Gardens Illustrated Magazine

The garden is at that wonderful balance point: the first flush of spring is past; the intensity of summer is yet to come. The garden in May has a determination and energy all of its own. Vibrant, green foliage and blousy flowers have a fresh, restora

Eva photographs Alison Jenkins’ container planting ideas, page 48. “Alison’s eye for detail, her choice of plants and containers always impresses me. I’m sure readers will be equally inspired.” Marina recommends the best umbellifers, page 54. “Essen

James lives in the South of France where he runs Scape Design with his wife Helen, specialising in low-maintenance and dry gardens. He is a fervent advocate for creating sustainable landscapes. The winner of four Chelsea Gold medals, he was awarded B

Editor Lucy Bellamy Contributing editors James Basson, Fergus Garrett, Anna Pavord, Dan Pearson, Sarah Price Art director David Grenham Deputy editor Sorrel Everton Deputy art editor Niki Goss Production editor Juliet Giles Acting digital editor Dani

Lahan Garden Planter Bench, terracotta, £299, Made made..com Richmond bench, powder coated steel £190, Garden Trading 01993 845559, gardentrading.co.uk Southwold Garden Bench, 3 seater £ 495, Harrod Horticultural 0333 400 6400, harrodhorticultural.

If you haven’t done so already, sow pumpkins and courgettes before the middle of the month to give crops a chance of maturing before the end of the growing season. Peas, beans and sweetcorn should also be under way by now. This is also the time to s

Name Pie Corner. What Private garden designed to complement a modern classical house, with formal pool garden and woodland walk. Where Hertfordshire. Size Four acres. Soil Various. Climate Temperate. Hardiness zone USDA 8. To the north of the

Bella uses this lily to follow on from ‘Ballerina’ tulips, to provide a continuation of orange before the hotter colours of July get going. 1.2m. RHS H6† . Bella loves the pale-lavender flowers of this delicate geranium. It is tolerant of shade, flo

What The Apiaceae is a vast family of around 300 genera and 3,000 species of annuals, biennials, perennials plus a few shrubs and trees. They have huge commercial value as many are important edible crops but conversely they include some of the most p

Always bigger than you expect it to be, this grass needs space to spread and show itself off properly. It catches the light beautifully and is evergreen, too. 2.5m. AGM*. RHS H4† . An ever-reliable plant that will flower in sun or shade and which loo

Hailing from the magnesium-rich limestone of the Dolomites, the rhizomatous iris needs plenty of sunshine and free drainage. Though adaptable as garden plants, it is worth giving them a position in full sun where they will not be overshadowed. They p

The National Trust Collection, The Scotney, H3m x W2.6m x D4m, from £15,950, Alitex, 01730 826900, alitex.co.uk Palram Victory Orangery, H2.6m x W3.64m x D3m, £1,599.99, Wayfair, 0800 169 0423, wayfair.co.uk Croft Greenhouse, available in three siz

Quadrille Publishing, £7.99 ISBN 978-1787136243 Fans of Davies’ earlier book Be More Bee will love her celebration of trees, and how humans can benefit from quite literally branching out. Yellow Pear Press, £16.95 ISBN 978-1642504965 Full of fun a

DK, £27 ISBN 978-0241424308 Down-to-earth wisdom from Monty Don, earned over a lifetime; you’ll struggle to find such pertinent advice in many other practical gardening books. Reviewer Jodie Jones is a freelance garden writer. Viewers of Gardene

Irises make a colourful addition to the garden. The rhizomatous irises are divided into bearded (such as those in our Cedric Morris feature – page 74) and non-bearded forms, such as the elegant Siberian iris with tall, flowering stems and narrow, arc

Perched on the tip of North Africa and overlooking southern Spain, Tangier has always attracted a certain kind of adventurer. As the city changes, and subversive behaviour is overtaken by a passion for decorating, Tangerines old and new are creating