A dreamy duo in bloom – dusky-pink hellebores and chequered fritillaries swaying gently in dappled shade. Their pastel nodding heads catch the spring sunshine, with ferns unfurling behind in their...
I love Spring- the season of hope! We live in the North of England so we’ve had snowdrops, pulmonaria and hellebores brightening the garden and now we have the joy...
I am lucky to be looking after a Kate Gould designed garden in North West London where in early Spring a richly coloured Hammamelis with it's orangey fringed flowers and...
A couple of years ago I decided my front lawn needed some spring colour - so I bought dozens of crocus bulbs and planted them into the grass during the...
A number of years ago we dug out an area to build a wildlife pond. What do we do with the heap of soil that resulted? On investigating possibilities, I...
In spring, our garden starts coming back to life. The lawn greens up, fruit trees begin to bud, and everything feels fresher. The greenhouse fills with seedlings, and the allotment...
Our Genus Discovered tour was all about focussing on showcasing real Genus customers and their amazing growing spaces, so we were really excited to meet Emma O’Neil the Head Gardener at Garden Organic. Garden...
In an era where gardening content can often take a somewhat serious tone, it’s a joy to find three self-described ‘getting on a bit’ sisters who have carved out their...
When we first contacted Linda Plummer for our Genus Discovered tour she was apprehensive. She called us up explaining that her garden was far from tidy and perfect borders and that her...
Brilliant Hori Hori Delighted with my fantastic Hori Hori. It’s strong and makes hand weeding tough plants like dandelion and creeping buttercup so much easier. A lifetime of gardening and...
Fans of Genus include many famous gardeners and well-known writers. Susie White is one of them. Her achievements are many: Finalist Garden Media Guild Journalist of the Year 2022 Highly...
I am Gill and live in lovely East Devon, taking care of half an acre of garden, along with my husband, Stephen. Today I have been spring cleaning the greenhouse, in full...
Hello Attached is a very recent photo of me wearing my Genus trousers - I was planting with the garden designer Juliette Sargeant - working on a new garden at...
I wore my Genus pants and top assisting at a garden propagation workshop in Mt Wilson, NSW Australia. Would love you to make the slim pants in green or black! ...
I spotted the offer of a £10 voucher (if lucky!) in your recent email by sending an image of someone wearing Genus clothing. I was helping out with a re-wilding...
My husband David in our garden wearing his Genus clothing. Genus clothing makes fabulous birthday and Christmas presents for a keen gardener!
Regards
Mairi
David sent in this blogpost and won a pair of waterproof gardening gloves. As I set off to pick my way as carefully I can past the drifts of rudbeckia,...
Jill sent in this blogpost and won a pair of waterproof gardening gloves. The tree surgeon came this week. A very large and straggling Cornus Mas has been brought under...
From time to time, customers contact us to ask about the fabrics in Genus gardening clothes. Do they contain chemicals? What makes them waterproof? Will they affect my sensitive skin? So...
While I do indeed garden while wearing these marvellous trousers, they are also perfect for animal husbandry, the pockets are especially useful as are the built in knee pads. Whilst...
We ran a competition in the May 2023 issue of the Genus Potpourri magazine. 5 reasons to love Genus trousers. George won a Genus voucher for £50. Love all my genus...
We ran a competition in the May 2023 issue of the Genus Potpourri magazine. 5 reasons to love Genus trousers. Christine won a Genus voucher for £50. My 5 reasons: 1....
We ran a competition in the May 2023 issue of the Genus Potpourri magazine. 5 reasons to love Genus trousers. Brenda won a Genus voucher for £50. 1. Wearability - Comfortable,...
We ran a competition in the May 2023 issue of the Genus Potpourri magazine. 5 reasons to love Genus trousers. Susan won a Genus voucher for £50. 1. Stab proof secateur pocket...
We ran a competition in the May 2023 issue of the Genus Potpourri magazine. 5 reasons to love Genus trousers. Martina won a Genus voucher for £50. 1. The trousers...
Seeing snowdrops, aconites and iris unguicularis emerging from our cold, wet clay and flowering their socks off, fills me with hope that anything is possible! Thank you, Rachel. A...
Snowdrops – each little green bud a tightly packed powerhouse, bursting with promise, strength, beauty and hope for the future, every one a tiny miracle. Thank you, Pamela. A...
At Rose Cottage, January reveals more open views through leaf less trees; it’s the structure of the garden unclothed. It’s a time to plan the next seasons and assess the...
We received this lovely contribution from Jill Stewart and we sent her a £50 voucher to spend at Genus. Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire is the ancestral home of George Washington with...
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...
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...
A very easy way to make your garden a little bit greener with absolutely no effort is to participate in No Mow May. This initiative, spearheaded by the charity Plantlife,...
Butterflies are often the stars of the show when it comes to winged insects in the garden, but did you know there are around 2500 species of moth in the...
If you’re planning a summer holiday and beginning to worry about how to keep your plants alive and thriving while you’re away from home, perhaps its time to consider a...
Alliums are fantastic flowers which pack a punch in a pot or a mixed border. They’re great for colour, structure and impact – and pollinators love them too. Part of...
There’s something about fragrance which triggers memories and feelings, and the sense of smell really comes alive in the garden – we’re surrounded by different scents which might evoke a...
Grow basil Sow basil seeds for a tasty addition to your kitchen garden – they make a great companion crop for tomatoes. The aromatic compounds in basil are thought to...
Did you know that getting your hands dirty can be good for you in more ways than one? As well as boosting our mental and physical health, gardening and coming...
For Will Cronin, gardens have never just been a job. They have been a lifelong calling shaped by a love of the outdoors, a deep personal ethos, and a passion...
Peat-free composts are now widely available in garden centres and shops, with more and more gardeners moving to this kind of growing media. Peat-free is better for the environment, helping...
Plant dahlias Dahlia tubers can be planted up now to start them into growth. The safest way to do this to avoid damage from slugs or late frosts is to...
More and more bees are on the wing this month and bumblebees are among the most distinctive. The queens emerge in spring to feed on nectar and pollen to get...
For a long time this plant was known as Dicentra - now it’s been renamed Lamprocapnos spectabilis. In any case its common name is ‘bleeding heart’, which is much easier...
It’s that time of year when you can step outside wearing a thick jacket, woolly hat and gloves and half an hour later you’ll be standing there in a T-shirt,...
Horticulture has always evolved alongside the people who share it. Today, some of the most influential gardeners are not found behind historic estate walls or on show garden podiums, but...
Have you noticed an increase in birdsong yet? By mid-March lots of our garden birds will have warmed up their vocal chords, ready for the dawn chorus to get going...
Revive your lawn You can start mowing your lawn again if the weather conditions are agreeable; once it’s around 7cm high, choose a dry day and keep blades high to...
If you have fruit trees in your garden, the chances are you may be attracting a bonnie bird with an appetite for blossom buds! Bullfinches are shy but striking -...
Corylus, or hazel, is a versatile, long-lived and wildlife-friendly tree, providing year-round interest. During this month, long, yellow catkins are hanging from hazel branches, like little lanterns in our gardens...
Gardeners usually spend a lot of time, energy and money trying to prevent pests from attacking their plants. However there’s a method of pest control which aims to attract those...
If you’re already making holiday plans for this year, or you’re concerned about a repeat of last year’s prolonged dry spells, consider investing in some gadgets to take the worry...
Wool isn’t just for cosy jumpers at this time of year - it’s also very useful in the garden. Versatile and abundant, wool is increasingly being used in various forms...
If your houseplants are looking a bit worse for wear after a long winter blasted by cold draughts and central heating, consider investing in an AI-powered green gadget to help...
One of the cheeriest sights to keep you going until the light finally shifts and the darkest days of winter are behind us is surely the sight of a selection...
It’s not just green spaces which can improve our mental health and wellbeing - blue spaces are proven to have similar beneficial effects. Being close to water, with its calming...
In a world where speed, scale and imports dominate the flower industry, Ben Cross has chosen a different path; one rooted in heritage, sustainability and an unwavering belief that British...
Sow sweet peas It’s never too early to sow sweet peas - those started in autumn or winter are generally stronger and flower earlier than spring-sown, but you do need...
You might be casually looking out of the kitchen window, cup of tea in hand, surveying the borders and pondering what should go in that gap by the magnolia…when suddenly...
