Catherine sent us this picture showing her husband wearing Genus from top to toe, along with a description of his gardening life. In return, we sent her a voucher for a £50 discount off...
Nestled under a backdrop of the stunning Malvern hills, The RHS Malvern Spring Festival is a fabulous way to kick off the garden show season. With ample on-site parking and...
Marion sent us this picture showing her wearing Genus Gardening Trousers, and a description of her work as a Volunteer Park Ranger in Headington Hill Park, Oxford. In return, we...
We're constantly impressed by what Genus customers get up to in our gear. From creating incredible orchards, landscapes and allotments, to using them on archaeological digs.Last week, we received a...
Don’t try using the front door at Rugg Farm; plants are the doorkeepers here barring your access to the 200-year-old farmhouse and giving a clue as to what can be...
Entering through the gates at Plumley House the first things you see are huge granite boulders of monumental proportions deposited there at the end of the last ice age. Time...
An 18th century farmhouse with beautiful mixed borders and an exceptional range of roses. As you turn into the driveway of Susanna’s home near Bridgenorth the mid 18th century red...
Ruth and Neale Brydon had to wait eight years to find the perfect garden. After an eight-year spell working in the United States Ruth longed to return to the UK...
The gentle approach to Mary and John Thurston’s home ‘Rocklands’ in Gloucestershire is via a serpentine metalled driveway that weaves gently through camelias, rhododendrons, and mature sweet chestnuts. Access to...
An 18th century townhouse with a mature beautifully laid out garden with an exceptional plant palette. Jill and William Stewart have lived at their home near Towcester for 40 years...
In her 1913 collection of poems, Dorothy Frances Gurney wrote, The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's Heart in...
With careful planning, you can create a green haven on your balcony that’s full of scent and colour. First, it’s important to check how much weight your balcony can take,...
With a national lockdown and supermarkets depleted, producing your own fruit and vegetables has more appeal than ever. And there’s so much you can grow in the smallest of spaces....
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and with the shops filling up with cards and flowers it got us thinking about the relationship between women and gardening. I suppose...
Exercise addicts are always trying to convince us of the benefits of yoga – increased flexibility, stronger joints and bones and a relaxed body and mind. But did you know...
Gardens don’t have to be at ground-level: there are plenty of city dwellers making the most of their available space by creating picture-perfect gardens on rooftops and balconies. Here are five...
We have written a number of blogs about how great gardening is for improving gardener’s general levels of health and fitness. Our health and wellbeing though, is not just a...
Gardening is renowned for its therapeutic benefits, helping you to feel more relaxed, alleviating symptoms of stress and depression and allowing you to enjoy nature. In Japan, gardens are designed...
It seems that we are heading for a mass influx of Painted Lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) over the next few weeks. Although we get these butterflies regularly during the summer...
One of the surprising things to pop up in the Genus garden lately was a bright shiny green beetle that was all over the sage and lavender bushes. Curiosity peaked,...
It’s the end of June and we are getting excited about Hampton Court Flower Show which starts soon. One of the specialties of the show is the grand display of roses as...
It’s just a few days to go before Wimbledon 2019 starts. It’s my only must-see sporting event of the year. The strawberries in the Genus garden have been in full...
In helping to design and plant out the Back To Nature garden at this year's Chelsea Flower Show, the Duchess of Cambridge is continuing a long tradition of gardening amongst...
There are many traditional Mother's Day flowers depending on where in the world you look. The British tradition of “Mothering Sunday” started in the sixteenth century and provided an opportunity...
The recent discussions on climate change in Poland, the Beast from the East followed by a summer drought, as well as the long line of record breaking years including the...
The concept of colours influencing our moods has been around for a long time. If you are interested in learning about popular interpretations of different colours with a view to...
Gardeners will know that gardening is not just a physical activity, it encompasses a philosophy of life, an approach to growing and a favoured set of techniques that vary from...
The country has spoken and it’s out of the EU we will come. There will now be a period of some uncertainty as we come to terms with the new reality and begin the process of untangling ourselves from a host...
Vita Sackville-West has many claims to fame. She was an accomplished writer and poet, circulated amongst the Bloomsbury Group attributed with modernising British social attitudes during the inter war years,...
We’re back after the excitement of Chelsea. The importance and popularity of gardens in Britain was of course really made obvious at the show. The range of items for gardens...
Time and again, surveys and academic studies prove what we’ve long suspected: gardening really does make us happy.A recent poll of 1,500 UK adults revealed that 80% of people who...
Now that the long Easter weekend is nearly here, there should be plenty of time to get out into the garden as well as enjoying eggs, buns and rabbits with...
It’s the month when resolutions are made and so very many people think about dieting to lose the extra pounds gained over the festive season. A recent survey showed that...
Herbs are a versatile ingredient for cooking, but they also have many therapeutic benefits, and can be used in a variety of health and beauty products. Here are some reasons...
Claudia de Yong is a garden designer with over fifteen years experience creating wonderful gardens for her clients. She has also won medals eight times at Hampton Court and numerous...
Gardening is not only good for your soul, it's also a great way to burn off calories in the winter months. For some people, a spot of gardening is their...
It’s Easter! This is traditionally the busiest period for gardening businesses. A spell of good weather at Easter brings gardeners with all kinds of interests and all kinds of skills...
Each member country of the United Kingdom has its own national flower. Here is a brief introduction to each: England – the Rose The rose has represented England since the 1400s...
Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us and thoughts are turning to gifts for our loved one. Flowers are always a popular choice, and the relationship between flowers and love goes...
Don’t panic! It’s the week before Christmas and the atmosphere is getting hectic. For many of us the thought that we need to find something special for that significant somebody...
This week we went along to the Bibury Gardening Club, which meets once a month, and is always a great place to socialise with other keen gardeners as well as...
We have already noticed what a barbeque summer 2017 in the UK is turning out to be, and the two heatwaves we experienced in recent weeks were unusual in their...
It has been an interesting year at Chelsea. The media has not just focused on the flowers. A spotlight has been shone on the people involved as gardeners and garden...
Woooooh! Spring seems to have sprung and suddenly there seems to be even less time in the day to get everything done than ever before. This last month has whizzed...
It has been a few weeks since the last Genus blog. You won’t be surprised to hear that’s because we have been really busy, not just in the Genus garden,...
We have already blogged about climate change and flooding in December, but the subject just won’t go away. We have been really keen to get out and start the late...
The British winter this year has been warm as well as wet. October, November and December have all been unseasonably warm. October was around 0.5 degrees warmer and was also a drier...
We are drawing close to the end of the gardening year. The Genus garden is being tidied up and put to bed for the winter. The long days pottering and working...
Genus founder Sue began gardening in miniature in her London flat using planters and window boxes as a route to releasing her gardening passion. There’s lots that can be done container...
