Little says summer more than a garden in bloom with butterflies flitting from flower to flower. But butterflies aren’t just beautiful visitors to our gardens; they are also vital pollinators, and an ...

Gazanias, also known as treasure flowers for their jewel bright blooms, are fantastic for bringing colour to patios and sunny borders. They're grown either as annuals or as spreading, evergreen ...

The Italian word 'pergola' usually refers to a timber frame on which fragrant, climbing plants grow, to provide dappled shade for a seating area. Pergolas have been popular since ancient times – ...

Flowering shrubs can bring a wonderful display of colour to the garden, whatever the time of year. In addition to their eye-catching blooms, they also provide height and structure, and are often ...

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral (magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate) that is mined in various countries around the world, including the USA and South Africa. It gets its name from the Latin ...

Grow bistort in moisture-retentive soil in sun or partial shade, in a position that suits the height and spread of the variety. Keep watered until established, after which little care is required ...

Asparagus ferns have airy and delicate foliage that looks like the leaves of asparagus but arches gracefully, like a fern – hence their name. They're not actually ferns, but members of the lily family ...

Mimosa tree (Acacia dealbata) is a fast-growing, evergreen tree, with fern-like leaves and bright yellow flowers that resemble fluffy balls, and have a strong fragrance. In the UK it grows to a ...

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is an ancient fruit native to Persia, now known as Iran. It bears apple-sized, pink fruit containing masses of juicy pink, sweet-flavoured seeds known as arils, used ...

The Chinese Lantern plant (Physalis alkekengi) is a hardy perennial that bears creamy white flowers in summer, but is mostly grown for its the papery orange 'lanterns' (calyces) that enclose the round ...

Mention Mediterranean gardens and you're likely to imagine outdoor kitchens and dining areas, soft colour palettes, citrus trees in terracotta pots and sun-loving perennials, all awash with the heady ...

Wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) is a strikingly architectural biennial wildflower that develops into an impressively statuesque tall plant within just two growing seasons, before completing its life ...