Michael Perry is not your traditional plantsman - and that’s precisely why he’s become one of the most recognisable figures in modern horticulture. Known to many as Mr Plant Geek, Michael...
One of the most beneficial resources for wildlife may be growing in your garden, with no effort or maintenance at all required from you. Lichen is considered one of the...
A heated propagator is an essential bit of kit if you’re someone who likes to raise plants from seed, and wants to get the growing season off to an early...
Is there anything more uplifting in the depths of winter than discovering the first few spidery flowers unfurling on a witch hazel? These otherworldly blooms provide a bright miniature explosion...
How calming is your garden? We can use colour to create a peaceful and harmonious feel in our outdoor space, which soothes the senses and makes us feel calm. If...
Cut back hellebore leaves If you have hellebores in your garden they’ll benefit from a tidy up around now. Cut all leaves back to the ground and you should discover...
There are some people in horticulture whose careers grow slowly, gently, season by season. And then there are those whose paths unfurl with the quiet determination of a tree finding...
December is a time for giving, celebrating and decorating, and inevitably that may involve buying cut flowers for your home, or gifting an arrangement to a loved one. It’s worth...
Are you lucky enough to live in an area of the UK where there are red squirrels? Although greys are much more commonly spotted in parks and gardens across the...
If you have a gap in your garden tool bag for a special pair of scissors, consider getting your hands on some handcrafted, Teflon-coated Garden Pruners. Small but powerful, these...
Evergreen, easy-going, shrubby sage is not just a classic Christmas ingredient, it’s also a long-lived and rewarding addition to your herb garden. Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is the standard culinary...
In the depths of winter, when the weather is poor or time is short during the festive season, we occasionally have to resort to indoor activities. However, we can still...
Harvest sproutsIf you’re growing your own Brussels sprouts for Christmas, they should be ready to pick this month. They taste sweeter after a frost, so bear the weather forecast in...
Ladybirds are a welcome sight in our gardens, helping to keep aphids and other pests under control. They’re brightly coloured and distinctive, so where do they hide in winter? Ladybirds...
One of the most interesting innovations in gardening lately is compressed coir compost. Coir is a natural fibre which comes from the outer husk of coconuts, and is being used...
Fieldfares are visitors to our gardens and parks during the winter months - they come to the UK from Scandinavia and Russia from September to April, sticking to rural areas...
One of the most misunderstood plants in our gardens, ivy is lush, evergreen, symbolic and valuable to insects and wildlife. English ivy (Hedera helix) is the most common form of...
Plant bare roots Many woody plants, like fruit trees, shrubs, hedges, roses and some perennials, can be bought from nurseries and specialist growers as bare root plants. In other words,...
Jamie Butterworth is part of a new wave of horticulturists redefining what it means to be a plantsman in the modern world - blending craftsmanship, science, and storytelling. At just...
When the days get shorter and the temperature drops it’s all too easy to embrace the indoors - a cosy corner, a hot drink and a seed catalogue is all...
Roz Chandler didn’t grow up knowing she would become a flower farmer. In fact, when she first moved to a five-acre smallholding near Milton Keynes in 2007, it was livestock,...
The weather may be turning, but think back to just a few weeks ago when repeated heatwaves left our gardens wilting. Hosepipe bans are becoming a frequent occurrence in many...
The Irish word for hedgehog is ‘gainneog’, which means ‘ugly little thing’. Surprising, as these little spiky mammals are usually considered a very cute garden visitor! Hedgehogs are a gardener’s...
Is it late summer, or early autumn? This between-season time can throw all kinds of weather at us. Whether the sun is shining or not, there are still plenty of...
You’ve been working hard on your plot all year - sowing seeds, tending to young plants, protecting them from frost, wind, pests and disease, keeping them watered and making sure...
Sow broad beans Broad beans are not only tasty and easy to grow, but they’re hardy and capable of withstanding colder temperatures. Sow them in autumn for an early crop...
It’s not surprising that a native tree that has held such an important role in the British countryside has a wealth of folklore surrounding it. Oak trees have been considered...
Pea shoots A great way to add a new flavour to your salads and to add that little touch of restaurant quality - try pea shoots. They’re an easy addition...
Has there ever been such a dramatic pivot in the search for a new career? Just a few years ago, Katy Watson was performing solo to audiences of 2,000, her...
Order bulbs There are several ways to purchase bulbs and I suspect like most gardeners we’ve done them all over the years. These are the options. 1. Take advice from...
Aeoniums are an incredibly popular genus of succulent plants that are most often used in potted displays and brought inside during the colder months to keep them frost free. Gardeners...
There are over 2,500 species of moth in the UK. Compare that to butterflies with 60 species and you can see the important role moths play in the ecology of...
When you first hear of thermogenesis in plants, you think “Surely not! How can a plant warm itself up?” Well, the news is in, they can, and it’s happening in...
We love collared doves. They’re often around the garden grazing under the bird feeders and the margins of the surrounding fields. Barely known in the UK prior to the 1950s,...
Adam Kirtland is a gardener who has surged onto the gardening scene in recent years with his informative, relatable, and often incredibly witty Instagram account that offers advice from making...
Propagate clematis Many clematis will have flowered by now and you may have spotted a particularly good performer in your own or a friend’s garden. Now is a good time...
We have a number of elder trees dotted around the edges of the Genus garden and we have discovered that in earlier times elder trees were frequently planted near homes...
Onion from seed - try Cipolla borretana Most of us are used to growing onions from ‘sets’ - ready grown baby onions. Growing from seed though is very easy and...
Figs make wonderful garden plants with green, deeply lobed leaves, and of course the potential to provide sweet golf ball sized fruit. These figs are the edible fruit of Ficus...
Anyone who frequents social media will have seen examples of etiolation, especially in the first few months of the year. Ever keen to get started, new gardeners will often sow...
If you have a busy life, time is short, or you just want to sample something new, why not try growing perennial vegetables? It’s one way to avoid the annual...
Clean greenhouse glass Last month we recommended different forms of shading for your greenhouse. Whether painted on or draped over, it is only usually only required on the south side...
Kathy Slack’s story is one of inspiration to anyone caught in a career trajectory spiralling out of control. Trapped in the corporate world of advertising, her journey from burnout and...
Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, is a beautifully scented perennial plant growing along river banks and in damp meadows and has been used in various ways for centuries wherever it appears. As...
You may have noticed in recent years that the scientific names of some plants have been changing. As an example, Sedum has become Hylotelephium. Michaelmas daisies, commonly referred to with...
Dianthus as a genus contains around 340 species but one of our favourites in the Genus garden has to be Dianthus carthusianorum, the Carthusian Pink. Named after an order of...
A summer visitor, swifts screaming across the evening skies are a common sight in July but their visit to the airspace over our gardens is fleeting. Arriving in May they...
Parents-to-be may have the sex of their newborn in the forefront of their minds but few of us ever suspect it to be an issue when choosing plants for our...
We find there's always something magical about stumbling across orchids during a countryside walk. With their stunning flowers they’ve been weaving their way into our stories and folklore for centuries....
If you’re lucky enough to have a pond in your garden there’s every chance that you’ll be rewarded with the spectacle of dragonflies skimming over the water’s surface. There are...
Lupins are a wonderful perennial plant to have in the garden in June. From their mounds of fingered foliage to their beautiful spires of colourful flowers they’ve become a ‘must...
At 16, confined by illness and having to attend the sixth form on a part time basis, Chris Young discovered his life's purpose between the rose bushes, natural history, and...
Staking If you haven't already done it, this month is your last chance to carry out effective staking of your perennials. The recent spell of fine weather can lure us...
Why not try something new in the vegetable garden this year? Italian vegetables have grown in popularity in recent years faring well in the UK climate. There are three we’d...
You may have noticed certain trees clinging on to their leaves throughout winter and well into spring until new replacements start to appear. This holding on to last year's leaves...
Plant out half hardy annuals Your greenhouse or window sills are probably groaning under the weight of annual plants that you’ve been caring for since sowing them a few months...
Was Fiona Cumberpatch destined to become a gardener and garden writer? With parents living ‘The Good Life’ in their traditional Cambridgeshire cottage during the 1970’s, and grandparents maintaining their classic...
Dandelion, that bright yellow native species belonging to the Asteraceae family (daisies and asters), are steeped in folklore in every part of the world in which they occur. Who doesn’t...