The autumn this year is turning into a long and colourful affair. The flowering season in the Genus garden still continues into October and some of the fruit trees, particularly...
It may be disappointing to have suffered another wet and dismal August Bank Holiday, but the recent rain does mean that some of the vegetables and fruit in the Genus...
Fashion is not just about clothes. There are garden fashions too. Plants and planting styles that gardeners of all sorts fall in love with and get carried away by. Genus...
That's it then. The third week in May has arrived, the Chelsea Fringe starts and the real excitement of Chelsea week begins! One of the many new gardening programmes on...
The Genus team was recently busy at the Kew Plant Finders Fair. One of the ways we engaged with customers was to ask them more about what they wore when they...
Just like ourselves in the Genus garden, we know many gardeners who spend a lot of time choosing flowers they hope are going to perform really well in the conditions...
The hori hori knife all round gardening tool from Japan Genus is all about performance. We also pride ourselves on great customer service, enjoying conversations with our customers about their...
Want to stand out this Valentines? British grown spring flowers are gaining in popularity over imported roses We have noticed a bit of a push in the gardening community recently...
That’s it then, we have reached Twelfth Night which means Christmas and all the associated festivities are now all well and truly finished for another year. What’s to look forward to now?...
The horticultural and forestry world has been busy over recent years innovating around Christmas trees. It’s not just the introduction of new species of tree like the Scot’s pine or the Noble fir instead...
Monet’s garden appears to have become the latest battlefield of Anglo-Franco discord. An interesting article in the Sunday Times described the challenge faced by the Head Gardener at Giverny. James Priest...
Whilst not as internationally famous as Chelsea, Hampton Court Flower Show is the world’s largest flower show. It covers an area of 34 acres set inside the grounds of Hampton...
There is much talk of climate change and how gardeners will need to adapt their gardening practices as a result. When we think about the last few years it’s easy...
It is a fact that in our society neighbours seldom talk to each other. You can live for years next door to someone and never even know their name. A...
Five a day doesn't mean WEARING the fruit and veg Eating fruit and veg has been a big topic in the news for some time. In the UK the campaign to “Eat...
Earlier this week, we visited the Fashion & Gardens exhibition at the Garden Museum in Lambeth, London. Curated by Nicola Shulman, a well-known author and journalist, who is also a...
Susan Middletons old gardening trousers Thanks to keen gardener Susan for sending in this photo of her old gardening trousers. She can now enjoy her free pair of socks. To...
Radio 4 Extra is broadcasting a great programme on Gertrude Jekyll at 9am today, 1st February. Gertrude Jekyll (29 November 1843—8 December 1932) was an influential British horticulturist, garden designer, artist...
We are asking keen gardeners to send in photos of their old gardening clothes, and in return we're giving them a free pair of Genus socks. Thanks very much to...
Gardening offers many health benefits: it increases flexibility, provides a workout, helps to keep you supple and can even boost your mood, alleviating depression and anxiety. But for allergy sufferers,...
A new BBC series could see thousands of people who have lost their passion for gardening take an interest once again. ‘Great British Garden Revival’ is a 10-part series which...
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is often also referred to as winter blues or winter depression, and affects up to 20% of the population annually. It’s a type of depression which...
Gardening has been proven to have health benefits for everyone, particularly the over 60s, and helps to de-stress your body and mind. So why not use your garden to grow vegetables...
A study of over 4,000 people in Stockholm, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, has showed that regular daily gardening can prolong life by up to 30 per...
Sustainable gardening is nothing new: the concept actually came about during the First World War (1914-1918) with the invention of so-called ‘Victory Gardens' in which vegetables, fruit and herbs were...
Monty Don, presenter of the BBC programme Gardeners' World, has put forward his views that everyone in the UK should have access to a garden or allotment, especially young people between...
Sometimes, the best things are those which are unexpected, such as a garden on the roof of a tower block! Urban gardening is a movement sweeping the nation – here...
The charity Thrive has recently launched a new project, ‘Down to Earth’ in Gateshead and the West Midlands, aimed at helping ex-service personnel living with mental ill health or physical disability to ...
It seems gardening hasn’t just come to schools – it’s making its way to universities as well, starting with the University of Newcastle which has announced a number of innovative projects to...
Hidden among the more contentious educational reforms put forward by the government is a proposal to include gardening on the National Curriculum for students aged 7 to 14. The idea...
More normally associated with exclusive garden parties, Buckingham Palace is set to host a one-off football match to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the English Football Association’s formation. The game...
Gardener and amateur moth hunter Angie Hill got something of a surprise earlier this week when stumbled across a giant beetle. The creature, later identified as a European rhinoceros beetle...
Traditionally thought of as weeds, nettles are apparently receiving a warm welcome in some gardens. One online nursery is now selling nettles for £7.99, claiming that all of their initial...
Celebrity gardener Monty Don has spoken of the unusual way in which he once tried to impress his girlfriend by cutting her lawn with a pair of scissors. Unable to...
We loved the story we read the other day about 70 year-old Stuart Grindle, a retired joiner from Tickhill near Doncaster, who mows his lawn twice a day because he wants...
Flower gardens are popular all over the world, providing a tranquil and pleasant escape from the rush of the modern world. But where is the largest flower garden in the...
If you thought that gardening was the hobby of choice for older people, new research suggests that you could be wrong. Research by Stewart Garden has found that people aged...
Clematis are fabulous for clambering through roses, up fences, walls and over shrubs and pergolas. There’s one for every month - the more the merrier we say! For spring, March...
One of the most obvious ways of creating a garden that stimulates the senses is with long-season, layered planting that keeps the colour and interest going all year. Bulbs are...
With our summers getting hotter, a dip in your own beautiful and chemical free-swimming pond is becoming an increasingly popular idea. Unlike bright blue, artificial looking rectangular shaped traditional swimming...
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show presenter, who has a passion for gardening, enjoys pottering around her newly re-designed garden in Chiswick, London, that she shares with her husband, record company...
What about your journey into horticulture?My father was a (progressive) farm manager and conservationist, so nature was unavoidable growing up. Seeing tree ferns and palm trees in gardens in South...
If you’ve been tempted by robot mowers but not yet taken the plunge, now might be a good time, as a new generation of robot mowers have seen major changes...
Daniel Carruthers has created a garden in Chester from scratch, charting his adventures on his YouTube channel, The Enduring Gardener, where he shares his journey trying new planting combinations and...
Ferns provide elegant soft green foliage in shady areas of the garden. They’re wonderful when planted under trees with other shade-tolerant perennials such as white astrantia and which work best...
We all need uplifting colour in our lives at the moment in particular, and people are increasingly drawn to planting with bold, vibrant hues to create spaces that are uplifting...
Leaving your soil undisturbed not only saves you time and energy, but benefits the soil and creates healthier plants…so it’s a win, win. You simply cover your bed with a...
