shade
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.
These plants will make your garden look good over winter
The seedheads of perennials bring drama to the garden in winter and provide food for birds and insects, too. We recommend 11 of the best
30 of the best climbing plants for 2025
Choose from our selection of best climbing plants and add vertical interest to walls and trellises or allow to scramble over other plants in borders. Plantsman and garden designer Rory Dusoir gives his top recommendations.
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Wood anemone is a perfect plant for shady corners and spring displays
Wood anemones are well-suited to shady gardens, and the diversity of plants in the wild has provided rich pickings for enthusiasts. Plant expert John Hoyland picks out the best wood anemones, including Anemone nemorosa, for early-spring displays. Photography by Lynn Keddie.
Hardy geranium: 21 of the best hardy geraniums
Geraniums are easy-to-grow, popular plants that suit most gardens. Plant expert John Hoyland recommends 21 of the best and more recently introduced hardy geraniums. Photographs Dianna Jazwinski
Trillium: The best trilliums to grow in your garden, plus growing advice
Trilliums are captivating, shade-loving plants. Plant expert Val Bourne recommends the best trilliums and gives advice on growing them in your garden. Photographs by Lynn Keddie
The best foxgloves to grow
Versatile foxgloves come in many guises and can add lightness, romance or structure, depending on your scheme. Here are 18 to grow, chosen by plant expert Matthew Biggs and grown by Digitalis collection holder Terry Baker at The Botanic Nursery. Photographs Jason Ingram
A Cotswold rectory garden with topiary and early spring bulbs
Take winter and early spring design and planting inspiration from this pretty country garden, packed with early flowering bulbs and evergreen structure. Photographs Jason Ingram.
Wild-style spring plant display for the container garden
Make the most of early spring plants to create a container display with the appeal of the wild woodland edge. Perfect for the container gardener or a sunny terrace
Bosvigo: a Cornish spring garden brimming with blooms
The pretty woodlands in Wendy Perry's Truro garden are lit up in spring with beautiful bulbs and elegant trees and shrubs
Fritillary meadow at Morton Hall Gardens: how to manage a meadow
Morton Hall Gardens in Worcestershire has a spectacular bulb meadow that is famed for its fritillaries. Here, we share some advice for managing a fritillary meadow from garden owner Anne Luetcke
How to make the most of shady corners
Shade is sometimes seen as a problem but it is the natural habitat for a host of beautiful woodland flowers, ferns and mosses that can create a wonderfully magical atmosphere