Have you got bats in your belfry, barn, or roof space? Commonly seen at dusk as they leave their roosts to hunt for insects, bats as a species are spread...
Sea thrift always takes us back to holidays on the coast with memories of windswept sand dunes and rocky outcrops. Tolerant of salt and dry soils, sea thrift is distributed...
Plant out potatoes Whether you’ve just purchased your potato tubers or you’ve had them chitting away for several weeks, now is the time to get them outside and into the...
Alexandra Campbell’s journey into horticulture began long before she ever put pen to paper. Growing up as the daughter of a diplomat, moving home was a regular occurrence and she...
In recent years the ability of trees to ‘communicate’ with each other has been well documented. Researchers have discovered communication systems amongst trees and far from being passive organisms, it...
We’re always excited when April arrives because one of our favourite plants, Pulsatilla vulgaris, will be in flower this month. Commonly known as the pasqueflower, they are small low growing...
Discounting voles, shrews, and rats, three types of mice are commonly seen in gardens - the house mouse, the wood mouse, and the yellow necked field mouse. Being in a...
Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris, is also known by a variety of names such as kingcup, yellow marsh marigold, and cowslip. The name ‘kingcup’ is believed to have originated from the...
Plant based packaging is becoming increasingly popular, moving away from the regular wood-pulp cardboard box and plastic bubble wrap to more ingenious and imaginative uses of plant based materials. From...
With many British gardens often characterised by muted tones and traditional cottage garden designs, Manoj Malde is undoubtedly a breath of fresh air in the world of garden design. His...
We’ve planted hundreds of snake's head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) over the years. A member of the Lily family, they’re distinguished by their uniquely patterned cup-shaped flowers and wiry stems. A...
Discovering a toad in the garden is always a moment to celebrate. It’s almost impossible to spot one and not recount the tale over the dining table that evening. Who...
Saffron is a popular spice in Britain where it’s enjoyed in buns, cakes, and rice dishes. The source of the spice, famously more expensive than gold, is the saffron crocus...
Quietly thriving in the churchyard of Fortingall village in Perthshire, Scotland is the U.K.’s oldest yew tree. The Fortingall Yew has witnessed thousands of years of human history, with experts...
The appearance of daffodils is often the first sign of the changing seasons. These flowers have long been associated with fertility and new life, and a gift of daffodils is...
It’s surprising for a plant that has become so entrenched in folklore that snowdrops are not actually indigenous to Britain. While the precise date of their introduction remains a subject...
We always celebrate the arrival of our spring and summer migrants such as swallows, swifts, cuckoos and nightingales. Less celebrated and often creeping in under the radar are our winter...
A favourite houseplant in the winter months especially around Christmas, Cyclamen are also wonderful, long-lived garden plants. A native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of Iran and Somalia, they...
Plant-based insulation is emerging as a leading choice for environmentally-conscious homeowners and as an alternative, not only providing good thermal efficiency but also meeting eco-friendly living requirements and practices. With...
Most of us were affected by the Covid lockdown of 2020. None more so than Sophie van Gerwen whose contraction of the disease and the subsequent debilitating effects of long-covid...
Robin's pincushions, sometimes referred to as bedeguars (from the Middle French bedegard, and Persian bādāward) are distinctive galls that form on wild roses when the gall wasp, Diplolepis rosae, lays...
The Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) is probably one of the most exciting botanical discoveries of the 20th century. Endemic to Australia this conifer was unknown to science until 1994, when...
Snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis (meaning ‘milk flower of the snow’), originated across Central and Southern Europe. Botanical historians believe the Romans may have introduced the plant. The first documented cultivation is...
We’ve previously written about the traditional production of rubber from plantations of the Amazonian rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. It may come as a surprise that rubber is also produced commercially...
Lee Connelly, better known to some as The Skinny Jean Gardener, came to prominence as CBBC’s Blue Peter Gardener, appearances on BBC ‘Teach’, and BBC Radio One. His theatre tour...
Prune climbing roses December can be a good time to deal with any climbing roses you have on the cottage or garden walls. We always try to keep everything tight,...
Every year, December visitors to Trafalgar Square in London get to enjoy a Christmas tree that stands as a symbol of friendship between Norway and Britain. It’s a tradition that began...
What bird could be more symbolic of winter that the red breasted Robin? A gardener’s friend, the robin will often follow keen gardeners around the garden, investigating any recently turned...
Mistletoe's Christmas association and traditions can be found in both ancient mythology and relatively modern customs. The familiar custom of kissing beneath mistletoe, while often assumed to be ancient, only...
Cotton has been shaping human civilization for millennia, with evidence of its use dating back to prehistoric times. The soft, fluffy fibre that grows protectively around cotton seeds was domesticated...
The tawny owl (Strix aluco), is a medium-sized owl species widely distributed across Europe and western Siberia. It’s a common sight in woodlands and has successfully adapted to urban environments...
Clearing Borders With many plants now beyond their best it’s time to consider clearing your borders. Although an operation that many are choosing to leave until the spring, we...
The blackthorn or sloe, scientifically known as Prunus spinosa, is a well known countryside plant and appears frequently in Celtic folklore and mythology. This thorny shrub is intrinsically linked with...
Isaac Newton's 370-year-old apple tree at Woolsthorpe Manor has been a symbol of scientific inspiration for over three centuries. While the exact details of his famous epiphany are hard to...
Roy Lancaster, born in 1937, is one of British horticultures most recognised figures. Growing up in Bolton, Lancashire, he embarked on a journey that would take him around the world...
Rubber is a versatile material with ancient roots first utilised by indigenous cultures like the Olmecs, Maya, and Aztecs who discovered natural latex from the Hevea tree, using it in...
Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo or maidenhair tree, is a unique species, native to East Asia, and is the last survivor of the Ginkgoales order of plants, which first...
From fishing rods, to cooking utensils, sunglasses to flooring, bamboo has a multitude of uses. In recent years bamboo products have been appearing in shops offering a sustainable alternative to...
Harriet Rycroft is best known for being the Queen of Pots. Her position as head gardener at the Warwickshire based Whichford pottery gave her the chance to hone her skills...
Sow sweet peas Sweet peas sown towards the end of October will be well developed by next spring and ready to plant out giving a nice early display. We sow...
Often known commonly as silver grass, the versatile Miscanthus is a tall grass that has been gracing our gardens for generations, evolving from a Victorian favourite to a modern landscape...
With over 650 species of spider in the UK it’s surprising we don’t see a wider range of species when out and about in the garden. Of course, autumn is...
Brambles, or blackberries, call them what you will, are steeped in fascinating folklore. One common tale warns against eating the fruit after Michaelmas Day, the feast of Saint Michael that...
Advolly Richmond is a familiar face to viewers of Gardeners World. A garden historian, her slots on the popular BBC show cover subjects ranging from lawns, to Japanese gardens, famous...
Sow hardy annuals directly for spring colour Early autumn presents an ideal opportunity for gardeners to sow a wide range of hardy annuals directly into the garden soil. This approach...
Tectona grandis, commonly known as teak, is a prized tropical hardwood tree belonging to the Lamiaceae, the family that surprisingly also contains, mint, thyme, and dead-nettles. Growing up to 40...
An appropriate piece of folklore for September, corn dollies, ancient symbols of harvest and fertility date back to 7th century Flanders where they were believed to house the spirit of...
Often unnoticed in gardens due to its clever use of camouflage, the Comma butterfly has become a familiar sight across England and Wales. When at rest, the Comma becomes almost...
Sunflowers are popular garden plants perhaps better known as annuals of exceptional stature. Helianthus x laetiflorus ‘Lemon Queen’, to give it its full name, is a hardy perennial and reaches a...
Not a tree but we couldn’t resist squeezing in a twining climber of truly arboreal proportions. Britains oldest wisteria located in the borough of Chiswick, West London, grows against a...
A stalwart of the Genus summer garden, Helenium are herbaceous perennial plants native to the Americas. They love a sunny spot and thrive in a wide range of soils, seeming...
Adrian Bloom has been gardening at the Bressingham gardens near Diss in Norfolk for over 50 years. Alan Bloom, his father (1906-2005), was the founder of Bloom’s Nurseries, and began...
Sempervivum, commonly known as houseleeks, have been a subject of fascination and superstition in English folklore for centuries. These hardy succulents, with their rosette-shaped clusters of fleshy leaves, have been...