How did your love of plants came about?My love of plants came from spending a lot of time with my grandparents as a child. They were keen vegetable growers and...
Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons is just as at home in the garden as on the screen and stage. He finds it grounds him, recalling getting back into the garden after...
In this hugely engaging and informative podcast, Sarah Raven, Arthur Parkinson and guests discuss their favourite flowers and edibles of the season with masses of useful tips on how to...
As the season warms up and our thoughts turn to sowing seeds, a heated propagator is a great asset as they create a consistently warm temperature to help nurture seeds...
The sight of birds, bees and butterflies in the garden is wonderfully uplifting and restorative – and research shows that connecting with nature makes us feel more relaxed and less...
There’s an increasing movement in garden design towards gardens that take their cue from nature. If you’re ready to embrace your wild side, here are a few pointers. Don’t over...
Euphorbias are fabulous foliage plants with many displaying brilliant lime green flowers in spring and summer. Here’s a rundown of a few of our favourites. One of the biggest varieties...
The bubbly bonkbuster author has lived in her picturesque14th Century house in Bisley, Gloucestershire since 1982. The large sprawling garden is idyllically situated with views across the valley and rolling...
Tell us about your career path so far. My grandmother passed on her passion for plants and gardening. After leaving school, I started an apprenticeship at Ventnor Botanic Garden on...
It’s comforting listening to Gardeners' Question Time on its long-standing Sunday afternoon slot. But equally, the beauty of the GQT podcast is that it allows you to binge on this...
If you’re looking for an alternative to hand watering your garden, because it’s too time consuming or because you go away in the summer, a smart irrigation system could be...
Gardens are working harder than ever, being designed with zones for different activities including exercise, relaxation and entertainment. A growing trend is to take the well-being element a step further...
Biophilic design, a popular interior trend that responds to our innate need to be close to the natural world, is said to create a calmer environment and generally make us...
There’s something magical about the way cyclamen lie dormant in warm weather, appearing again when temperatures drop. Despite their dainty appearance, they bloom through frost and snow and, in the...
Actress Elizabeth Hurley lives with her son Damian in a large country house in Herefordshire, with extensive grounds. She’s long been a hands-on gardener; in fact she used to own...
Sophie and Ade’s YouTube channel won the Garden Media Guild’s Vlog of the year with the judges calling it entertaining, well presented and informative. Run from their kitchen garden in...
What are some of the highlights of the winter garden? Frost can create a magical effect on shrubs, grasses and those sturdy perennials able to retain their structure. Low winter...
A birdbox provides a safe place for garden birds such as blue tits, thrushes and sparrows to nest. Installing a specialist bird box camera will give you a wonderful insight...
Scent has a powerful effect on our mood and this is particularly welcome as we move into the colder months. Winter flowers tend to have a particularly powerful perfume as...
Container planting is a growing trend with the sale of outdoor plant pots going up by 225% last year, according to the RHS. Planters can create an instant garden in...
There’s a surprising amount of foliage, berries, branches and even a few blooms to pick and bring in to help decorate your home this Christmas. Yew and fir are perfect...
The celebrity chef, wife Jools and five children, have fabulous gardens surrounding their beautiful 16th century mansion, Spains Hall in Essex. As you’d expect, they enjoy eating al fresco together....
Can you give us an overview of the different species of hellebores? Helleborus x hybridus are more showy and colourful than most of the species. H. niger, the traditional Christmas rose,...
Gardener and RHS writer Andrew O’Brien’s podcast is an interesting combination of thoughtful, lively conversation, horticultural advice and readings from garden and wildlife writers and poets. Guests include both gardeners...
If you’re looking for ways of avoiding polluting the environment with chemical weed killers, but find hand weeding time consuming and unreliable (it’s often hard to get the whole root...
As well as fruit such as blackberries and blueberries, black vegetables like carrots and tomatoes not only look amazing in your garden and on your plate, they’re also extremely nutritious. ...
Whether it’s splashes of inky tulips or swathes of purple foliage, dark hues add depth and drama to the garden borders. There is a wealth of dusky beauties to explore. ...
Garden designer and television presenter, Danny Clarke is passionate about transforming gardens, and can be seen on our screens as part of Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden team on ITV...
From seating and planters to fences and walls, black looks stylish in the garden. It’s also versatile, working in both contemporary and traditional settings. Here are three ways to use...
Berries are great for adding contrasting texture and shape to floral arrangements. Black berries are particularly sophisticated. Here are a few varieties of to look out for. Several viburnum varieties...
As well as being free and easy to make, leaf mould is one of the best soil improvers there is. Here’s what you need to know: Made entirely of leaves...
As gardeners we’re always seeking out products that look after our plants as well as the environment and Le Savonnier Marseillais black liquid soap is a natural way of protecting...
There’s something very beautiful about the warm, faded colours of autumn, moving us slowly into the colder months. There are fewer flowers in the garden, but you might still...
Companion planting is a natural and healthy way of protecting plants from pests and diseases. Growing particular species together, such as aromatic plants next to a row of vulnerable vegetables,...
Having a greenhouse in the garden for growing tomatoes, sowing seeds and extending your growing season is ever-popular. But as well as this, people are increasingly using greenhouses for other...
It’s well known that Prince Charles is passionate about gardens, the countryside and the environment. But less so that his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, shares his passion for gardening. ...
A gardening podcast for plant lovers, this is a lively video podcast presented by Thordis and Alan Gray (of East Ruston Old Vicarage gardens) where they catch up with their...
We’re become increasingly conscious of minimising plastic, and sustainable companies such as Husk are making great strides in helping this happen. A family-run business who have been on a mission...
This small but perfect garden, designed by Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, is a beautiful tapestry of colour even at this time of year. The gardens were created from the...
The world is often a noisy place, especially in urban settings. Research indicates that noise pollution can cause harmful levels of stress, both physically and mentally, and that taking time...
Low maintenance and drought-tolerant, gravel gardens are becoming increasingly popular. They’re perfectly suited to our hot dry summers and have a relaxed airy feel, with plants growing up through gravel...
The late summer garden can still be full of colour. There are roses on their second flush, hydrangeas blushing pink and the last of the echinacea, phlox and penstemon taking...
The popular ITV broadcaster enjoys gardening and has talked about finding it a great form of escapism - particularly during stressful times like lockdown. ‘It’s lovely to just get outside...
It’s easy to overestimate how much water a garden has really had after it’s rained. The soil might look wet, but it could be surface moisture. A rain gauge can...
Gardener and podcaster Ben Dark, has until recently been working as a Head Gardener at a private English country estate but has now moved his family to Copenhagen where he...
Frustrated by the limitations of container gardening on our balcony, we wanted a garden, so some years ago we relocated from London to the Cotswolds. We got our big garden,...
