the best plants for November. Photographs Jason Ingram and Maayke de Ridder

Formerly known as sedums, hylotelephiums are drought-tolerant perennials that offer long-lasting flowers in late summer and autumn, and are adored by bees and butterflies

The flowers that are blooming bright this October month are warm and vibrant to help ease the transition to cooler days. Head gardener Tom Brown and nurserywoman Fleur van Zonneveld choose the plants they love. Photographs Jason Ingram and Maayke de Ridder

Don't discard your poinsettia after Christmas – discover the unusual secret to getting your poinsettia to flower again next year.

In planting design, we often consider colour, says Nigel Dunnett, but the form of flowers can be just as important

Inspired by the gardens at Benton End, garden maker James Horner suggests a fresh container arrangement to capture the essence of summer

Looking for a Christmas gift for a gardener after the last Christmas post delivery date? We've got the best gardening membership and subscription gifts you can still buy and gift in time for Christmas

As our first book is released, Piet Oudolf looks at how gardens have evolved in recent decades and what makes a Gardens Illustrated-worthy garden today

Looking to create a charming cottage garden feel in your garden? Marcus Eyles picks the plants you need

Looking for an alternative to a cut Christmas tree? Here are some attractive conifers that you can grow outdoors in pots all year round, then bring indoors for the festive season

Try this beautiful houseplant arrangement of orchids, aeonium and begonia, created by James Horner.

From cool pastels and foliage to hot colours, designer Jo Thompson creates a stylish container combination

Wisteria needs to be pruned twice a year to keep it in good shape and to ensure abundant flowers. Here's how to do it.

The modest blooms of single-flowered roses have a simplicity and perfection all of their own, and are highly attractive to pollinators. Head gardener Mat Reese chooses 13 of the best. Photographs Jason Ingram.

Sissinghurst’s head gardener Troy Scott Smith guides us through the jobs that he and his team do in summer.

Lupins give spires of dazzling colour in late spring and early summer, and are once more gaining in popularity. Plant expert John Hoyland shares his advice on growing lupins and recommends the best.

Discover the indestructible varieties that designers, head gardeners and flower growers rely on: the top easy-to-grow, long-lived, pest- and disease-free performers for your garden

Biennials bring colour to spring and summer borders - and are easy to grow from seed. Sissinghurst head gardener Troy Scott-Smith shows how to grow biennials and the best flowers to choose.

Expert plantswoman Esther Schonenberg of Festina Lente gives her advice on creating a long season of colour in the garden

Traditional bedding plants like begonias and busy lizzies aren't as good for the environment as you might think...

You invest in a Christmas tree and bring it into your home over the festive season. Make sure it's as happy as possible so it lasts for as long as possible

Once a delicacy, medlars have fallen out of fashion, but grower Jane Steward is determined to show how abundant and easy they are, and to introduce them to a wider audience

Ablaze with astonishing autumn colour, Evenley Wood’s impressive collection of trees and shrubs places this Northamptonshire garden – already well known for its spring bulb displays – even more firmly on the map

Many UK gardens are open this festive season, so why not work off your Christmas indulgence between Boxing Day and New Year with a winter walk at one of these 13 great open gardens?

Create your own quick natural handmade Christmas decorations with these simple but pretty stars made from twigs and evergreens

Grower and florist Charlie Ryrie shows how to create handmade Christmas decorations at home using foraged plants and natural materials