Swifts (Apus apus) a Red-Listed species of ‘most concern and requiring urgent action’ are iconic summer visitors to the UK, arriving in May and departing by August. Their incredible migration...
Prune rambling roses Opinions vary on when rambling roses should be pruned. Some like to start pruning immediately after flowering, some will prune now, and others will wait until more...
Our local town of Cirencester in Gloucestershire was once the second largest Roman town in Britain after London - quite a record for what is now a relatively small market...
The Sussex trug, an emblem of British craftsmanship, is a perfect example of sustainable local production. Crafted from coppiced chestnut and willow offcuts from cricket bat manufacturing, these baskets make...
When you take a sip of your next pint, pause to appreciate the humble hop, a plant that gives your beer its distinctive bitterness and aroma. The hop (Humulus lupulus)...
Foxgloves have been associated with the folklore of the British Isles for centuries, the plant (Digitalis) having been known by many names. Tracing its roots back to Edward III (1327-1377),...
It’s always a joy to discover slow worms (Anguis fragilis) in the garden. These cold-blooded and legless lizards, distinct from snakes due to their notched tongue, and blinking eyes (snakes...
The much maligned sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) has never received much admiration since its introduction to England in the fifteenth century. Even before it became widely distributed, gardener, writer, and...
Rosie Hardy of Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants in Hampshire recently came to help out with a photoshoot at Genus HQ. She surprised us with a small plant as a gift. ...
Guy Grieve is an adventurer whose journey has led him into the world of horticulture via Alaska, the Caribbean and the Isle of Mull. His exploits are well documented in...
Clean greenhouse glass It’s a job often carried out over winter but greenhouses located around and near trees often become coated in a sticky sap excreted by aphids living on...
Snails aren’t eveyone's cup of tea when it comes to a creature to be welcomed into the garden, but their role in the environment shouldn’t be underestimated. As consumers of...
Gardeners are great optimists and will already be starting to think about next year. For us that means sowing biennial seeds to provide flowers for the spring and early summer. ...
Alan Down’s life in horticulture is not only an example of hard work and dedication but also one of pure passion. Currently President of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), Alan’s...
What traditional cottage border isn’t complete without the addition of towering delphiniums, their flowers a magnet for bees, insects, and humans alike. Their statuesque stems rise up in early summer...
We’ve always been fans of birch trees at Genus HQ and on moving here over a decade ago we immediately planted several, including the beautiful white stemmed Betula utilis var....
The black poplar, Populus nigra, has been an iconic tree in Britain's woodlands and wetland areas for centuries. Believed to be one of the few species native to the UK...
It might seem strange but the use of plants within the global fuel industry could become an important sector within horticulture. Bio-fuels, an alternative to the fossil fuel that we...
Much as I love gardening alone, there’s something particularly good for the soul about gardening with others. It’s great to be with like-minded people who share your horticultural passion. And...
Twenty years ago we would never have thought that otters (Lutra lutra) could be an occasional, if not common, visitor to gardens in the UK. Once on the decline due...
Mike Palmer has become a familiar face to keen gardeners in recent years. His live ‘Sunday Morning Stroll’, something he started on Instagram during lockdown, has garnered a loyal following...
Lawn care With soil temperatures now reliably into double figures, it's a good time to carry out any renovation work on your lawn. Rake out any moss and scatter fresh...
There surely can be nothing more impressive than seeing trees that are champions in their genus. Huge trees, tall trees, wide trees, or very, very old trees. Estimated at over...
The thorny shrub known as hawthorn is commonly spotted in hedgerows especially around May when its blossom fills the air with a pungent scent of galvanised rubber or spicy almond. ...
Next time you walk into a room at home consider the plants that have been utilised to give you the life you enjoy. Cotton curtains, cardboard packaging, and plant-based shampoos. ...
How did you get into horticulture? I’ve been gardening and cutting flowers since I was four, as both my parents and grandparents were keen gardeners. We had vegetables from our...
Whilst wearing gardening gloves protects your hands, in the right circumstances and for those who are generally healthy, it might be beneficial to get your hands dirty occasionally. Research into...
Resilience is a buzz word in garden design with designers looking to environments such as the coast, where plants are exposed to the extremes of weather, for planting inspiration. The...
Also known as pearl bush, this is an excellent shrub for an uplifting display of early blossom. In early April to May, this otherwise unassuming shrub is belle of the...
Growing plants from softwood cuttings is an excellent way of bulking up your garden cheaply and duplicating favourite plants in your own or a friend’s garden -a cutting also makes...
Dan Cooper and Julia Parker present this podcast for fellow gardeners where they share their wealth of experience of growing and their passion for plants and gardens. Dan is a...
Collecting rainwater has become a priority for gardeners looking for sustainable ways to grow. But while most water butts aren’t particularly attractive and tend to be hidden away behind a...
It’s at this time of year that our patios tend to look dirty and green from the inevitable moss, dirt and algae that builds up over the cold wet weather. ...
There’s something glorious about the sight of wisteria dripping with gorgeous purple or white perfumed flowers in late spring and early summer. They are stunning trained against a sunny wall...
Presenters Victoria Hillman and Neil Phillips explore the incredible plant and animal life we have in this country, from urban Bristol to the Outer-Hebrides. Each episode kicks off with the...
Winter is when edgeworthia suddenly shouts its presence to the world with a mass of fragrant golden flower clusters on bare branches. This is a stunning deciduous shrub with an...
How did you get into horticulture? I inherited a deep love of plants from my mum. Since I was little, we'd plod around the garden together - she'd point out...
Peach Fuzz has been named the Pantone colour of the year. It’s the prettiest of colours, soft and warm, sitting somewhere between apricot and pale pink that will add a...
One of the myriad benefits of gardening is that it may be particularly good for the memory. In fact, a Swedish study shows that daily gardening may lower the risk...
Tell us about your route into horticulture? I worked for the civil service before deciding I wanted to be a gardener. I helped tend the grounds of my parents’ hotels...
We all know regular exercise is important for physical and mental health, but if running around the park or going to an exercise class isn't for you, remember that gardening...
When designing gardens, it’s tempting to rip everything out and start again with a blank canvas, but as our interest in sustainability continues to grow, there’s been a move towards...
Daphnes are exquisite shrubs with clusters of beautifully-scented white or pink flowers, which, depending on the variety, flower in late winter, early spring through to summer. They have a bit...
Dogwoods (Cornus) with their wonderful red, orange or green stems are stunning in winter gardens, especially in the clear winter light or planted en masse or in groups of several...
Garden designer Pollyanna Wilkinson and interior designer Jojo Barr share their wealth of experience in this podcast, which is a great insight into the ‘ins and outs’ of design –...
If you’ve been looking to improve the design of your own or a client’s garden, or simply redesign the planting in a border, gardening website, Shoot, could help save time...
As the temperatures drop, we tend to want to stay warm and cosy indoors. But feeling a bit chilly can have potential well-being benefits, from easing anxiety to improving circulation...
Paths are one of the most important aspects of garden design, allowing you to access different parts of the garden throughout the year. They can take you directly to where...
Small shrubs with berries look great in window boxes at this time of year. Add some tall colourful stems for extra impact. Here are our suggestions: Skimmias are hardy and...
What was your route into horticulture? I was planning to study architecture, but halfway through A-levels, I realised that what I really wanted was to be a gardener - I...
Salads aren’t just for the summer. Winter root vegetable salad is comforting and tasty but is also packed with the fibre, vitamins, and nutrients your body needs in the colder...
Presented by American professor of horticulture Dr. Jared Barnes, this informative and interesting podcast gives listeners an insight into the US horticultural world. As a horticulture professor, there’s a serious...
As the light level drops, artificial lighting can be a good way of supplementing the amount of light plants get and can also be used to grow plants in darker...
As things slow down in the garden, why not take advantage of the lull and organise your shed ready for spring. Decluttering can make us feel liberated and more in...
With more unpredictable weather patterns, from downpours and cold snaps to extreme heat and drought, we’re seeing a trend towards tougher, more resilient planting that will cope with extreme weather. The...
Bulb planting season is upon us and a great way of getting a dense and successional display of colour in containers is by using the Dutch concept of a ‘bulb...
This dish turns earthy parsnips into something luxuriously creamy. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees C. Prepare six or so parsnips by top-and-tailing them and then slicing them lengthways or...
