Discover the pleasure of hardy annuals

Select good garden ‘doers’ that bring interest to your plot for many months

Liz Zorab picks her favourite self-seeding and spreading plants for easier gardening

Look to the beautiful beds and borders of Hidcote Manor to discover how to prolong the season of interest, with this advice from National Trust head gardener Lottie Allen

Try our pick of the most beautiful plants you can buy now

Simple steps to keep your plot looking good

Make sure your borders look as colourful as possible by promptly deadheading this month to encourage more blooms. Annuals such as cosmos and pot marigolds can run out of steam this month if the flower