The garden is full of high summer flowers to bring into the house – it’s such a lovely thing to do and helps you really appreciate the detail of your...
Summer in the garden can be unpleasant for hay fever and asthma sufferers, but this needn’t be the case with the right plant choices. Here’s what to consider. As a...
Nigel is Professor of Planting and Urban Horticulture at the University of Sheffield. He’s a horticulturist and designer and has pioneered innovative ecological approaches to planting gardens and public spaces...
Paul and Pauline McBride designed and created this garden from scratch. We first asked them: What was the thinking behind the design? The overall design is a spiral intersected by...
From wild flowers to sedum growing above extensions and sheds, people are increasingly realising the benefits a green roof can bring. Not only are they attractive, they also help keep...
Gardening writer, broadcaster and lecturer, Peter shares his wealth of experience on this horticultural podcast. He talks to horticultural experts from all aspects of the gardening world, from designers Ann-Marie...
Roast chicken in the garden, anyone? If lockdown inspired you to cook al fresco, but you’d like to do more than grill a sausage, it might be worth investing in...
The Virgin Gardener podcast presented by Laetitia Maklouf and Andrew O’Brien is aimed at anyone wanting to green up their space – indoor or out. They have a fabulous line...
Parasols are perfect for creating soothing shade in a favourite seating or dining area in the garden. And with climate change and our growing understanding of the damage the sun...
William Dyson is the Curator at Great Comp; he also runs his own nursery specialising in salvias which is situated within the garden. Can you tell us about the different...
When he’s not on screen or stage, actor Nigel Havers enjoys working in the garden, describing himself as a keen gardener. Becoming a home owner, after buying a house in Wandsworth...
With their gorgeous scent, frilly blooms and beautiful colours, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) make wonderful summer cut flowers. They take a bit of tending to, but the rewards are more...
White is out, in comes something warmer. Rendered garden walls painted a crisp white is a classic look. However, the mood in garden design is turning towards something softer with...
Whether it’s for a moment’s pause or a longer rest, a variety of seating in multiple areas of the garden allows you some calming time out. Mornings and evenings are...
The use of ollas - unglazed porous clay vessels - is an ancient technique for irrigation, saving time energy and water. It’s a simple idea: the clay pot is buried...
This is a podcast devoted to growing fruit and vegetables presented by Laura, the editor of Grow Your Own Magazine, and other members of the team. The show focuses on...
Michael Marriott is one of the world’s leading rosarians. He is also well-known for his rose garden design and his common sense approach to looking after roses. Can you give...
Gardener, writer and television presenter, Alan Titchmarsh, 71, has most recently been on our screens presenting ITV’s ‘Love Your Garden’ and ‘Spring into Summer’. Married to Alison for 46 years,...
The peonies are beginning to wane, but the roses are coming in abundance. Some good varieties for cutting includes R. ‘Irish Hope’, a pale-yellow floribunda; R.’Winchester Cathedral’, a lovely white...
Low maintenance, evergreen and drought tolerant, sedums are perfect for containers. So, it’s no surprise that large ceramic bowls and stone troughs with a collection of low-growing hardy sedum are...
One of the many wonderful things about gardening is that it helps us cultivate our ability to nurture. As humans, caring for something is intrinsically rewarding and mood-enhancing, says the...
The tropical garden trend continues to be popular with people seeking a ‘holiday’ feeling in their own garden. Gardens created using lush, leafy exotics work particularly well in urban situations,...
There’s increasing evidence linking a healthy gut to our physical and mental wellbeing. A healthy microbiome (the ecosystem of micro-organisms in the intestine) helps us digest our food and absorb...
We talk to Tom Coward about developing the historic gardens at Gravetye Manor, East Sussex, created by the ‘wild gardening’ enthusiast William Robinson during the 19th Century. How do you manage...
There’s masses to pick in the garden right now to bring inside and enjoy, whether you have a cutting bed or well-stocked borders. Peonies make wonderful cut flowers, especially the...
When he’s not presenting TV programmes including Good Morning Britain, Ben Shepherd enjoys spending time in his garden with his wife Annie and two boys Sam and Jack. Pictures of...
In the newly revamped plant-based podcast, Michael and Ellen discuss everything from garden design to growing your own fruit and vegetables, with lots of tips along the way. The pair...
Aside from blankets and layers, you might think that firepits are the most eco-friendly way of keeping warm outside, but unless you do your own logging, wood has to be...
The Japanese have been creating beautiful, balanced gardens for centuries. These carefully curated versions of the natural landscape create a calm space designed for contemplation. So, what are some of...
The TV and radio presenter has talked about how her garden has been a great comfort, while her husband Derek Draper continues to suffer the effects of Covid 19. Their...
Creating displays from garden flowers is fun and creative, and the act of scouring the garden for colour each month will help ensure you have flowers to pick all year...
As well as covering boundaries, hedges define the structure of a garden, anchoring the design, creating stability and acting as a crisp foil to more ephemeral planting. Designers are finding...
Tell us about your journey to head gardener here and what you love about it? My mum used to work at Waterperry so I’ve been around the garden all my...
With the weather warming up and garden gatherings back on the cards, you might want to liven up the atmosphere with a little music. There’s an increasing range of wired...
Gardening vlogger Tony O’Neill is a full- time firefighter, but his real passion is gardening and he has created a YouTube channel to offer practical advice on growing organic food...
A good pair of scissors is always useful for gardeners for cutting twine, snipping herbs or a spot of deadheading. And the good news is Fiskars, makers of the iconic...
Pretty bulbs are springing up now in the garden, and although it can feel a shame to pick them, making a small posy to admire up close adds freshness to your house. ...
A passionate gardener and designer, Mike Palmer has recently launched his own podcast. He already had a busy Instagram account where you can see him live on his ‘Sunday Stroll’, showing...
Dreamy romantic gardens seem to be having a revival in the world of garden design. Their untamed wildness ties in with the trend for naturalism and there’s something comforting about...
Charlotte has established a hugely successful garden design business creating stylish and elegant contemporary gardens. She also won a Gold medal at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show as well...
The sight of billowing pink or white cherry blossom against a cloudless blue sky is a joy to behold. In fact, this vision gave such comfort during the first Covid lockdown...
Immersing yourself in the sensory elements of the garden is a great way of creating a haven from the busy world. And while the health benefits of a garden’s visual...
Some of us enjoy being alone more than others. But if Covid has meant spending more time in your own company than you’d like, research by the RHS shows that...
Designers are increasingly turning to bricks and clay pavers, to add warmth, character, texture and pattern to hard landscaping. Reclaimed-style bricks have a rustic charm that work well in a...
Tell us about your journey into horticulture After being made redundant from my job as a broker, I started my own gardening business and trained in horticulture. I saw an...