Tell us about your journey into horticulture? My grandad was a big gardener and got me interested in gardening from an early age. After leaving school at 16, I started...
In this weekly podcast Richard Suggett shares his experience of growing food on his allotment and home vegetable plot, with much more besides. In recent allotment updates, Richard’s been planting...
As the temperatures drop, tender plants such as citrus trees and bananas ideally need to be brought inside. But hardy outdoor plants may also need some protection from frosts, and...
Whether it’s sharing knowledge or produce, there’s something about gardening that brings out the generosity in people. And the good news is that this benefits the giver as much as...
Tell us about journey into horticulture? I developed a love of gardening from my grandma, who had a passion for houseplants and gardening, and I was never happier than when...
Large expanses of stone or porcelain paving or terracing have their place of course, but there’s a movement in garden design towards a softer combination of hard landscaping and planting. ...
This comforting one pot is amazingly tasty, considering how quick, easy and inexpensive it is – perfect for a warming mid-week meal when you’re too tired to make anything more...
In this fun and informal podcast, presenters Jez Rose and co-host Kathy Slack chat, mull and debate about gardening, nature and wildlife, often over a cup of tea or while...
The Gripple Plant Support System is a simple and strong system that creates highly tensioned wires to create a trellis on a fence or wall to support climbers like jasmine...
Designers are increasingly trying to create a sense of ‘immersion’ in a garden, where you feel completely secluded and enveloped in a space. This can increase the sense of it...
If your lawn has seen a lot of activity over the summer months, it may have become compacted and need aerating. This involves making holes in it to allow oxygen...
An informative and fun podcast with a varied mix of content from seasonal allotment advice and DIY projects to interviews and design advice. Passionate home gardener Claire Vennis is joined...
There is something very delicious about the combination of sweet earthy root vegetables with the creamy sauce and soft pasta - perfect comfort food as we move into autumn. Heat...
Tell us about journey into horticulture? I was virtually born on the potting bench, January baby and the Aster propagation started in February; from then my childhood revolved around the...
If you have a dingy lightwell or dark side return, using pots with a variety of shade-loving plants is perfect for adding a bit of fresh green and colour to...
This is a useful podcast for those interested in designing their own garden and are new to garden design. Presenter and designer Rachel McCartain discusses how her aim is to...
Containers need a lot more watering than planted borders and can be a problem if you go away a lot or are busy. Self-watering planters can be an excellent solution...
Green tomatoes aren’t as sweet as red tomatoes, but they are safe to eat both raw in salads or sandwiches or cooked in sauces. They have a tart taste and...
Growing trees in containers is a fantastic and impactful way of bringing height, blossom and autumn colour into spaces with no planting beds, such as patios. They can also help...
What was your journey into horticulture? After completing my degree, my first proper horticultural experience was gained working in the historic Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona, which convinced me...
Cottage gardens with their traditional mix of colourful flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs have a nostalgic, romantic appeal. This relaxed, wildlife-friendly style is having a resurgence of popularity, albeit with...
Colours and their effect on our mood is subjective of course, but greens and cool colours in planting are often associated with well-being and relaxation. Using reds, oranges and yellows,...
Designers are predicting a fashion for darker, plummy-coloured flowers and foliage with accents of brighter colours in planting design. This can add depth, drama and a touch of glamour to...
Holidays are supposed to be relaxing, so you don’t want to be worrying about how your garden will cope while you’re away. The most obvious solution is to enlist a...
High summer is when tall perennials and soft wafty grasses are really coming into their own. They add lovely texture, naturalism and movement to a container display – ideal if...
We visited this garden on a hot day last year and the mixture of woodland planting, dappled light, water and beautifully placed sculptures creates the most wonderfully soothing environment. The original...
If you’re bored of steaming your runner beans, why not try something a bit more exciting by making tasty samosas? Runners go well with Indian spices, and combined with fluffy...
Garden designer friends Jo Thompson and Nina Baxter talk about gardening and much more besides in this enjoyable podcast. In a recent episode they discuss this year’s Chelsea Flower Show...
Sails make a great alternative to umbrellas, creating a cool retreat in hotter weather without an intrusive pole. They also have a graceful, contemporary feel. Most will stand up well...
Q&A with Clive Nichols, garden photographer Tell us about your route into garden photography? After studying human geography at Reading University I got a job as a head chef of...
Encouraging your children to garden or simply relax and have fun in your outdoor space is excellent for their wellbeing. With one in eight young people suffering with a mental...
Plants usually described as weeds are having their moment. Show gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show were full of brambles, dandelions and thistles. Instead of complaining about them, horticultural experts...
If you’re thinking of greening up your terrace or balcony with beautiful planting, lightweight pots and compost will ease your mind by helping to combat challenges, such as weight restrictions....
Shredded courgettes work well in salads. And Asian salads with their spicy, tangy flavours and bright colours are fun and refreshing for the summer. If you can shred or spiralise...
In his new podcast, Ben Dark discusses plants, nature and gardening, either on walks in nature, in situ in gardens and sometimes talking to horticultural guests. Ben invites guests from...
A bubbling water feature glistening in the sun on a hot summer’s day adds a cooling and calming dimension to a garden. And with technological advancements, these can now be...
Tell us about your career journey so far I was a student at Kew from 1988-1991, then went on to be Head Gardener at Mount Usher Gardens (Ireland), Inverewe Gardens...
As well as drought, experts believe the changing climate is causing more periods of heavy rain, which can lead to flooding. But there are beautiful and sustainable ways to deal...
One of the big trends in garden design at the moment is about how we look after and adapt soil conditions to suit different plants, mimicking natural habits and using deep mulches...
This is a classic way of serving asparagus, and for good reason. The salty ham and rustic soft sweet asparagus are a match made in heaven. It can be served...
As well as clustering smaller pots, you might have the space such as a roof terrace or side return that merits a large trough or planter where you can indulge...
This podcast isn’t about gardening as much as an insight into the lives of interesting women of note from designers to chefs, and the impact gardening has had on them. ...
If you’ve ever fancied dragging your TV outdoors to watch a bit of sport or a film on a warm summer’s evening surrounding by the scents and sounds of nature,...
With temperatures rising, this is a good time for growing vegetables in containers. As well as being ideal for those with limited space, having an informal cluster of containers with...
As well as increasing kerb appeal and improving the environment, having an abundantly planted front garden has a range of health and well-being benefits, scientists believe. In fact, RHS research...
Tell us about what led you into horticulture and your career journey? I’m a career changer and spent years in an office wondering why I didn’t enjoy my job, despite...
A solid path, or stepping stones in gravel or grass, is making way for something more interesting - stepping stones created with gorgeous ground cover plants. This softens the look of a path...
Some horticultural stories are built over decades. Others begin with one bold decision, a leap into the unknown, and the determination to make something beautiful from bare ground. Jennifer Howarth...
Dead hedges have been around for some time but in the last decade or so have become a feature in many gardens, woodlands and nature reserves. It’s not so common...
The vine on the garage, originally planted as a crimson glory vine (Vitis cognetiae) has never given the stunning, bright scarlet leaves that are its primary feature - a mix...
I planted tulip bulbs this week. 260 of them not a huge amount, but enough to fill six troughs and a large, round, stone planter. With the threat of colder...
The garden medlars (Mespilus germanica) have reached a state of perfect decay this week. It’s not often that we look forward to rotting fruit but this one is improved vastly...
Wandering around the meadow this week I spotted a burdock leaf starkly etched with a maze of silver arteries, the giveaway signs of a leaf miner. These creatures, the larvae...
With summer planting in troughs and containers coming to an end I’m already looking forward to next year. This involves propagating plants that will be required in relatively large numbers...
The weather may have turned, our thick socks are on, and the waterproofs are constantly hanging up to dry, but it doesn’t mean that all signs of life have stopped...
It’s been confirmed. I’m having babies next year. Lots of them! While recently cutting back some untidy looking plants I came across seed heads of Silybum marianum, the milk thistle. ...
Anybody with a garden or access to the countryside can’t have missed the abundance of fruit on trees and shrubs this autumn. Blackberries, hawthorn, apples, sweet chestnuts, walnuts, and medlars...
We haven’t grown Black eyed Susan -Thunbergia alata - for a number of years but 2025 and its prolonged hot summer appeared to appeal to her adventurous nature. Planted in...
