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

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...

Diorama & Rust

An enchanting and truly individual garden in Bethersden is opening this August in aid of Macmillian. Jo Arnell goes along for a special preview This month we are visiting a one-of-a-kind beautiful garden in Bethersden; an archetypal Kent cottage oozing...