The country’s Cape Floral Kingdom has incredible bloom diversity with around 9,000 species – and some make spectacular plants for our British gardens

As the long nights shorten, Mounton House garden quietly emerges from winter with delicate sprinklings of white narcissi, Scilla siberica and crocuses through the lawns. Daphnes fill the air with frag

Dahlias are gorgeous. They’re easy to care for, which is a bonus when you’re a grower, and florists absolutely adore them as a focal flower. Their vase life is about five days and, once cut, they don’

Scrambling over supports and into trees, these plants are a true delight of the season, says Sue Fisher

I absolutely adore smaller gladioli like Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus. It can naturalise, which is a really positive thing for the garden. For anyone who’s terrified of having pink in their ga

A springtime picnic can simply consist of a green salad, an asparagus quiche, and a sweet lemon drizzle cake to finish. Be sure to pack cutlery, a picnic rug and plenty of cushions to make relaxing am