It was time to celebrate this week after noticing that our quince tree planted 5 years ago has finally produced its first fruit. Quince, known scientificically as Cydonia oblonga, are...
Carrying out some late summer pruning of the wisteria this week I came across several leaves with semi circular ‘bites’ removed by the Pac-man of the insect world. These were...
This year's exceptional weather has just been crowned as the hottest on record for the UK and, as gardeners, we’re all seeing the results of the prolonged hot spell. Brown...
For a plant with such tiny seeds it’s always a surprise when Amaranthus comes into flower with its bright tassels at head height. We love it and have decided to...
I’ve gone for decades without seeing the giant yew hedge in Cirencester, Gloucestershire being clipped, but this year and last year I spotted the operation underway as I wandered through...
I’ve been adding to our stock of plants over the last week not because of careful planning but due to an unfortunate incident. Several pots were blown over after a...
Buddleja globosa, sometimes called the orange-ball tree, is an underrated plant, perhaps because of its ubiquity and use in supermarket car parks and public planting schemes. But there's a reason...
We’ve written on several occasions about the joys of growing sweet peas, even mentioning and growing the wonderful Tutankhamun pea reportedly found by Howard Carter in Tutankhamun's tomb. We’ve never...
Malva moschata, the musk mallow, has been a favourite in my garden for a decade now. A native plant in the U.K. it has beautiful pink flowers that are held...
Dutch elm disease, sudden oak death, box moth, and horse chestnut leaf mining moth are issues that we’ve become familiar with in recent years. It seems another problem has recently...
It’s peak sea holly season at the moment. The particularly warm weather has brought them on a little earlier than normal but the display is probably the best we’ve seen...
Cephalaria gigantea, the giant scabious, has been in the garden for at least a decade now. Gently seeding around it has become a major feature of the mid-June garden. Often...
At last! Leaving a clump of nettles in the garden has always been recommended as a refuge and food source for insects and other invertebrates. Results aren’t always immediate, in...
As gardeners we’re always looking for that one special plant. Ideally a plant that is hardy, flowers for a long period, and is perennial, returning year after year to entertain...
Plants that were part of our education as we discovered the world of horticulture always hold a place in our hearts. I was reminded of this last Friday as I...
At a time of year when the country lanes and roadside verges are burgeoning with fecundity it's nice to bring a little bit of that same natural ambience into the...
Back in the spring a hedgerow just up the road from Genus HQ was attended to by a hedge-layer. Stems of blackthorn and hawthorn were partially severed allowing them to...
We all love a compost heap - recycling garden plants to reuse as mulch on the borders is always satisfying. But compost heaps have other benefits - they are a...
Violas are one of our favourite garden flowers at this time of the year. They’re affordable, readily available, and most importantly, great performers. Just a few placed in pots can...
With most of the garden pots and troughs at their peak we thought it wouldn’t hurt to start planning their next reincarnation. A friend kindly gave us a packet of...
We always demonstrate a degree of restraint and patience when it comes to sowing half hardy annual seeds in the spring. The resulting plants can’t be put outside until the...
Several years ago we planted a few hundred pea sized bulbs of Fritillaria meleagris into the meadow with the hope of adding some interest in the grass that had lost...
Question: When is blackthorn not blackthorn? Answer: When it’s cherry plum aka myrobalan plum and more formally known as Prunus cerrasifera (pictured). It’s a common theme at this time of...
Most of us with woodburners or an open fire will have a woodpile or log store located somewhere within the garden. A well organised stack of logs can be a...
With the beautiful weather we’ve been experiencing in recent days, it was too tempting to not take advantage of a few spare hours and have a leisurely wander around the...
It happened overnight. Or at least that what it felt like. We'd spent a day rearranging the spring pots - all had showed signs of life but flowers were conspicuous...
We spotted some interesting markings on a fallen branch this week. Anyone old enough to remember the 1960’s and early 70’s will also remember the English elm (Ulmus procera), a...
Although nearing completion, orchard work is still part of the weekly routine. This involves cutting out any diseased or dead branches and reducing the length of the upright annual growth...
It’s peak season for snowdrop spotting at the moment. Gardens big and small, from great estates to diminutive English cottages, are all opening up their gardens to keen gardeners and...
We were cutting back fern foliage in the woodland garden this week. Most were brown and collapsed on the ground but a few plants had retained their colour. It was...
A plant that offers such an enthusiastic display on a dank January morning can seem somewhat incongruous against a grey sky and driving sleet, but Clematis cirrhosa ‘Jingle Bells’ sallies...
We noticed an example of life in miniature this week as we cut back some storm damaged perennials in the flower border. With their minute green cotyledons stark against the...
The remains of the runner bean wigwam were looking rather forlorn this week with the skeleton of hazel sticks and string wrapped in its coat of desiccated bean stems. Several...
With guests due at Genus HQ last week we wanted to create a festive table setting from plants in the garden. We were surprised at the selection we were able...
With leaves blown from trees, flowers absent from most perennials and shrubs, and the sky often grey, winter can be a time when finding things of interest in the garden...
After our recent talk of mild weather and plants still in flower, temperatures around the country plummeted overnight killing off any borderline hardy perennials or ‘last-man-standing’ annuals. Away from the...
For the last few years we’ve been planting out our pelargoniums, commonly called geraniums, into several troughs around the garden. Being tender they need to come in over winter to...
The mild autumn has extended flowering in a lot of gardens this year and the garden at Genus HQ has been no exception. Nasturtium, Cosmos, snapdragons, roses, Hydrangea, Geranium, Dahlia,...
You may be on first names terms, after-all they’ve been good friends for six months or more, but there comes a time when you have to accept that your greenhouse...
We often refer to the dry stone walls that act as a boundary to the western edge of the Genus garden. These walls built without mortar throughout the Cotswolds are...
Our pond in the Genus garden comes alive every spring when our resident toads leave their winter quarters in the dry-stone walls and head for the water. Much merriment ensues,...
Our orchard has had an underwhelming year - cherries non-existent, plums, so-so, and apples patchy. ‘Beauty of Bath’, a pillar box red apple from the 1860’s bucked the trend as...
We were having a bit of a move-around this week. Digging up perennials, splitting them, replanting, and potting up any excess. Recent downpours will instantly date this blog but we...
When you’ve been gardening for several decades the ebb and flow of the seasons come as second nature. Snowdrops in winter, apple blossom in spring, dahlias in summer. Simple. So...
We suspect it’s a common experience amongst most gardeners. You go away for a summer break, two weeks if you’re lucky, and return to a garden that has outgrown its...
The dearth of insect life in 2024 hasn’t gone unreported and as gardeners, we’ve perhaps noticed more than ever the distinct lack of buzzing around our flower beds. A long...
When visiting a friend's garden in mid-summer, it's often a surprise to spot plants acting out of the ordinary. What’s usually brought to our attention is a spring flowering shrub...
This year we dedicated one of the vegetable beds to a selection of flowering annuals. About 5 metres long by less than 1 metre wide, we wanted to inject some...
‘It takes a skilled gardener to grow a decent cauliflower’. That's what we were told many years ago by a local expert- one of the old boys in the village...
It’s peak daylily season in the Genus garden at the moment. Daylilies (Hemerocallis), are reliable rhizomatous perennial plants that bulk up quickly providing newly planted borders with rapid cover. Hemerocallis is...
Our early January planting of white ‘Sturon’ and red ‘Retano’ onion sets was ready to be lifted this week. In the adjacent bed, our garlic was starting to show symptoms...
A tiny speck of red caught my eye as I wandered past the vegetable garden this week. A specimen of Anagallis arvensis - Scarlet Pimpernel - was growing amongst the...
We’ve written about our wall-trained Philadelphus before and it surprises us with its beauty every year. Several years ago and taking up too much space within the north-facing border we...
Many of us are proud of our gardens in June. Fresh and fecund with roses, early clematis, lupins and foxgloves - they're a sight to behold. Pinks, blues, purples and...
We were blessed with fantastic weather for our early summer photoshoot this week. With Gloucestershire head gardener Anton Blackie, ex Highrove gardener Nicola Hope MHort, nursery owner Rosie Hardy, and social...
Our woodland garden at Genus HQ is located around centuries old quarry workings. Spoil from the subterranean stone mine was piled up creating a 30 metre long mound nearly 3...
The recent hot weather drew our attention to the narrow border that butts up to the back of the cottage at Genus HQ. South facing, and with well drained soil it’s...