You’d be surprised how much there is in the garden in February to pick and bring inside. Snowdrops, primroses, violets, aconites, or anything else you can find, make pretty posies. ...
One of our foremost gardening writers, Anna Pavord is extremely well respected for her horticultural knowledge and articulate, engaging writing style. Born in 1940 in Abergavenny, both Anna’s headmaster father...
Organic gardener, author, blogger and vlogger Tanya Anderson’s successful YouTube channel, Lovely Greens, has masses of weekly posts on organic vegetable gardening as well as growing herbs and plants for...
Coldframes are a useful bit of kit for extending your growing season. Basically, a box that lies flat on the ground with a transparent sloping roof, a cold frame allows...
If you’re struggling to remember which bed you planted the onions in last, or the name of a particular variety of perennial that did well, perhaps this is the year...
Using fresh herbs in your cooking gives really lifts flavours and the smart indoor garden from Veritable allows you to have a range of fresh herbs and mini vegetables throughout...
In its video guides, the UK’s biggest organic gardening charity, looks at a range of different solutions to gardening without chemicals. Chris from Garden Organic is a fan of houseplants...
Who: A talented garden designer with a light touch, Sarah’s exquisitely sensitive planting style is informed by her empathy with the natural landscape. Her scope is wide ranging, from public...
Dried foliage and seedheads used to have a dusty image, but a new breed of florists is using them to create bouquets with a fresh contemporary feel. Using ornamental grasses...
Planting more trees is invaluable for the environment and helps complete a garden by adding height, shade and an extra layer of beauty and year round interest. Multi-stem trees in...
There’s nothing like making plans to give you a sense of purpose and positivity. So, put the kettle on and start a list of your good gardening intentions for the...
As well as making wreaths, Christmas is a great time to adorn your staircases, mantelpieces and tables with ivy and other evergreen foliage. And going out on a bright winter’s...
Not much is left in the veg patch at this time of year, but we can always rely on harvesting Brussels sprouts for Christmas. Here are three ways to cook them...
Whether it’s making a morning coffee with fresh beans, or having a G&T by the fire whilst counting your blessings, rituals are part of our lives. Research reveals these little...
With more of us spending time at home, garden rooms are increasingly in demand as another place to work or exercise in, or simply to escape to. But there’s lots...
The wildlife TV presenter has always been passionate about nature, but seems to be becoming increasingly keen on gardening. One of her latest passions is growing dahlias. “When I hit...
Decorating your garden with twinkly lights creates a welcoming and fun festive atmosphere – something we need this year more than ever. Here are a few things to bear in...
If you’re missing your weekly fix of Monty Don in his garden while Gardeners’ World has its winter break, this could fill the gap. In his weekly Youtube vlog, Martin...
Whether you’re an amateur or professional, there’s always so much to learn in the world of horticulture and garden design. This is something garden designer Annie Guilfoyle is passionate about,...
Bulbs are a must for early spring colour, and if you haven’t yet planted yours, there’s still time. It can be a labour-intensive job, but having the right tools saves...
Kiftsgate Court Gardens; Three Generations of Women Gardeners by Vanessa Berridge is published by Merrell Situated high up on a north Cotswold hillside, right next to the more famous...
Parsnips are fabulous winter root vegetables that can be harvested up until January, once the foliage dies back. But their flavour is improved if you wait until after the first...
Low maintenance gardens are ever popular in our busy world. A design that includes good structure with plants and materials that don’t need much upkeep will avoid the garden looking...
The days are getting shorter and temperatures dropping, but don’t let it get you down - embrace winter’s beauty with cheerful berries, bark and blooms. Berries and hips: As well...
Winter and early spring is the best time to feed birds, especially during cold snaps, when their natural food supplies are low. Like us, different species eat different things, so...
Charlotte Petts presents a thought-provoking show about nature in both the countryside and urban spaces. She talks to a wide range of gardeners, designers and environmentalists covering everything from healthy soil...
We interviewed Jessica Evans, head gardener at Knightshayes Court, a National Trust garden in Tiverton. What do you love about the garden at Knightshayes? I was drawn by the plant...
Julie Walters is one of our best-loved actresses, but she is just as happy pottering about in the garden as treading the boards these days. She even celebrated being made...
Autumn is a good time save seed. Leave a few flowerheads on your favourite plants after they've finished blooming to allow the seeds to ripen – aster seeds are attached...
With Halloween and Thanksgiving upon us, now is a great time to get creative with pumpkins. These huge striking orange fruit look almost surreal growing on the earth connected by...
As the temperatures drop, instead of packing up the garden for the winter months, why not embrace the Scandi ‘hygge’ way of life? This advocates wrapping up and enjoying the...
One of the great joys of plants is being able to give and share them. A garden filled with flowers that remind you of your favourite people appeals on an...
As well as being beautiful and relaxing, gardens can also shield us against air pollution from fossil fuels and petrol that damage our health. According to the World Health Organisation, 90%...
The hedgerows are brimming with sloes, so remember to take a pot with you next time you go on a nice autumn walk and gather enough to make some sloe...
The fashion for naturalistic planting continues, and key to this soft, unstructured look is using ornamental grasses. When planted amongst perennials and loosely pruned shrubs, they give the garden wonderful...
The actress, famed for her role in the BBC drama Silent Witness, loves to unwind in her garden. ‘I’m a big gardener, I love gardening’ she says, recently telling Woman...
Winter violas are wonderful hardy little gems that will flower on through the coldest months. Try sowing some seeds now to flower in a few months’ time. Sow seeds thinly and evenly in...
Homegrown apples are a world apart from supermarket-bought ones. An apple tree, with its gorgeous spring blossom and autumn fruit makes an attractive and wildlife friendly addition to any garden,...
Huw is only in his early twenties, but he has been creating YouTube videos on veg growing since he was 12 and is incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable. His hands-on advice...
If you’re in the market for some more garden furniture and are wanting to do something about the environment, the DuraOcean could be the answer. This ground breaking chair, designed...
Drifts of lilac-coloured lavender, humming with bees against a blue sky is a wonderful summer sight. As well as being beautiful, lavender can also be dried – hanging the sprigs upside-down...
The Garden Ninja, aka Lee Burkhill, is a garden designer from the north of England whose YouTube videos give clear, practical advice on design and gardening, helping people avoid common...
The much-loved gardening broadcaster and writer was born in Germany in 1955 – the youngest of five siblings - and christened Montagu Denis Wyatt Don. He is married to Sarah...
Everything is growing very fast now, with plenty of harvesting, deadheading and seed-collecting to be done. Here’s how to keep the garden looking good into autumn. Keep deadheading annuals, perennials and...
Plums are a delicious tangy fruit, great eaten raw but also great for stewing or making jams, crumbles and tarts. ‘Victoria’ is a well-known variety and ‘Blue Tit’ and ‘Opal’ are...
