Alys Hurn

1 month ago | gardensillustrated.com | Alys Hurn |Veronica Peerless

Within the plant world, there are two meanings for the word 'invasive'. One refers to invasive, non-native plants on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside act 1981. There are stringent regulations in place for these invasive plants, which, if they take root, can disrupt this balance, with devastating consequences. We have covered some of the worst invasive plant offenders here.

1 month ago | gardensillustrated.com | Alys Hurn

Gardens and green spaces shape the UK’s natural beauty, offering a haven for plants and wildlife. However, not all plants contribute positively to the delicate balance of our native ecosystems. Some non-native species, introduced from other parts of the world, have taken root a little too successfully, spreading aggressively and outcompeting native plants. While many non-native plants pose no threat, a handful have become invasive, disrupting ecosystems and even causing structural damage.

2 months ago | gardensillustrated.com | Alys Hurn |Veronica Peerless

How much would you pay for a plant you really covet? In recent years, some plants have fetched draw-dropping prices online and at auction and some always sell at very high prices. Often rare with unique or collectable qualities that have taken years or even decades to breed and perfect, these prized plants sell for thousands, sometimes millions, of pounds. The value is often driven up by collectors who can go to extraordinary lengths to own a desired species, and this can fuel black market trading.

Mar 12, 2024 | gardensillustrated.com | Alys Hurn |Jason Ingram

Hard-working herbs and vegetables are the focus of Anna Greenland’s small urban edible garden in Oxford. From the start, she pinpointed the edible plants she loved to eat and the garden is an extension of her kitchen. “It’s like having a little spice cabinet,” she explains. A keen advocate of Charles Dowding’s no-dig method, Anna filled the raised beds with well-rotted manure, building the soil up from the old lawn beneath.

Nov 3, 2023 | gardensillustrated.com | Alys Hurn

If you love watching garden birds visit your garden, you may want to think about investing in more than a hanging bird feeder. Why? Because different species of birds enjoy feeding from different kinds of eateries. Blackbirds, robins and wrens prefer food that’s available at ground level. This of course can attract unwanted visitors – so be wary of that and offer some protection too. Small tits and finches, however, are happy guzzling seeds from smaller hanging tables.