KNOW IT, GROW IT

Discover the science, beauty, and practical care of plants with expert guides in botany, horticulture, and gardening.

Sarah Raven secures the future of SarahRaven.com

Local Gardener - 14th July 2025 0

The premium gardening and lifestyle retail brand, Sarah Raven, has been acquired by its original founder and creative director, Sarah Raven. Founded in 2008, SarahRaven.com...

BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair makes August return to Audley End House and Gardens

14th July 2025

Malvern Autumn Show 2025 announces special guest line up featuring top names from horticulture and super star bakers!

9th July 2025

Record show gardens and 90,000 visitors at BBC Gardeners’ World Live

9th July 2025

Sprayed Before You Eat It: The UK’s Hidden Use of Glyphosate on Food Crops

1st July 2025

Flowering Now

Growing Tithonias in the UK

Tithonias, commonly known as Mexican sunflowers, are a vibrant addition to UK gardens. With their fiery orange-red blooms and striking stature, these tender annuals...

Growing Alstroemeria in the UK

Alstroemeria, commonly known as the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, is a versatile and long-lasting perennial that has become a favourite in...

What type of Tithonia is best for the UK?

Tithonias (Tithonia rotundifolia and Tithonia diversifolia), commonly known as Mexican Sunflowers, are stunning, fast-growing plants that bring a tropical feel to UK gardens. Here...

Kniphofia Grow Guide

Kniphofia Grow Guide Kniphofia, commonly known as Red Hot Poker, is a striking perennial known for its tall, torch-like flower spikes in shades of red,...

Magnolia Grow Guide

Magnolia Grow Guide Magnolias are iconic flowering trees and shrubs known for their large, showy blooms and often fragrant flowers. They thrive in a variety...

How to Grow Agapanthus in the UK

Agapanthus, also known as African lily, is a striking plant renowned for its clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers held on tall stems. These elegant blooms,...

How to Grow Heather in the UK

Heather (Calluna, Erica, and Daboecia species) is a low-maintenance, hardy plant that adds colour and texture to UK gardens year-round. With its vibrant flowers...

Growing Periwinkle in the UK

INVASIVE

Periwinkle (genus Vinca) is a hardy and versatile plant, valued for its evergreen foliage, charming flowers, and low-maintenance nature. Whether you're looking to cover...

A Month-by-Month Guide to Growing Orchids in the UK

Orchids are mesmerizing plants, and with proper care, they can thrive and flower even in the UK. Whether you're growing tropical species indoors or...

How to Grow Perennial Geraniums: Planting, Care, and Top Varieties

Perennial geraniums, or true geraniums (Geranium spp.), are hardy, long-lasting plants that bring color, structure, and texture to any garden. Known for their low-growing...

Gardening Questions

What type of Tithonia is best for the UK?

Local Gardener -

Tithonias (Tithonia rotundifolia and Tithonia diversifolia), commonly known as...

How to Stop Invasive Bamboo from Spreading and Remove It for Good

Local Gardener -

Bamboo can be an attractive addition to a garden,...

What is Soldier Frass?

Local Gardener -

What is Soldier Frass? Soldier frass compost is an...

Filling a Plant Pot : Grit, Crocks, Perlite, or Something Else?

Local Gardener -

Filling a plant pot correctly is key to keeping...

Rain vs. Tap Water: Which is Best for Watering Plants and Seedlings?

Local Gardener -

Watering is one of the most important aspects of...

What’s The Difference Between Apples and Crab Apples

Local Gardener -

When strolling through a garden or countryside, you may...

Fruit or Berry, Do you Know The Difference?

Local Gardener -

Fruit or Berry, and the Surprising World of Legumes Today,...

Is your bee hotel killing solitary bees?

Local Gardener -

Solitary Bees: Champions of Pollination and Why Bee Hotels...

Is your Leylandii going brown?

Local Gardener -

Leylandii going brown is usually a sign of stress...

What Are The Best Plants for The Bedroom?

Local Gardener -

Adding plants to your bedroom can improve air quality,...

Your Garden

png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAArgAAAGBAQMAAAC3k1CUAAAAA1BMVEWurq51dlI4AAAAAXRSTlMmkutdmwAAADdJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwiD7p7bETmAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDuhFgAARFpDB8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=

How to Improve Clay Soil: Turning Heavy Ground into a Productive Garden

Garden Local Gardener - 4th July 2025 0

png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAANoAAACWAQMAAACCSQSPAAAAA1BMVEWurq51dlI4AAAAAXRSTlMmkutdmwAAABpJREFUWMPtwQENAAAAwiD7p7bHBwwAAAAg7RD+AAGXD7BoAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC

Disappearing songbirds. The UK’s silent crisis

NEWS Local Gardener - 22nd May 2025 0

Once the familiar soundtrack to every morning stroll or afternoon in the garden, the cheerful chorus of the UK’s songbirds is growing quieter. Since...

Cobra RM514SPC Lawn Mower

Garden Local Gardener - 20th March 2025 0

Cobra RM514SPC Lawn Mower – History, Specifications & Review The Cobra RM514SPC is a powerful self-propelled rear roller mower, designed to create a professional striped...

Protecting Fruit Bushes with Netting

Garden Local Gardener - 5th March 2025 0

Growing fruit bushes like currants, gooseberries, raspberries, and blueberries can be incredibly rewarding, but without proper protection, birds and other wildlife can quickly strip...

Starting Tomatoes, Peppers, and Cucumbers Indoors

Garden Local Gardener - 5th March 2025 0

March is the perfect time to start tender crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers indoors, giving them a head start before transplanting them outside...

Understanding Horticulture

The History of Garden Mazes and Labyrinths – And How to Create One in Your Own Garden

Local Gardener -

Garden mazes and labyrinths have a long and fascinating...

Aphids—tiny but mighty

Local Gardener -

🌿 Amazing Aphid Facts You Might Not Know! 🐜✨ Aphids—tiny...

Winter Grafting: A Traditional Gardener’s Guide

Local Gardener -

Grafting is an ancient horticultural technique that allows gardeners...

Improving Drainage in Clay Soil: What Really Works?

Local Gardener -

Clay soil can be both a blessing and a...

Why Do Peppers Feel Hot? The Science Behind Chilli Heat

The Tomato Scandal: How a Beloved Fruit Was Once Feared as Poison

The Future of Fruit: What Could Replace the Banana?

Apples have more genes than humans!

Understanding F1 Hybrids in Gardening

Marianne North : The Painter and Plant Collector

The Legacy of David Douglas: A Pioneer in Plant Hunting

Earth’s Oldest Forest : The Gilboa Forest

Welwitschia mirabilis – The Immortal Desert Wonder

Rafflesia arnoldii – The Stinking Giant

The Carboniferous Period: A Golden Age for Plants

The Age of Plants – The Devonian Period

Plants That Listen: How Plants Detect and Respond to Sound

The Surprising Truth Behind the Smell of Freshly Cut Grass

Pests & Diseases

Black Spot (Plant Disease: Caused by Diplocarpon rosae) Classification: Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Ascomycota Class: Leotiomycetes Order: Helotiales Family: Dermateaceae Genus: Diplocarpon Species: Diplocarpon rosae Description: Black spot is a fungal disease that primarily affects...