We might not be celebrating a birthday but the candles are out at Genus HQ . Our magnificent Horse Chestnut trees are in flower - it’s something we look forward...
A bout of seed sowing last month in the Genus greenhouse has started to pay dividends and despite the recent cold weather most of our seeds have germinated and put...
Cowslips! They started appearing in the orchard lawn at Genus HQ about five years ago and with judicious mowing have continued to thrive. What was once half a dozen plants...
Regular readers will have seen the sad news reported in our February blog where toads that make an annual pilgrimage from their winter quarters out of our dry stone walls,...
Half term duties and a family week away helped us miss the inclement weather that gardeners have been ‘enjoying’ recently in the UK. The much needed break (Lisbon, thank you...
With the predominance of narcissi and tulips in the garden at this time of year and the multitude of colours they bring, it's always a surprise for us when the...
Hidden behind our showroom at Genus HQ is our nuttery. Planted three years ago, the clumps of hazel (Corylus avellana) are maturing well with some of the shrubs (or are...
Every March we look forward to our toads returning to the pond where spotty necklaces of gelatinous morse code are intricately woven around the Elodea and emerging lily stems. A...
From skin care and sore throats to healing wounds and insect bites, witch hazels (Hamamelis) have been used for centuries as natural remedies or available as over the counter products...
Anyone who’s been following us on Instagram recently will know it's been a busy start to the year for Genus. This week the cameras came to the garden to catch...
Walk into the Genus garden at the moment and spots of gold will catch your eye in the subtle shade of our hazel and sycamore copse. Beautiful Eranthus hymalis have...
We all wait in anticipation for the first tulip, the first snowdrop or the first daffodil but many plants will already be flowering, advertising their presence with scent and colour. ...
As stocks in the Genus vegetable garden start to dwindle it’s encouraging to see 2024’s produce already underway starting us off on an encouraging footing for the new year. Onions,...
Happy new year and a wonderful start to 2024 for all our readers. For most of us the start of January has been decidedly and unforgettably wet with the conditions...
Strong winds in the week before Christmas blew through the garden like a roaring jet engine, littering the lawns with tree limbs and rotten branches, and creating a giant game...
Winter is a great time of year for us to tackle many of the climbing plants that clothe the walls of Genus HQ. It’s always a surprise how much growth...
Gardeners with smartphones will probably know that they entertain us with random photographs on the home screen every day - a picture more often than not we’ve totally forgotten taking. ...
With the first day of December just gone, it would be traditional to say “a pinch and punch, first day of the month” to any friend we might have encountered in...
Last week we talked about cutting back the borders and planting them up for a much needed injection of spring colour. Wallfowers, foxgloves, and tulips were planted and now mulching...
There’s much controversy these days about the merits of cutting back garden borders in the autumn. We do cut back and there's a number of reasons that we do it...
We don’t grow a lot of grasses in the Genus garden but those we have play an important role, acting as a foil for the Dahlias, Rudbeckias, and perennial sunflowers...
While storm Ciarán ploughed its way along the south coast wrecking homes and gardens, Genus HQ remained relatively unscathed, just catching the tail end of the spiralling pressure system. We...
With little prospect of our tomatoes ripening any further we decided to clear all the vines in the greenhouses and turn the fruits into chutney and sauces. Stripey ‘Tigerella’, good...
While most of the garden has been slowly winding down, other areas have been seeing some intriguing activity. Fungi! From puffballs in the meadow, to shaggy ink caps on the...
In recent years we’ve been quite organised with our late summer or autumn sown seeds. Biennials such as wallflowers are often sown as early as August, and our foxgloves too. Many...
Regular readers of this blog will know that we’ve become great fans of foxgloves. Easy to grow, happy in shade or sun, and flowering in early summer they’re a great...
With October fast approaching, early mornings in the Genus garden have been turning noticeably colder, the garden often shrouded in mist that has rolled in from the surrounding fields. Whatever...
We must have been late with the sowing of our Morning Glory seeds because they appear to be rather late developers and are only now coming into flower. They’ve used...
Cosmos are often recommended as the go-to annual flower for filling space and giving late season colour in the borders. Coming in a range of heights, colours, and with differing...
We love our orchard here at Genus HQ. With 21 trees it’s a great source of fruit. Apples, pear, cherries, and plums, all behave differently cropping variably from year to...
Despite the lack of sun and recent hints of autumn we manage to keep colour the top of our list when it comes to the late summer border at Genus HQ. Dahlias that...
With the skies now empty of swifts, their screaming mobs careering around the garden in the evening light now long gone, it seems autumn, if not already upon us, is...
Hidden beneath the surface of the Genus garden is a network of hoses that supply water to various parts of the garden. Stemming from a central station the flow is...
This week at Genus HQ, as the sun shone and the day grew warmer, we spotted some activity in the rockery on the western side of the cottage. Closer inspection...
A good year for aphids will probably be considered an oxymoron by some, but 2023 really has seen more than its fair share of these tiny insects. Weather conditions in...
We often get caught out with our onion and garlic by not getting them ordered and in the ground until well after Christmas. Last autumn was an exception and we managed...
The front of the cottage at Genus HQ faces north, looking across the orchard lawn and into the surrounding fields. There is a border adjoining the cottage on this side...
Drier, hotter weather has thankfully reduced the vigour of the lawns at Genus HQ. Less cutting means we’ve been able to attend to other jobs around the garden and with...
Foxgloves have been a real hit in the garden at Genus HQ this year. From time to time we’ve had the occasional self sown specimen that has popped up in...
Alliums are great additions to any garden. Taking up little space their tall slim stems can be squeezed in between most plants and their umbelliferous flower heads make a real...
Many gardens have key plants and top performers. Location, aspect, and soil type can dictate what grows best and sometimes it is only trial and error that will pin down the lead role for...
We’re very lucky to have three Aesculus trees in the Genus garden. One, Ausculus x carnea the red horse-chestnut is a hybrid between Aesculus hippocastanum and A. pavia and is...
We don’t need to tell you that last winter was tough on our garden plants. We’ve had colder winters. We’ve had wetter winters. But a combination of factors meant that...
Everything seems to be going on in the Genus garden this week. The lawns, bright green and lush, are growing at such a pace that if a weekly cut is missed...
There’s always a few loafers. You’ve seen them: the seeds found in your old gardening jacket, those at the bottom of the kitchen drawer, those free packets still stuck to...
We’ve experimented with various methods of planting broad beans over the years in our bid to achieve a successful crop. An early winter sowing is often very successful. Sown very...
Two years ago we planted several hundred Snakeshead fritillary bulbs in the Genus meadow. Unfortunately they’ve always proved to be a disappointment. With very few flowering we assumed that they...
We decided not to plant any tulips last autumn, waiting to see if any from previous years would put in a repeat performance. The thing about tulips is that some...
It feels as though the plants in the Genus garden are synchronised with the Greenwich Clock. No sooner had we adjusted our clocks for British Summer Time than the garden...
One of our annual jobs at Genus HQ is reining in the ever enthusiastic ivy that scrambles over the garage on the west side of the garden. We originally planted...
It's always cause for celebration. Last Wednesday we spotted half a dozen toads skulking around in the bottom of the pond; shifting plant life and occasional movement in the murky...
It might seem early in the year but this week we decided to plant out our potatoes and, upon checking our diary, we were surprised to see we had planted them on exactly the...
Several weeks ago regular readers will remember we removed our snow-battered and disfigured Lonicera hedge from outside the cottage front door. The resulting area, approximately 5 metres by 2 metres...
Since last summer we’ve been making a concerted effort to keep the climbers on the south wall of the cottage under control. A major trim and prune last year took...
Two years ago we planted several hundred crocus bulbs in the area of the Genus garden that we call Cherry Tree Corner. They’ve performed well and each plant has slowly...
We were in the removal business this week at Genus HQ. Not traipsing up and down stairs with wardrobes and mattresses, but out in the garden removing a large half...
Do you dig it? We didn’t consciously become ‘no diggers’ in the Genus vegetable garden, but it seems this practice has become extremely popular in the last decade or more...
A freezing cold day can restrict options in the garden due to frozen soil and grass prone to damage on finer lawns. After many years' living in a cold rural...
With the mild autumn weather persisting for quite a bit longer than previous years, we were finding that many of the trees and shrubs at Genus HQ were very slow...
