Garry's Good Gardening Guide

04/10/2026

Cleome hassleriana ‘Rose Queen’. This is a half hardy annual capable of flowering for months. Flowering will end when the first frosts come. However if you have a few of these in your garden they will produce many seeds that will disperse. Some will overwinter and grow next year. In fact stratifying seeds in the fridge before sowing in spring is how we get the best germination. This one grew from last year’s seed.

31/08/2026

Autumn now, and time for the ivy-leaved cyclamen to flower (the gorgeous, marbelled foliage follows after flowering has finished). A plant which thrives in some shade and in organically rich soil (that means occasional mulching or simply leave plant litter in situ). Just plant it and leave it. As every year goes by the clump slowly grows.

31/08/2026

I bought a couple of gorgeous perennials from Beth Chatto’s wonderful nursery. The care with which they are grown is quite exceptional. The roots needed teasing open to stop them thinking they were still growing in a pot but they were excellent little plants.

21/08/2026

Really looking forward to going to the Beth Chatto Symposium next. I’m certain to learn a great deal from the event.

28/07/2026

In the face of drought, Lavender hybrids (Lavandula x intermedia) are on my list of most resilient plants. Correct Autumn and Spring pruning keeps them in great shape, year after year.

10/06/2026

There is a lot going on at Avebury and so much more to follow.

14/05/2026

01/05/2026

‘Green’ flowering stems will continue to photosynthesise, including tulips. It’s good to leave them on for as long as possible.

20/04/2026

Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive) emitting an intense and wonderful scent for the next few weeks at Avebury.

20/04/2026

Lunaria annua (Honesty) looking stunning in the Monks’ Garden, Avebury. Did you know they are part of the cabbage family? 🙂