Veronica Peerless
commissioning content editor
Veronica Peerless is commissioning content editor at Gardens Illustrated. She is a trained horticulturalist and garden designer and is the author of ‘How not to Kill your Houseplant (DK, 2017).
Recent articles by Veronica Peerless
The 10 weeds you need to worry about in your garden - and the 10 you can happily leave be
Short on time or just hate weeding? Here are the weeds most gardeners dread finding, plus some you should probably allow to grow
Gaudy, traditional bedding plants are out - these longer-lasting, wildlife-friendly alternatives are what you need in your garden
Three gardening experts recommend 17 of the best contemporary bedding plants, which pollinators will love, for stunning displays
The ultimate list of bee-friendly plants: 56 beautiful plants that will make your garden buzz
Create a buzz in your garden by adding the plants that bees love best.
Perfect prairie-style plants - you need these yellow summer plants in your garden for a naturalistic feel
Vibrant rudbeckias bring bold colour to the garden in late summer and autumn. Here's how to grow them, and the best varieties to choose
David Austin Roses has unveiled a new rose and it's the first time the company has bred one like it
David Austin roses have launched a highly anticipated new rose at the Chelsea Flower Show. Find out more
Who is Jamie Butterworth? Meet the new Chelsea Flower Show presenter whose behind the scenes rise has been remarkable
Want to know more about Jamie Butterworth, the new presenter of the BBC Chelsea coverage? Here's all you need to know.
These 'thug' plants will take over your garden, so avoid planting them to prevent problems later on
Add these plants to your garden and you might regret it, as they have the potential to take over
Think 'No Mow May' is not for you? These neat ideas for your lawn will make your garden look amazing in May
Worried that No Mow May will turn your garden into an unmanageable mess? Here are some ways that you can embrace the 'No Mow' concept while keeping your garden acceptably neat.
These beautiful summery flowers are perfect pops of colour in the garden - and they are easy to grow
Flowering from late spring into summer, these varied hardy perennials are growing in popularity. Here's our expert guide to growing them. Words by Naomi Slade.
The best places to see a beautiful blue carpet of bluebells in a wood or garden near you
Wandering in a bluebell wood is a magical experience. Here are our recommendations for where to see bluebells – and other spring delights.
Everything you need to know about growing bluebells
English bluebells are one of the highlights of spring. Here's how to grow them in your own garden – and how to differentiate between English and Spanish bluebells.
It's back! This tiny caterpillar could destroy your hedges: here's how to deal with it
The box caterpillar, or box tree caterpillar, can devastate box plants in a matter of days. Here's how to deal with it.
I got a hori hori knife – and became a gardening ninja: here's what they are and why you need one
A hori hori is a knife many gardeners swear by. But what exactly is it and why is it so great? Veronica Peerless tests Niwaki's hori hori knife and explains what happened.
The best garden design courses to join
Looking for a garden design course? Here's a selection of the UK's leading garden design schools and details of the training they offer.
‘I had a massive garden and the moment I downsized I felt safe’ - How Adam Frost beat burnout
Garden designer and TV presenter Adam Frost on the year that changed his attitude to life, the book that came out of it and what he’s up to next
Don't have room for seed pots and trays? Try this easy way of sowing seeds with these 21 beautiful flowers
Sowing seeds where you want them to flower is an easy, bother-free way to bring colour to your garden. Here, three experts recommend their favourite flowers for growing direct
Everything you need to know about tulip fire
Tulip fire is a fungal disease that can affect tulips. Here's expert advice on how to identify it, and what to do if you find it in your garden
Why Britain's going mad for saunas and how you can enjoy one in your own back garden
Saunas are the latest must-have addition to our outside spaces. Sit back and relax with our pick of the best saunas for your garden.
Rewild yourself and get back in touch with nature at this Somerset garden
Deep in the Somerset countryside, a regenerative farm run on permaculture principles seeks to cultivate and restore the health of people and the planet
Why you should buy snowdrops 'in the green' - plus how to plant them
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
Pink flowers for the garden that you'll love
From the palest china pink to vibrant magenta, here are 20 pretty pink blooms for your garden in every season.
Alternatives to a Christmas tree
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
Sustainable Christmas trees: real or fake, what's the best tree to buy?
What is the most eco-friendly Christmas tree option – a real tree, or an artificial one? We investigate the pros and cons of each
How to choose a real Christmas tree
Looking to buy a real Christmas tree this year? Here's our guide on choosing the right species for you – and the three main ways that Christmas trees are grown. Photographs by Christian Barnett