The days are lengthening and Jo Arnell is getting excited for the new gardening year.

Hellebores brighten up shady corners and look great in winter containers

Hellebores brighten up shady corners and look great in winter containers

Cyclamen coum in a spreading carpet beneath a tree

Cyclamen coum in a spreading carpet beneath a tree

Helleborus argutifolius with architectural evergreen leaves and lime green bracts

Helleborus argutifolius with architectural evergreen leaves and lime green bracts

Phormiums provide striking border structure

Phormiums provide striking border structure

Melianthus major is a surprisingly hardy exotic architectural anchor plant

Melianthus major is a surprisingly hardy exotic architectural anchor plant

Scented, pidery flowers of Witch Hazel (Hammemelis mollis) glinitng in the winter sunlight

Scented, spidery flowers of Witch Hazel (Hammemelis mollis) glinting in the winter sunlight

Let’s go local

Jo Arnell gives her recommendations for plants that thrive naturally in the great British climate Our native plants are tough. Able to survive frosts, wet winters and – once established – short periods of drought too. They are the bedrock,...

In Shrubs We Trust

Jo Arnell pays attention to some often-overlooked garden stalwarts Shrubs are back. I’m not sure that they ever went away to be honest, but drifts of perennials and meadow plants have been stealing the limelight in recent years. Perhaps it’s...

Making Meadows

Jo Arnell takes a wander through wonderful wildflowers and marvellous meadows I have just come in from my field with a bag of Yellow Rattle seeds, having collected them for a friend to help her establish a meadow. It’s a...