Gardens are working harder than ever as people spend more time in them and appreciate their potential. Designers are increasingly creating separate zones with different purposes to maximise the use...
Gardens that stimulate the senses are a great way to create relaxing outdoor spaces, helping us to physically connect with nature. As well as the familiar scented gardens, tactile gardens...
It’s a joy watching bees in the garden. Sadly, however, they’re on the decline due to systemic pesticides and loss of varied habitats, amongst other things. Bees are vital for...
The latest innovations are designed to ease the strain and make gardening easier. The Bucketbarrow. The wheelbarrow is a mainstay bit of kit for gardeners, yet since its invention thousands of...
London-based gardener Sean James Cameron has been gardening for over 30 years and is passionate about growing his own produce and sharing his knowledge. His most recent videos follow his...
Much-loved food writer, TV presenter and former Great British Bakeoff judge Mary Berry may be renowned for her baking, but less well known is her love of gardening. ‘In another...
Beetroots are easy to grow and can be sown from April to June. Harvest them when they’re the size of a golf ball. They’re delicious and nutritious and great roasted...
Laid-back swinging seats are the height of fashion this summer and a great way of creating a holiday vibe in the garden. Designers are increasingly incorporating everything from hammocks to...
Like so many people, I’ve been appreciating my garden more than ever over recent weeks, but my favourite moment has to be first thing in the morning, before anyone is...
As the weather heats up, having cooling water in the garden is all the more appealing. It creates a calming focal point, adding gentle sound, movement and sparkling light to...
This lively and informative gardening podcast - which recently celebrated 10,000 downloads - makes for comforting and informative listening while you’re doing your gardening or cooking. Fellow head gardeners Saul...
In his new book, Greg explores a fusion between the ever-popular cottage garden of roses and foxgloves and the prairie-style planting of designers like Piet Outdolf, with swathes of grasses...
The trend for green or ‘living walls’ continues in popularity, in both domestic and commercial situations, as the technology advances and more specialist companies are set up. These walls are...
If you’re looking for extra growing space, either in a small garden or because you’ve already packed your garden to the rafters and want to squeeze in some salad leaves,...
Keep deadheading your roses religiously for a succession of blooms. Removing heads instantly smartens up the plant and can keep repeat-flowering roses going for months. Remove the flowers as you...
As if being a brilliant actress and generally classy woman isn’t enough, Judi is also passionate about nature. She is often seen at RHS Chelsea and has a peachy-coloured David...
Courgettes are hungry plants but easy to grow and versatile. Aside from ratatouille, they’re great raw and are easy to grate into salads with a bit of lemon and oil. Alternatively,...
As crafty projects go, this is pretty relaxed as you don’t need any tools or particular material, just twigs, wood and old pots lying around the garden – in fact...
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show may not have happened this year but we can still think of it while we prune back our late flowering herbaceous plants to avoid them...
The world of garden design is seeing a growing shift away from sleek minimalism towards gardens with character and texture, with greater use of recycled materials reflecting growing environmental awareness....
Listening to birdsong is one of the great pleasures of being in our gardens more. And while all birdsong is a delight, getting to know particular bird song brings even...
The award-winning and charismatic celebrity garden designer, presenter and writer, is media friendly and has appeared on various Youtube videos sharing her extensive knowledge and experience of garden design and...
The gardener and TV presenter of BBC2’s Gardener’s World is also a familiar face in the coverage of RHS shows – though we won’t have had the chance to see...
Eating your own homegrown fruit and vegetables is one of the best ways of keeping your immune system strong and healthy – so important at the moment. In particular, eating...
A delicious tart fruit, stewed rhubarb, flavoured with sugar and ginger, is fab cold with yoghurt or hot in crumbles. And it’s harvested from early spring when there are few...
Last month in our Potpourri magazine we ran a competition: write 200 words on the theme of Gardening in the Era of Lockdown and win a £100 Genus gift voucher. ...
If you you’ve noticed any bald patches in your lawn, there’s still time to reseed them. Rough up the area with a rake adding a bit of sharp sand for...
The Oscar-winning actress is a great believer in the power of gardening and has mentioned its benefits in various interviews over the years. She recently spoke about how it soothes...
The next time you weed a bed of nettles, crop them instead, well the tips anyway – they’re a surprisingly tasty, free and vitamin-packed fresh vegetable. They’re also excellent for...
Outdoor kitchens and firepits are big news in garden design. And this chimes with the current situation where we’re spending time at home, eating with the family. We were eating...
Having to stay home is forcing us to stop and appreciate nature instead of hurrying by. And while we can’t all get out into expansive landscapes, we can get close...
Gardeners use a lot of twine at this time of year for making pea and bean wigwams, tying in young stems and marking out lines for seed sowing. If you...
If you’re interested in growing vegetables with a no dig approach, this YouTube channel is an excellent resource. Charles Dowding is an expert in the subject, having pioneered the no-dig...
Normally, this slot in our magazine features gardens to visit around the country, but now with everything closed, we all need to focus exclusively on our own gardens. There is...
Don’t give up on daffodils that didn’t flower this year. Instead try splitting them to give them more space as it’s possible that they’ve become congested. Follow with a feed...
Radio 2 presenter, Zoe Ball is enjoying her beautiful new garden having moved from Brighton to a village in the Sussex countryside. She proudly posted on Instagram an image of...
We may all be in lockdown at home, but this Easter Sunday you can still treat your family to a delicious navarin, a French stew made with seasonal veg.Along with spring...
The colour of the year for 2020, according to Pantone is Classic Blue. This is a strong hue, which the colour company describes as a restful colour, which ‘brings a...
I really enjoyed listening to this informative monthly podcast presented by Chris Young, editor of The Garden magazines. Designed to complement the print content, it goes deeper into topics covered,...
Garden designers have been busy predicting trends for 2020 with large leafed plants and bolder colours anticipated to become increasingly popular. We asked leading Garden Designer Barbara Samitier (MSGD) for...
Mindfulness – which put simply means living fully in the present, rather than worrying about the past or future - has huge benefits including stress relief and better focus. Gardening is...
In April we ran a competition in our magazine inviting subscribers to send in no more than 100 words in answer to the question: Why do you garden?" The prize was...
In our March newsletter Potpourri 2, we ran a competition asking people to send us a short piece entitled "Memories of Gardening with my Mother". The prizes are a pair of...
Last year's wet spring followed by a mild summer led to incredibly enthusiastic growth from the plants in the garden at Genus HQ. Many normally well behaved perennials grew above...
An early morning wander through the woodland garden at Genus HQ is joy at this time of year. No sooner are the spring bulbs dying back than the shrubs -...
Sometimes sheer curiosity takes over and leads us down several (metaphorical) garden paths. Several weeks ago we wrote about the cherry trees at Genus HQ and hand in hand with...