Adjacent to the vegetable garden at genus HQ is our fruit cage. It’s of a good size, 5 metres by 4 metres with metal uprights supporting the black mesh. We...
The garden at Genus HQ has been somewhat neglected in recent weeks due to holidays or inclement conditions, but a day of better weather this week enabled us to get...
Every year we all have that annual problem. No, not vine weevil in our geums but the problem of Christmas tree disposal - what to do when the decorations are back...
With some unexpected guests here at Genus HQ over Christmas we had a busy time laughing, entertaining, playing games, and of course cooking. On the catering side we’re lucky that...
It’s not often that work in the Genus garden grinds to a halt but the recent cold snap and deep snow did just that. With a few mulching projects and...
We had several beautiful, bright cold days at Genus HQ last week. The sun shone through the eastern copse like torchlight, its beams accentuated by the rising early morning mist...
It's been dry enough recently for us to finish off tidying the borders in the flower garden and, with the remaining perennials cut back, we were able to see what...
Wet weather in recent days has slowed work down in the Genus garden, but in between the torrential downpours and scudding showers we have managed to make some progress. During the...
Yes. It’s still happening. Leaves are falling in a never ending stream, smothering the lawn, making paths slippy, and breaking down beautifully to turn the gravel driveway into an ideal...
We had a bit of a rude surprise this week when we realised that Genus HQ had been invaded by hundreds of uninvited miners. Not the miners who, in centuries...
In previous years we’ve sometimes been a bit late in planting out our garlic, the result being a large single bulb that hasn’t had time to form and give us...
It’s been happening since late August due to the hot summer but we can now confirm that our trees at Genus HQ are in full leaf-drop mode. With small copses...
A bit of excitement at Genus HQ this week as an old friend returned to greet us. Walking in the meadow we spotted a Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea) nestled in...
Occasionally, traditional garden work at Genus HQ has to stop and the garden is taken over for a shooting party; seasonal product shoots with photographers, stylists, and models to be...
Sweet potatoes, originally from South America, have been in cultivation for over 2,000 years. At Genus HQ they’ve been in cultivation for approximately six months but what an impression they've...
How have your apple trees been performing this year? At Genus HQ we seem to have experienced the whole spectrum of results from trees with virtually no fruit to trees...
With misty mornings and mellow fruitfulness pervading the garden, autumn has announced its arrival in the Cotswolds. The dank, almost imperceptible, smells of plant life slowly breaking down and silky...
If you’ve been reading this blog for some time you will know that every few years we have to split our clumps of Iris when they become congested. Flowering starts...
We felt as though the hand of Kenneth Grahame was at work this week at Genus HQ when the lawn was alive with tiny toadlets all migrating from the pond...
Wasps have had bad publicity over the years and with their appetite for our picnics and lovingly nurtured fruits they’re not the first visitor that we like to welcome into...
Over the years we’ve perfected the planting at Genus HQ to give us interest throughout most of the year. Mid to late August can be a tough time to keep...
Almost exactly a year ago we were celebrating the fact that our horse chestnut trees had avoided the attention of the leaf mining moth Cameraria ohridella; in August last year...
For a long time now we’ve been great fans of the black Tuscan kale Cavalo nero or nero di Toscana as it’s also known. With its dark glaucous leaves arching...
July can be a busy month in the garden and Genus HQ is no exception. With a week in London exhibiting at the Hampton Court Flower Show we were already...
Things have been reaching a bit of a peak in the Genus vegetable garden in recent weeks. Last month the strawberries cropped well and are now delivering the odd bonus...
Rozanne has started to be a problem recently. She’s a bit of a bully, is always after attention, and doesn’t let anyone else join in. Rozanne of coure is the...
A few years ago we started a small nuttery behind the showroom at Genus HQ. The trees we planted - a selection of hazelnuts and filberts - included ‘Corabel’, ‘Halls...
Our vegetable nursery bed is needed for other things so we decided to transplant our Musselburgh leeks into their permanent home. With the help of a hand fork we eased them...
Planted about five years ago, our hornbeam hedge that runs parallel with the farm track was looking decidedly straggly last week. Luckily growth on the northern side is far less...
We spent some time in the borders this week at Genus HQ removing old wallflower plants along with the spent stems of tulips that gave us such a good show...
Putting aside all the planning, head scratching, and procrastinating, it's the small unplanned surprises that often give us the most satisfaction. It’s interesting and remarkable how an unexpected event will...
Our orchard lawn at Genus HQ is a wonderful matrix of all sorts of grasses and wildflowers including clover, dandelion, speedwell, and cowslips. In contrast we like to keep the...
Our tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers that were moved into 2 litre pots just a few weeks ago have enjoyed the warm conditions that the greenhouse affords, putting on impressive growth...
Six or seven weeks ago we sowed our brassicas into a nursery bed - their temporary lodgings until they reached a suitable size for transplanting. Cavalo Nero, purple sprouting, Romanesco...
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...
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...
As winter draws to a close, my attention is focused on the swelling flower buds of the Viburnum x burkwoodii which is very deliberately positioned close to my kitchen door. ...
Two genera dominate our spring gardens and yet they are so different. Exploring these differences is a good way of understanding plants more generally. Most gardeners will tell you that...
I have just returned from an inspirational couple of days in Nottingham attending the Flowers from the Farm annual conference. I am not a flower farmer or floral artist but...
“What's that scent?, where's it coming from?”. This sensation is not what you expect on a cold winter's day, and not from a flower. There are a few very early...
At this time of year, structural planting will come into its own, as the last leaves fall and the frost nips the perennials we are left with the ‘bones ‘of...
Once upon a time, gardeners would cut all herbaceous growth back in autumn, often once things started to get just a bit 'untidy'. Winter would be a desolation of bare...
Autumn is the time of year when the garden takes on a mellow and relaxed mood but us gardeners are far from relaxed and already planning for the year ahead. ...
We all love a daisy! Something about that radiant sun-like shape. Echinaceas have been around a long time, but the revival of interest in perennials have really brought them to...
May is the time for the peak flowering of this vast and extraordinary genus. They are not universally popular however. Anyone who gardens on alkaline or even conventional 'good' garden...
April is the month to visit Wildside in Devon, well every month is worth a visit, but this month is extra special because of a certain plant. Wildside is located...
Somewhat, and surprisingly, rare as a British native, the Oxlip makes the most amazing early spring flower for gardens. Combining the upright form of the Cowslip with the subtle pale...
I would like to make the argument that front gardens are more important than back gardens and not just because they under the glare of every passing person! My reason...
Starting to flower at the end of winter, hellebores can continue to look good for months. These ones here, displayed in what I think is the best way to treat...
It has been called ‘Vita’s other garden’, in fact this garden was Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson’s first ever garden in the UK. As newlyweds they lived in Istanbul (then...
November used to be the nadir of the garden year, with nothing in flower, autumn colour fallen and all borders cut back and bare. No more! Ornamental grasses, discussed recently...
Few perennials are as useful as Rudbeckia fulgida. There are a seemingly endless number of yellow daisies for the last few months of the gardening year – nearly all North...
In my role as a garden designer and lecturer I have found that ornamental grasses can divide the room, people tend to love or loathe them. A shame when people...
“Life without phlox is not worth living” said the German gardener, nurseryman, plant breeder and writer, Karl Foerster. This year is the 150th anniversary of his birth, and has been marked...
June is the month of pink geraniums. In many British gardens at least. And that's 'geranium' in the sense of the hardy 'cranesbills', not the pot plants – a confusion...
This has to be one of Surrey’s best-kept secret gardens, where art and nature come together in perfect harmony. Celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year, created by Hannah Peschar and...
Daffodils are the quintessential spring flower. Unlike tulips, they are almost totally reliable in their ability to flower again, year after year, slowly building up their clumps. Older gardens...
At this time of year, we often have to carefully crawl through a border to appreciate those early risers - the spring bulbs. But what about growing them at eye...
Amongst really early garden flowers, Cyclamen coum are amongst the most rewarding. They do however require patience. Buy snowdrops and within a couple of years they'll look established and thoroughly...
Midwinter is undoubtedly the bleakest time of year, with several months ahead of us before the gentle warmth of spring encourages shoots to push their way through the soil. At...
In the gardening past it was normal practice to cut back seed heads and other dead herbaceous plant material in autumn leaving beds and borders of bare soil. We are...
