Molly Blair

Molly Blair

Digital Editor

Molly is the Digital Editor at Gardens Illustrated. She has an RHS Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture and previously worked in a nursery, focusing on growing herbaceous perennials and climbing plants. She gardens on a rooftop plot in Bristol.

Recent articles by Molly Blair
© John Davies

These are the best new gardens according to designers - but what do you think? Have your say

Discover the new designs shortlisted for the 2027 Society of Garden and Landscape Designers Awards and get the chance to vote for your favouriteShow more
© KIN CREATIVES

London's Royal Parks to be reimagined with unapologetic planting that's more resilient to climate change

The Royal Parks charity has revealed its Horticulture Vision for the eight parks it cares for.Show more
Elizabeth Strangman © Nicky Flint

"I was always in trouble for doing things my way": remembering Elizabeth Strangman, the late legendary plantswoman

In memory of plantswoman Elizabeth Strangman, we hear from friends and people across the industry about her impact, deep knowledge and love of plantsShow more
Monty Don poses in the RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which opens at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London next week. Picture date: Friday May 16, 2025.

Monty Don to leave Gardeners' World: who's taking over?

Monty Don will be leaving Gardeners' World having presented the TV show for 23 years. But who will replace him?Show more
Bill Markham

TV producers are looking for stunning gardens for a new series - here's how to apply

Could your garden be the star of a new wildlife TV series?Show more

How to get more ferns for free: watch our head gardener's guide to growing from spores

Watch Tim Stretton from Mounton House garden demonstrate how to get more ferns for free.Show more

8 of the world’s weirdest vegetables (#1 is straight out of a fantasy novel)

From tangled root veg to leafy greens that taste like crisps, these are some of the weirdest vegetables in the world according to an expert grower.Show more
House for sale in West Sussex

Swimming ponds and shepherd huts - this is the sort of garden £5m will buy you (and what you can get for £35m)

Properties on the market right now with amazing gardens and grounds.Show more
Agave 'death bloom'

This rarely seen 'death bloom' is taller than a giraffe and burst through the glasshouse ceiling

A decade old plant in Birmingham has begun the final phase of its life by producing a 'death bloom'.Show more
Gardening with a hose pipe

More hosepipe bans have been introduced. Is my area in drought or under a hosepipe ban, and am I exempt?

Water companies sometimes impose hosepipe bans when temperatures soar. Here we tell you everything you need to know about the current droughts, hosepipe bans and exemptions, plus how to keep your garden wateredShow more
A metal brazier ablaze with flames, surrounded by lush greenery.

6 key tips to prevent wildfires from starting in your garden

As wildfires spread across Europe, we recommend 6 tips to prevent them from starting in your garden.Show more
Sarah Raven

Expert grower Sarah Raven picks seven of her favourite dahlias – here are the dahlias to grow for perfect summer blooms

We visited Sarah Raven's Perch Hill and now we hear from Sarah about some of her favourite Dahlia varieties.Show more
A general view as Team Scotland take part in the athletes' parade during the opening ceremony ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at The Hydro on July 23, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. © Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Garden takes centre stage at the Commonwealth Games

A garden planted by Jamie Butterworth has taken centre stage at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony 2026.Show more

The world's largest butterfly survey has begun, and the UK could be set for a bumper year

Warm weather could help butterflies thrive this summer, but scientists need the public's help to see the full pictureShow more
Grosvenor Square Gardens

One of Professor Nigel Dunnett's final completed projects will open to the public this month in London

Grosvenor Square in London, one of the final finished projects that Professor Nigel Dunnett worked on, will reopen to the public this month.Show more
© RHS / Neil Hepworth

Double win at Badminton for charity's beautiful woodland-style garden with modern flair and meaning

Everything you need to know about Macmillan Cancer Support: The Nascent Shade Garden at RHS Badminton Flower Show.Show more
Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at SoFi Stadium on August 03, 2023 in Inglewood, California. © Emma McIntyre/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Every plant ever mentioned in a Taylor Swift song (yes, we listened to them all)

We listened to all of Taylor Swift's music, and pulled out her references to gardening and plants to create the definitive botanical Swift-ography.Show more
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are seen on May 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images)

What flowers are going to be in Taylor Swift's wedding bouquet?

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting married this weekend. What flowers are going to feature in Taylor's bouquet?Show more
Great Dixter © Richard Bloom

9 gardening lies you probably believe (but shouldn’t)

We asked top gardeners and experts to debunk some of the most widely accepted garden myths, mistruths and magical thinkingShow more

Matcha is a Gen Z superfood obsession. Should they really be drinking it? Here's the truth about matcha mania

Matcha is booming right now, but maybe we shouldn’t all be jumping on the ‘superfood’ bandwagonShow more
Hard landscaping elements are softened with planting.

The 9 golden garden design rules experts use to create beautiful gardens that feel good

We asked garden designers to share their secrets – this is the ultimate list of rules for designing your spaceShow more
Common garden weeds

How to spot 10 common garden weeds now and stop them taking over your garden

Weeds can pop up and establish fast in early summer, but with our handy guide you can quickly identify and manage 10 of the most prolific ones earlyShow more
Phlox drummondii grandiflora 'Creme Brulee' © Getty / Manders

Grow your own bouquets - two gorgeous arrangements for borders and vases

Leading cut-flower growers recommend plants to grow for gorgeous borders and flower arrangements.Show more
A specimen from Kew's Herbarium. Before using this image please check for any label indicating this specimen is restricted. If so, you must request permission from the Digital Asset Collection Manager before using it.

This crazy botanical hoax was hidden for over a century

The Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew contains around seven million plant specimens; but during a recent digitisation project, researchers uncovered horticultural trickery that had been buried for decades.Show more