With beautiful bright conditions in the Genus garden we spent some time in the greenhouse sowing a selection of seeds. One of them, canary creeper, is an annual climber related...
Every spring sees frenzied activity on a corner of the Genus HQ lawn. Flying at low level are a dozen or so ashy mining bees searching for new mates and...
A corner of the Genus garden is affectionately known as Cherry Tree Corner and at this time of year it comes into its own with Prunus serrulata ‘Shirotae’, P. Serrula,...
Two weeks ago we mentioned our excitement in the spring while waiting for toads to return to our pond and make merry, where they leave their ribbons of spawn like...
We’re quick off the block in the Genus vegetable garden this year. We planted our first-early potatoes (Epicure) in a nice deep trench and covered them with our homemade compost...
With the sun shining we decided to give the orchard lawn its first cut of the year. We removed fallen twigs and sticks and in some areas the grass was...
Spring has sprung, birds are singing, and borders are coming back to life with early blooms of snowdrops, daffodils, and winter flowering shrubs. But the slowly rising temperatures have initiated...
Garden Excavations We’ve had a busy week at Genus HQ, not on large important projects, but on the smaller jobs that often get relegated to the bottom of the list. ...
Without invitation, Storm Dudley passed through the Genus garden last week. ‘Only a broken pot’ or so we thought, until from the kitchen window we spotted the top of our...
After raking out fallen branches and debris from under our recently renovated beech hedge (we gave it a serious short back, top, and sides) we decided to renew and freshen...
Lovely weather for the last few days has given us a great opportunity to get to work pruning the apple and pear trees in our orchard. We deal with each...
Back in early December, 10:35 am on the 8th to be precise, we sowed four rows of broad beans in the Genus vegetable garden. Through all the recent cold, freezing,...
Recent mulching activity at Genus HQ has left the compost heaps empty and ready to receive more material to use later this year. One bay containing recently cut-back and uncomposted...
Searching for interest in the garden at this time of year can often be a challenge. The early bulbs may be starting to show, the wonderful range of coloured and...
Last month we were busy weeding, cutting back perennials, and planting tulip bulbs in the flower garden. With that work completed, the beds were ready for a mulch to be...
We recently started to fill the bird feeders that sit just outside the French doors at Genus HQ. It didn’t take long for the local population to discover what we’d...
As gardeners we love it when plants behave, flower well, and appear to have read the book on good behaviour. Maybe that salvia hard-pruned in late spring has flowered non-stop...
As you enter into the flower garden at Genus HQ you pass under a metal arch planted with a rose, clematis, and honeysuckle; a beautiful combination, scented, and often providing...
With a day of dry weather and our borders cut back, we found time to plant the tulip bulbs that had been awaiting this moment for over a month. Robust...
Several freezing days made clearing the last remaining fallen leaves hard work. Some were stuck together with the frost while others protected by hedging or evergreen shrubs were easy to...
For several days our mornings have been initiated by beautiful sunrises making early starts a joy. The low sun casts long shadows across the orchard and the local dog fox...
Previously we’ve extolled the virtues of keeping circles clear of grass underneath our fruit trees in the orchard. Without competition from grass the trees establish quickly and the clear area...
After several hours collecting fallen leaves we found time to get onto the borders and start cutting back the withered annuals and perennials. Plant supports we hadn’t seen for six...
It's two weeks later than in previous years, but the leaves have started falling and our work is cut out for the next few weeks. The large stands of sycamore...
With guests imminent this week we spent some time putting together a vase for the Genus dining table. Despite being so late in the season and with frosts not far...
There was a change in the air this week with cold starts and artful spider webs adorned with pearls of dew. The low morning sun often above the trees in...
The two greenhouses at Genus HQ received a bit of much needed attention this week. Due to their location next to a small copse, several sycamore branches overhang them and...
Our raised vegetable beds have served us well this year and with a number of them now empty we took the opportunity to carry out repairs. Nearly ten years old,...
About five years ago we planted a hornbeam hedge on the front boundary that faces the lane and our neighbours opposite. Regular mulching and irrigation in the early years meant...
With the imminent arrival of autumn we thought we’d better construct a new bin for the abundance of fallen leaves that we get here at Genus HQ. The upright wooden posts...
At busy times of the year it’s easy for us to forget to enjoy our gardens and spend time simply sitting and looking. Having done just that, we're happy to...
We spent some time in the vegetable garden this week. Comprising more than twenty small raised beds, it’s taken a bit of a back seat in recent weeks and needed some...
As we mentioned last week, some time in the borders tidying, dead heading, and tieing-in would be the order of the day. Many of the dahlias had broken loose from...
We’ve paid the price again for having a few days away from the garden. The lawns are now meadows, the weeds are appearing everywhere, and the perennials in the flower...
Do your gardening clothes look like this? We're fascinated by what people wear when they're gardening. Email us your images and tell us what you like/hate about your clothes. Send...
This picture of leaves may seem unremarkable but it shows encouraging signs for those of us with who enjoy the glorious sight of a horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) in flower...
Fans of alliteration will enjoy recent posts from the Genus garden. Last time The Chelsea Chop. This week The Hampton Hack!! Quite where that name originated we don’t know but it...
We’ve written before about the range of climbing plants that envelop the walls here at Genus HQ. One such plant that we rarely see in other gardens is Schizophragma hydrangeoides...
Just like everyone else we’ve been experiencing extremes of heat in the Genus garden over the last week or two. Heavy rains before it all started have meant that soil...
We spent some time in the Genus greenhouse this week. Early mornings are always best for this operation before the sun creeps over the trees and makes temperatures under glass...
Another lovely week in the Genus garden and once again we're talking staking. Dahlias in particular have reached a point where they could quickly become a mess if high winds...
We’ve been having suspicions for a few weeks. Bark stripped off a pair of Magnolia stellata, a ground cover rose relieved of all its buds, little scuffs dug out around...
Some time was spent in the flower garden this week dealing with plants knocked by the previous week's rain and wind. Tidied up and staked where necessary, we managed to...
One of us had a week off recently. It coincided with the start of the lovely weather and was the perfect time to unwind by the sea. Unfortunately the garden...
We don’t have a huge collection of euphorbias here at Genus HQ but those we do have are cherished for their contribution to the beds and borders. In spring visitors...
In the Genus garden Malus, cherry, Sorbus, and Amelanchier are trees with exceptional blossom but a favourite on a totally different scale are the Aesculus trees - the horse chestnuts. ...
This week was particularly busy with an upcoming photoshoot looming and everything working around the unpredictable weather. With heavy rain from the start we spent time in the greenhouse potting...
We’re under more pressure than usual to get the garden looking nice due to an upcoming photoshoot at the end of the month. Looking at pictures from this time last...
