Latest From Gardens Illustrated
9 new plants you won't have heard of that you should grow this year
We asked expert plantspeople, designers and gardeners which brand new and recently introduced plants they are excited about growing this year
Decorate eggs for Easter with botanical flower prints and natural dye
Writer and artist Sonya Patel Ellis explains how to combine tiny pressed leaves or flowers with natural dyes to create the prettiest eggs to celebrate spring
The worst diseases taking over gardens this year and how to avoid them
The RHS's annual list of the worst diseases to affect gardens has been released, with four brand new issues added to the top ten list
Charles Dowding and Gardens Illustrated founding editor Rosie Atkins among those given prestigious RHS People Awards
The RHS has awarded its annual People Awards with Project Giving Back's chair winning the Elizabeth medal of honour
When to plant summer bulbs and the best to choose for a gloriously colourful garden
Spring is the ideal time to plant summer-flowering bulbs. We asked four experts to recommend their favourites
The world's most extreme trees grow in the fiercest conditions. But should you plant them in your garden?
Faced with a warming climate, many gardeners are thinking carefully about resilient plants for their garden. But what about three of the world's most extreme trees?
Gardens Illustrated 's Editor's choice
Nigel Slater on the amazement he still feels at the arrival of flowering bulbs in spring
Our columnist Nigel Slater on the amazement he still feels at the arrival of flowering bulbs in spring.
Chelsea 2024 | Tickets, information, dates and what's on
Everything you need to know about RHS Chelsea Flower Show tickets and more for 2024
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Gardens Illustrated events
Gardening events and shows for 2024
All the big names in one place. Here's our guide to the gardening calendar's biggest and best gardening events for the year ahead
This blank rectangular plot was transformed into a field of dreams by Piet Oudolf at a Somerset art gallery
Piet Oudolf has transformed a blank, rectangular plot
into a colourful, perennial meadow full of character
at the Hauser & Wirth art gallery in Somerset
International garden festivals to visit
Horticulture events from around the world including flower shows and festivals.
Gardens to visit in March
Gardener and plantsman Keith Wiley shares his favourite gardens to visit in March.
Latest garden features and design ideas
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Create this exquisite Easter branch display using hazel and catkins to celebrate spring
Try your hand at an Easter branch display to celebrate the arrival of spring. Words and styling Jacky Mills, photographs Éva Németh
Garden border ideas | Spring border: a planting plan by designer Sarah Price
Download this border planting plan, created exclusively for Gardens Illustrated by award-winning garden designer Sarah Price. It will look good from late winter to early summer. Illustration by Hannah McVicar.
Gardening for wildlife doesn’t have to mean untidy: meet designer Will Tomson
As director at Sheffield-based design studio Creative Cultivation, Will Tomson designs and creates sustainably built wildlife gardens and natural swimming ponds. Portrait Andrew Montgomery.
Wreaths are not just for Christmas: here's how to make an Easter wreath with beautiful spring flowers
Try your hand at an Easter wreath with flowers
and foliage to celebrate the arrival of spring. Words and styling Jacky Mills, photographs Éva Németh
From egg rolling to flower wreaths: brilliant things to do at Easter in the garden
Celebrate Easter with these fun activities to do in the garden with your friends and family
March flowers that will look great right now
Plantswoman Fleur van Zonneveld chooses ten plants that help brighten the lengthening days of March. Photos by Maayke De Ridder
A junk-shop container lifts this elegant pot planting display with fritillaries and viola for early spring
Award-winning designer Jo Thompson kicks off a new container-planting series with three enchanting early spring flower combinations. Words Jo Thompson, photographs Jason Ingram
Best garden plants for now
They grow like weeds at this time of year but these tiny flowers can look beautiful in a spring garden
The vivid-blue, starry-eyed, forget-me-not flowers of many members of the Boraginaceae family makes them unforgettable and there are plenty of options for adding their appeal to your garden
The best spring flowers to plant
Looking for inspiration for the best spring flowers? Here's our choice of the most beautiful spring flowers to have in a spring-fuelled garden
Miniature narcissi and how to plant them
From her small nursery in a North Yorkshire back garden, Anne Wright grows the most exquisite tiny narcissi. She gives her expert advice on how to plant and care for these miniature daffodils. Words Alys Fowler, photographs Jason Ingram
Are Bergenias the most hated plant? You need to reconsider these low-maintenance easy-going evergreen spring plants
Elephant’s ears, or bergenias are low-maintenance, easy-going evergreen perennials that will brighten up the early spring garden with their colourful blooms. Words Richard Wilford, photographs Jason Ingram
How to grow scilla
Grown under trees or naturalised in grass, scillas give a beautiful wash of colour in spring. John Grimshaw, director at the Yorkshire Arboretum, recommends his favourites and gives his expert advice on growing them. Photographs by Jason Ingram
Planting and caring for narcissi or daffodils for a spring garden
Expert grower Hannah Gardner gives advice on planting narcissi in borders, pots and lawns and recommends the 10 best narcissi to grow
Houseplants
Your common house plant problems - solved
House plant expert Sarah Gerrard-Jones identifies the 10 most common house plant problems and explains how to solve them.
