how to plant, grow & care for irises We plant lots of iris bulbs at Perch Hill to start off a long bulb flower succession. There are many different types, each with different care requirements (so do check the instructions for the one yo
how to plant, grow & care for kale Kale has become increasingly popular over the last few years, for its health-giving vitamins and antioxidants as well as its versatility in the kitchen when there is not much else growing in the garde
how to plant, grow & care for lilies Lilies are among the superstars of the summer garden. They are glamorous, often headily fragrant and quite heart-stoppingly beautiful. On summer evenings their scent can be ravishing and the paler-hue
how to plant, grow & care for pelargoniums Pelargoniums are low-maintenance, high-performing, good-looking tender perennials. A really beautiful, bushy pelargonium filling a handsome pot during the summer is a wonderful thing to see – and usef
how to plant, grow & care for peonies A classic country garden flower that also holds its own in a more formal setting, peonies have been bred and developed for thousands of years by the Chinese, Japanese and now the Americans. We stock b
how to plant, grow & care for geraniums Geraniums are the relatives of our native wildflower, the Cranesbill. They are totally hardy, unlike their frequent namesake the Pelargonium. They work as brilliant ground cover under shrubs and trees
how to plant, grow & care for zinnias Zinnias are fantastic for their daisy-like shapes in vibrant colours from summer all the way through to October or the first frost. They are as lovely in a vase as they are growing in the garden. Ther
how to plant, grow & care for wallflowers Wallflowers are one of my favourite flowers, ranging from the most wonderfully rich colours to smokey pastels, with swoon-worthy scent. They are best planted in blocks and drifts for maximum impact, r
how to plant, grow & care for tulips Spring would not be spring without fabulous, heart-lifting tulips. Tulips are my favourite spring bulb – I love their big statement colours, their interesting shapes and the life they bring to borders
how to plant, grow & care for tomatoes We grow loads of tomatoes at Perch Hill as they are so versatile in salads, pasta dishes and a whole host of Mediterranean recipes. They are also full of vitamins and minerals, making them superfoods
how to plant, grow & care for sweet peas We have teepees and arches covered with sweet peas in flower during June and July – they fill the garden, house and life with scent and colour. They are the stars of our summer season. The range of sw
how to plant, grow & care for sunflowers There are three reasons for growing sunflowers from seed – instant architecture, great pollen source for bees and butterflies (as well as seeds for birds) and glamorous cut flowers. For all roles, you
how to plant, grow & care for roses We have the most beautiful rose garden at Perch Hill, with more than sixty varieties ranging from climbers to hedge roses, huge species shrubs to heavily perfumed bush roses. They are show-stoppingly
how to plant, grow & care for cosmos Even if you only have a tiny garden – or just some pots – you have to grow at least one cosmos. They are the lowest maintenance, floweriest plants in the world. For me, cosmos is t
how to plant, grow & care for clematis Cascading down over arches, scrambling through trees or up a garden wall, climbers add another dimension to gardens. The breadth of choice is thrilling – with a bit of planning, you coul
how to plant, grow & care for potatoes Potatoes have been the staple vegetable in the UK for over a century, providing the energy, vitamins and butter absorbing abilities for almost every meal. Luckily they are also very easy to gr
