When designing a garden it can be difficult to know where to begin. How do you assess the space, draw up a plan, start planting? And what about paths, boundaries, seating and screens? Whether you're ...

When controlling weeds around your outdoor space on areas such as driveways, patios and lawns, it’s tempting to reach for a weedkiller spray. However, it's important to think about the safety of ...

Bindweed is a perennial weed that's a common problem in gardens. It has fast-growing, long stems that can grow to around 3m. These stems climb by twining through garden plants, not just spoiling their ...

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 ...

Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a rampant climber. It is typically used to clothe walls of large houses. It bears inconspicuous flowers in summer, followed by small blackberries in ...

Duckweed is a common pond weed, visible as masses of tiny, rounded green leaves that float on the surface of ponds and other bodies of still, nutrient-rich water, including in water butts. The ...

Trellis can be an easy way to increase privacy in your garden, as it provides support for climbers such as clematis, roses, jasmine and sweet peas. Choose evergreen climbers and you can enjoy added ...

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 ...

Making your own compost is a great way of recycling green waste. You can make compost in all but the very smallest of spaces and there's nothing better than using your own homemade garden compost, ...

Catmint (Nepeta) is an attractive, hardy and easy-to-grow flowering perennial, renowned for its aromatic foliage which tends to attract cats, hence its name. Its aromatic leaves are green or ...

The avocado, Persea americana, bears delicious fruits packed with healthy fats. In the right conditions, trees can reach heights of up to 20m, but they're unlikely to grow so well in the UK. Avocados ...

Keeping patios clean not only makes them attractive to use and look at, but is also important from a safety point of view – dirt, debris, and algae can build up and make paving dangerously slippery, ...