Houseplants | How to look after the blue star fern
Ferns sparked the first houseplant craze and are still a great houseplant choice, especially the unfussy Phlebodium aureum. Illustration Agata Wierzbicka
Asparagus fern: Everything you need to know about this ideal house plant
Attractive foliage and a near-indestructible nature make the asparagus fern great indoor companions. Illustration Patrick Morgan
Gardens Illustrated 's Podcasts
Talking Gardens podcast with Arit Anderson
Listen to this episode of Talking Gardens, the Gardens Illustrated podcast, featuring Arit Anderson on why she would love a bluebell meadow and the reason she would never allow leaf blowers in her fantasy space.
Talking Gardens podcast with Tasmin Westhorpe
Listen to this episode of Talking Gardens, the Gardens Illustrated podcast, featuring Tamsin Westhorpe on her dream garden and why she thinks gardening is vital for mental health.
Talking Gardens podcast with Isabel Bannerman
Listen to this episode of Talking Gardens, the Gardens Illustrated podcast, featuring Isabel Bannerman on her dream garden and where she would go in a time machine.
Talking Gardens podcast with Arthur Parkinson
Listen to this episode of Talking Gardens, the Gardens Illustrated podcast, featuring Arthur Parkinson on his dream of a walled garden with orangery, and all manner of plants and birds.
Talking Gardens podcast with Piet Oudolf
Listen to this episode of Talking Gardens, the Gardens Illustrated podcast, featuring Piet Oudolf on the projects that have shaped his career and why he has never had time to dream.
Talking Gardens podcast with Errol Reuben Fernandes
Listen to this episode of Talking Gardens, the Gardens Illustrated podcast, featuring Errol Reuben Fernandes on his fantasy garden and why some garden visitors would be banned from his dream space
Talking Gardens podcast with Marian Boswall
Listen to this episode of Talking Gardens, the Gardens Illustrated podcast, featuring Marian Boswall on her fantasy garden and why the first important ingredient would be love.
Talking Gardens podcast with Nigel Slater
Listen to this episode of Talking Gardens, the Gardens Illustrated podcast, featuring Nigel Slater on his fantasy garden and why fairies and soft serve ice-cream would have to be part of it
Listen | From the archives: Beth Chatto talks to Alan Titchmarsh
In her centenary year, we share a past podcast featuring Alan Titchmarsh talking to Beth Chatto in a public conversation, first aired on her 50th anniversary of being at her iconic Beth Chatto's Gardens
Talking Gardens: Chelsea edition with Harry Holding
Listen to this episode of Talking Gardens, the Gardens Illustrated podcast, featuring designer Harry Holding on his garden for RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the All About Plants category
Recipes
HOME COOKED RECIPES WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Recipe | Hearty sausage stew from Julius Roberts
Chef and smallholder Julius Roberts shares his recipe for a hearty and warming stew with sausage and chard.
Golden beetroot soup recipe
Nutritious and full of flavour; nothing beats a bowl of golden beetroot soup on a cold winter's day. Here's the perfect recipe for how to make it. Recipe from Stephanie Hafferty
Parsnip soup recipe with medlar jam
A tasty recipe for parsnip soup that you can cook over an open fire in your garden. Recipe by Cleve West
A delicious apple and tamarind chutney recipe
Preserving and fermenting home-grown fruit and vegetables is a savvy way of extending the season. If you find yourself with a glut of apples, think ahead and pickle yourself the perfect chutney.
Container Gardening
pots of style for your garden
Spring beauty in a pot: a stunning plant pot design you can plant up at home from designer Jo Thompson
Award-winning designer Jo Thompson's container-planting series continues with this early spring flower combination using Narcissus and Scilla. Words Jo Thompson, photographs Jason Ingram
How to grow auriculas and the best to plant
A favourite of the 19th-century Florists’ Societies, auriculas continue to attract enthusiastic collectors and are one of specialities of the Suffolk nursery Woottens. Discover how to care for, propagate and 16 of the best auriculas. Words Mary Keen, photos Richard Bloom
How to grow succulents
Succulents are attractive and versatile, low maintenance plants. Plant expert Andy McIndoe advises on how to grow them, plus the best types to try. Photos by Dianna Jazwinski
A colourful container display using chillies
Jenny Barnes walks us through this container display that prolongs the life of fresh chillies and brings colour and shape indoors
Inspiring Gardens
THE BEST OF THE WORLD'S OUTDOOR SPACES
The English country town where everyone goes completely snowdrop mad each February
The annual Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival in Somerset is the place to be for galanthophiles in February.
