A timely guide to spring-flowering bulbs – choices, tips, techniques and planting ideas for a display from January to May

  More thieving from my back catalogue of articles, this one doubly so since it originally featured in September a few years ago, featuring images taken from 2014 onwards - and repeated again in April of this year. But spring-flowering bulbs are available now so this time of year is probably the most useful as bulbs can be…

A guide to spring-flowering bulbs in the garden – planting ideas from January to May in kaleidoscopic style

  Bulbs in the spring garden. The text and images are timely in this piece, looking through the late winter and spring months January through to May, though it was originally written for a September story when the bulbs and corms would be available for planting. There are practical tips and hints planting of course,…

A return to Kew and some contortions in the Davies Alpine House required … plus an invitation to an Open Day

A selection of colourful delights from the Davies Alpine House at Kew, from last week. Bent back and scuffed knees, getting these images, but I love these displays, and as a special treat, there is 'behind the scenes' access to the Alpine Glasshouses and the work of the Alpine gardeners at Kew this coming weekend,…

A little look at the 2016 London RHS Early Spring Show

Walking through Pimlico and the outskirts of Westminster, after crossing Vauxhall Bridge (see the Duck tours amphibious vehicle), heading towards Vincent Square and the horticultural halls hosting the first of the RHS London Shows this year.... The RHS Early Spring Show Beautiful blue skies and bright sunshine (yesterday), the first day of the show. Magnolias…

My first visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (well, my first this year) – Witch Hazels aplenty, Alpine beauties – Magnolias! – and more… Welcome to Part 1

Hamamelis x intermedia Vesna Happily, Kew Gardens are a short distance from Teddington HQ (too) and as long as there is a parking space close to the Victoria Gate entrance, there is no excuse for me not to stop off and take a look inside. Sometimes this is just a short stop, perhaps less than…