Robby 
Victoria and Barney Martin of Stokesay Flowers give their advice on growing roses for cutting. Words: Kendra Wilson, photographs Jason Ingram. Around ten years ago, Victoria and Barney Martin leased a one-acre walled garden at Stokesay Court near Ludlow in Shropshire. They are now famous for the beautiful roses and cut flowers they grow there. … Read more
With its spires of hooded purple flowers and storied history, the wolfsbane plant intrigues gardeners and historians alike. However, locating these poisonous beauties can prove challenging. So where exactly can you find wolfsbane growing in the wild or available for purchase? An Overview of Wolfsbane The common name “wolfsbane” refers to several species in the … Read more
Tulips are one of the easiest flowers you can choose to grow. Plant your bulbs in autumn and forget about them: those are the basic horticultural instructions. Because tulips are so brightly colored and bloom so early in the spring, the little work it takes to grow them is well worth the joy they bring. … Read more
Some birds use nest boxes as roost sites after the breeding season is over. Nest boxes protect birds from rain, snow, wind, and cold, but there are some parts that aren’t great for sleeping in at night. They aren’t always big enough for groups of birds to roost in, and the smooth sides and open … Read more
Flowers have an unmatched ability to infuse color, vibrancy, and natural beauty into any design. When it comes to flower backgrounds, the pairing of purple and white creates an elegant and eye-catching effect. The contrast between the two colors accentuates their best qualities. Read on to discover how purple and white flower backgrounds can elevate … Read more
Zesty zucchini is a summer squash that keeps giving in the garden—just one plant can produce up to 10 pounds of squash! Plus, zucchini is simple to grow, grows quickly, beats weeds easily, and doesn’t need much care. But zucchini is a warm-season crop that really can’t handle the cold. This makes spring plantings a … Read more
Opinions on how to prune deciduous fruit trees are innumerable. I have just one: Keep your tree small. If you want your tree to bear fruit and you want to pick and eat that fruit, I think this is the best thing you can do. A small tree’s fruit is easy to pick. In fact, … Read more
Primarily grown for their beautiful foliage, hostas are long-lived, shade-loving perennials highly esteemed by gardeners. There are hundreds of cultivars of these easy-to-grow plants that come in a huge range of sizes, from very small to very large, and their leaves come in pretty shades of green, chartreuse, gold, dusky blue, or beautifully variegated. Numerous … Read more
Hydrangeas are one of the UK’s favourite blooms. If not the favourite. They are often grown in flower beds or pots because they can handle both conditions. The flowers are big and round, which makes them very attractive. Also, now that it’s fall, you should start thinking about putting hydrangeas in pots to stay alive … Read more
If you want a one-of-a-kind fall decoration, pumpkin on a stick plants are a must-see. They are easy to grow from seeds in your garden or a pot. The most intriguing fact about these miniature pumpkin-look-alikes is that they are ornamental eggplants. Plant pumpkin on a stick in the spring. It grows like other eggplants … Read more