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5 days ago | 
theenglishgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
Any part could be used: most commonly it’s the leaves, but sometimes the flowers, seeds, or roots are used. Many of these plants also look fabulous in the border, having bold colour, beautiful blooms, architectural shape, or interesting foliage; some provide food for wildlife; and others scent the summer air. On warm days, the sun coaxes the fragrance out of the aromatic leaves of many Mediterranean herbs.
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5 days ago | 
theenglishgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
Roses with single and semi-double flower shapes have accessible pollen, and therefore attract pollinators, such as bumblebees; this simple flower shape is closest to the look of a wild rose and so suits the naturalistic look of the contemporary garden.
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1 week ago | 
houseandgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
The joy of spring is the scented, fleecy blossom that clings to the branches of the hedgerows and the trees, before the wind finally lifts it and swirls it through the air like confetti. In the countryside, the show begins early, in February, with cherry plum and ends in May, with hawthorn. Likewise, in the small garden, a variety of compact ornamental trees will provide a continuum of pastel and white blossom for months, including early and late flowering cherries.
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2 weeks ago | 
houseandgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
Bellflowers (campanulas) are one of the plants we most associate with old cottage gardens. The blue, pink, or white bells were traditionally grown with roses, hollyhocks, pinks, and foxgloves in summer borders. This chocolate-box image led bellflowers to fall out of fashion, but being such great border plants, they are deservedly enjoying a resurge in popularity. Jump to:Which campanulas to growHow to grow campanulasCampanulas have a long history in British gardens.
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3 weeks ago | 
houseandgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
Bluebells on Dartmoor National Park Devon and Cornwall Photography InformationBluebells Common name: bluebell, wild hyacinth, granfer griggles, fairy flower, squill, crow leek, wood bells Botanical name: Hyacinthoides non-scripta Family: Asparagus (Asparagaceae) Type: Perennial bulb Flowering time: April to June Planting time: Spring or autumn Height: 20 to 40cm (8 to 16in) Aspect: Dappled shade Hardiness: H6 Difficulty: easy Carpeted in a shimmering sea of violet-blue, our ancient bluebell...
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1 month ago | 
houseandgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
Grey and pink tones link together the Begonia rex in this city jungle gardenSarah CuttleInformationBegoniasCommon name:begoniaBotanical name:BegoniaFamily:begonia (Begoniaceae)Type:houseplants, bedding, and tender exoticsHeight:15cm to 2.5m (6in to 8ft)Spread:15cm to 1.2m (6in to 4ft)Aspect:bright indirect light or part shadeHumidity:average to highRoom temperature:12 to 25°C (53 to 77°F)Hardiness:H1B to H3Difficulty:easyThe word begonia transports many of us back to the 1970s and 80s.
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1 month ago | 
houseandgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
Rachel picking 'Irish Hope'Eva NemethInformationroseBotanical name:RosaFamily:Rose (Rosaceae)Type:Shrubs and climbersSoft cuttings season:SpringHard cuttings season:Autumn and winterFlowering season:SummerDifficulty:AveragePropagating is a fun, inexpensive way to produce new plants, either to use in the garden or to give as gifts. Roses are relatively easy to duplicate, and you can never have enough roses, so it's well worth a go.
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1 month ago | 
houseandgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
Cherry blossom on show in a west London garden by Sheila JackAlister ThorpeInformationCherry treeCommon name:ornamental cherryBotanical name:PrunusFamily:Amygdaloideae within Rosaceae (rose)Type:Deciduous treeFlowering season:SpringPlanting season:November to MarchHeight:2-18m (6-59ft)Spread:2-12m (6-39ft)Aspect:Sheltered sunHardiness:H6Difficulty:Easy to averageIn spring, the ornamental cherry trees on our streets and in our gardens morph into clouds of white and pink.
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1 month ago | 
houseandgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
Double white Anenome ‘The Bride’ Eva Nemeth InformationAnemone Common names: anemone, windflower Botanical name: Anemone Family: Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) Type: Rhizomatous or tuberous perennials Flowering season: Spring, summer, and autumn Height: 10cm-1.2m (4in-4ft) Spread: 20-60cm (8-24in) Aspect: Sun and semi-shade Hardiness: H5 to H7 Difficulty: Easy to challenging Come spring, our native wood anemone carpets ancient woodlands with starry white flowers, and colourful bunches of...
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2 months ago | 
houseandgarden.co.uk | Hazel Sillver
Adorned with luxurious, flamboyant flowers that can be a handful or more in size, magnolia is the most stunning of flowering trees and takes centre stage in spring. Named after the French botanist Pierre Magnol, the Magnolia genus comprises over 200 species of trees and shrubs from temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of Asia and the Americas. Unsurprisingly, their hardiness varies. Many are deciduous; a few are evergreen.
