“Shady gardens don’t have a great reputation. All too often they come across as dark, dank and uninviting – not exactly three words to set your horticultural pulse racing. The good news is a shady space can quite easily be...

“No disrespect to Pythagoras or Toblerone, but I’m not enamoured by triangles – or at least the ones that show up in garden form. They naturally drag the eye to the narrow end of the plot where everything seems to...

Article on 101 Things for Kids to do Outside in the Telegraph. “‘I’m booo-oored. There’s nothing to do.” How often have we heard that plaintive cry, echoing through the house on the second day of the school holidays? In my...

A look at the RHS Campaign for School Gardening through the experience of three, very different, schools. “Head gardener Bo Stills has a lot on his mind. Slugs have been a problem this year, there are prize vegetables to be...

A preview of Hampton Court Flower Show 2012 specifically with children and families in mind. “‘A flower show? What do you mean you’re taking us to a flower show?” If this is the stock response of your children to your...

How to make a garden a great play space without finding yourself swimming in plastic. “When we tell our children to play outside, the result can be alarming. The loud shrieks of joy you can just about live with –...

In praise of self seeding plants – which to chose and how to accommodate them. “Self-seeders have developed an unfortunate reputation in some parts of the gardening world. The phrase “may become invasive” evokes Viking-style raids with borders overrun by...

These days garden parties are stylish affairs – think outdoor standard lamps, flat panel LCDs and tea light chandeliers and make your backyard the best venue in town. “There was a time when a garden party involved nothing more than...

A look at how designers inject colour in garden features from walls and fabric to screens and artwork. “Gardeners work their green fingers to the bone trying to coax colour from plants, but as anyone with a few grey hairs...

“Struggling with a tiny front yard full of bins? Designer Dawn Isaac offers her solution with a cut-out-and-keep plan for the classic Victorian terrace. “The angles of this bed are designed to echo those of the bay window, tying garden...