Words Lucy Bellamy, photographs Jason Ingram
A designer’s own wild family garden by the ocean in Australia, with eco credentials and colourful planting
In southeastern Australia, a family of four horticulturists has created a dreamy new garden by the ocean, with captivating combinations of native and exotic plants. Words Georgina Reid, images Claire Takacs
What to plant in an edible garden
We talk to vegetable and edible gardening expert Anna Greenland about gardening for flavour. Words Alys Hurn, photographs Jason Ingram
Legendary nurserywoman Elizabeth Strangman's garden showcases her signature hellebores and a wealth of beautiful spring plants
After closing her renowned nursery, Elizabeth Strangman has poured her energies into developing her private garden, which showcases a wealth of plants beginning with her signature hellebores. Photographs Nicky Flint
This season in the garden
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GARDENING NOW
March flowers that will look great right now
Plantswoman Fleur van Zonneveld chooses ten plants that help brighten the lengthening days of March. Photos by Maayke De Ridder
Gardens to visit in March
Gardener and plantsman Keith Wiley shares his favourite gardens to visit in March.
March gardening jobs
It's spring fever in the kitchen garden, as our columnist Aaron Bertelsen shares the gardening jobs for March. Illustration Alice Pattullo
What to plant in March for beautiful blooms over the summer and beyond
Head gardener Benjamin Pope offers his suggestions for the best things to plant in pots and beyond this month
Gardens to visit
which gardens to visit and where
The best campsites with beautiful gardens
From Victorian walled gardens to shaded clearings among wildflowers, we recommend the best campsites in the UK with beautiful gardens to get lost in
The best lavender farms to visit
Swathes of blue and purple as far as the eye can see – we recommend the best lavender farms to visit for a perfect summer day out
Beautiful royal gardens
From wildflower meadows to Islamic-inspired water gardens, the gardens of royal residences can provide places of calm, beauty and inspiration. We recommend the best royal gardens to visit in the UK
Garden design
THE BEST OF THE WORLD'S OUTDOOR SPACES
Trees for small gardens
Many people worry that a tree will overpower a small garden, but as garden designer Sarah Price shows, the key is finding the right place and the right tree
How to lay a hedge
Interested in the centuries-old skill of hedge laying? Follow our guide on how to lay a hedge and learn about the traditional ways to lay a hedge. Words Louise Allen, photography Andrew Montgomery, illustration Liam McAuley
Garden ideas on a budget
Charlotte Molesworth, best known for the topiary in her garden at Balmoral Cottage, offers her best ideas for garden ideas on a budget. Words Francine Raymond, photographs Rachel Warne
10 ways to improve your garden
Award-winning garden designer Jinny Blom gives us her 10-point plan for improving any garden.
How do garden landscapers and designers work together?
There’s confusion around what a landscape architect, garden designer and hard landscaper really is. Here Claire Vokins from Wilson | Vokins breaks down the connection
10 garden design mistakes and how to avoid them
We asked ten award-winning garden designers to name the most common design issues they see, and how these problems can be solved
Gardening Advice
WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT
How to create a safer garden for birds
Naturalist Martin Hughes-Games explains how you can keep your garden birds safe by maintaining good hygiene around bird feeders, bird tables and bird baths and window feeding trays
How to | Propagate ferns
Discover exactly how to propagate ferns with our step by step guide from head gardener Mat Reese. Photographs by Jason Ingram
How to prune wisteria
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. Photographs by Gavin Kingcome.
Gardening Kit
OUR PICK OF THE BEST GARDENING TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES
The best of the spring sale: 10 deals for a garden spring clean
We've found the best gardening tools and equipment from trusted brands in the spring sale. Take a look to save on spring essentials.
9 lovely gardening mugs for spring
We've selected nine lovely gardening mugs so you can enjoy a well-deserved brew after a day of planting and potting.
100 best gifts for gardeners in 2023
Here's our selection of fantastic gardening gifts in 2024, tailor-made to suit the gardener in your life.
9 of the best garden pods and offices
Planning a big project for 2024? Make the most of your space outside with the all-new wave of stylish garden pods and practical pop-up offices.
Best bird feed for your garden birds
Support local wildlife and fill your garden with birdsong by stocking up on these packs of bird seed, mealworms and suet balls.
The best garden wheelbarrows
Save yourself a lot of time and hassle in the garden with our selection of the best wheelbarrows on the market.