More sowing and more mowing were on our list of jobs to get done this week. Cool mild weather has kept the grass growing and with one large orchard lawn...
Our attention was focussed in and around the Genus greenhouse this week with our seedlings getting either potted on or hardened off. The sunflowers ‘Ring of Fire’ and ‘Buttercream’ have...
‘Mind the gap’ is a familiar term with those of us who've been on the London Underground, but it's also become a common phrase here at Genus HQ in recent years. ...
With our grass now growing well, lawns were the focus for us this week. After edging they all received a pass from the mower and produced a surprising amount of...
The beautiful weather of the last few days has propelled us into seed sowing mode. The majority of our seeds are for annuals; gap fillers and punctuation points to be...
We've been cutting down our deciduous grasses this week. In summer one corner of our border is a beautiful tangle of tall perennials such as rudbeckia, helenium, helianthus, and dahlias. ...
The recent addition of French doors at genus HQ has opened up a whole new vista for us to observe while eating our breakfast. Unfortunately the planting in this area...
We’ve been wanting to enlarge one of our flower beds for some time and with beautiful weather still on the cards we decided to start work. The rather rotten wooden...
With a week of high pressure giving us glorious sunny days we decided to get into the vegetable garden and sow some broad beans. Very hardy, and very tasty, broad...
It’s March tomorrow and it's getting busy out there in the garden. As you can see, Joff has been pruning the roses in the Genus garden. Here are our top 10...
The milder weather we’ve been having over the last few days has enabled us to get on with the work that was postponed by the previous week's deep freeze. With...
What a week! Freezing cold temperatures, ground frozen, and scatterings of snow. Plans that were previously made to sow seeds suddenly seemed laughable and a quick mental pivot was required...
Mulching. We’re at it again! It was only just before Christmas that we were talking about spreading compost on the flower borders. It’s something we’re passionate about. A decade of...
When we first moved into the cottage at Genus HQ it had a functional but extremely ugly concrete garage. It’s the first thing we see on our return home and...
Gardeners are an optimistic bunch, never put off by failures, always trying again, and always looking to the future. Small but barely noticeable signs at Genus HQ have made us...
As you read this, galanthomania is sweeping the country and keen snowdrop fans, or galanthophiles, are dropping to their knees to inspect the delicate petals of some of the rarer...
Every six months we renovate our mulched tree circles in the orchard at Genus HQ. Weeds are removed, the edges clipped with our trusty French Bahco shears, and a top...
Winter gardens concentrate the mind. It’s the detail that counts. Whether peering at the delicate formation of a snowdrops perianth, the frosted hairs on brittle seed heads, or the last...
Stepping out the back door of Genus HQ last week we were slapped in the face by wind and cold driving rain. As devotees of performance gardenwear we weren’t going to let...
A day in the fruit cage beckoned this week. The blackcurrants have responded well to a complete cut back and renovation that we gave them in late 2019. A wealth...
It’s that time of year again and the search for Christmas gifts at full throttle. Gardeners past enjoyed a now familiar set of innovative products bought as special gifts. During...
With the Genus borders planted up with tulips and wallflowers we were finally able to get on with mulching. This has been an annual operation since we moved here over ten years...
The first thing you learn when using ‘black’ plants in the garden is that they’re rarely black; dark reds, purples, and sometimes dark blues are usually the norm. Despite this,...
‘Hands up who likes blackfly’? No, we don’t either. They often appear suddenly in the garden and can cause several problems that need to be dealt with.The bean aphid Aphis...
We love Aeonium ‘Zwartcop’. It’s a tender branching succulent that can grow up to 1.2 metres high and is a perfect specimen to have as an architectural centrepiece in pots...
Good weather last week enabled us to get several hundred tulips planted in the borders at Genus HQ. This week we overplanted the tulips with the wallflowers that were sown...
We’re planting several hundred tulips this week. Hooray!! They arrived several weeks ago but we’ve been trying to make space in the beds to plant them. We’ve gone for some...
Ornamental grasses are extremely popular with gardeners in the UK. With their height, movement, and colour they easily earn their place in any garden. Last week could well have been...
Some days at Genus HQ have to be more about the infrastructure than the plants, so this week we put aside a day to complete a few practical tasks that...
It’s getting colder, the leaves are falling fast and it’s time to tidy up dead and tatty growth and prepare for winter. Protect slightly tender herbaceous plants like penstemon or Verbena bonariensis...
Ordering spring bulbs is an exciting job. An evening in with the fire lit, a cat on your lap, and bulb catalogues spread all around. Perfect!! But it’s not until...
It’s at this time of year that we realise the garden here at Genus HQ, whilst still retaining colour in the flower borders, is lacking colour elsewhere, particularly in the...
New french doors at Genus HQ have replaced a window and necessitated the removal of a grape vine that was originally trained over it. Groundworks had disturbed the roots, grapes...
The north facing wall of the cottage at Genus HQ has a number of climbers but in autumn the ‘orange peel’ clematis ‘Bill MacKenzie’ shines a light into this shadier...
Autumn is the time to clear up the garden and begin soil preparation and bulb planting for next spring. Tall shrubs like buddleia which will be pruned hard in spring,...
You may remember our disappointment a few weeks ago when we wrote of the sorry state of the garden at Genus HQ after the winds and rain had battered the...
Plants are like children. There are the naughty troublesome ones that require constant supervision, the loud shouty ones that are actually quite delicate, and the ones that just quietly get...
Forward notes are a wonderful thing. There’s always so much to do in the garden that without some planning important jobs would be missed. And so it was this week...
We mentioned late season colour last time and we also mentioned that our focus was on our spring borders which have been lacklustre for the last few years. Consequently the...
We’ve been honing the late season colour palette of the garden at Genus HQ over the last few years, going from ‘not a lot’ to ‘more than enough’. Each year...
Scion, cleft, four flap, and whip are some of the terms we’re getting acquainted with over the next few weeks; words we haven’t used since our college days! Last week...
2020 must surely go down as the gardeners’ ‘year of the cherry’. We’ve waited years for our trees to produce a respectable crop and this year they excelled, benefiting from...
We’ve talked about the climbing plants at Genus HQ before and we’ve probably mentioned the philadelphus on the north side of the cottage. Planted in the border some years ago...
No not the latest football scores! We’ve already mentioned how organised we’ve been this year with our mulching and timely staking. Another job we carried out was the much vaunted...
We’ve started spotting one of our favourite plants in several gardens recently. Deservedly so. Dianthus carthusianorum comes from Spain and other parts of Europe where it’s primarily a grassland species but...
High summer is here with gardens in full bloom and plenty of vegetables to crop and enjoy. Here’s how to keep on top of it all: With garden centres teaming...
After the excitement of spring and the fecundity of early June we have started to fill areas in the garden with annual flowers. Some have already been sown in-situ and...
