Swerve the big-name gardens and put these dynamic alternatives on your must-visit list this year. Chosen by our garden writer Camilla Phelps, they offer plenty of fresh inspiration to bring back to your own plot

Giant leeks and pumpkins the size of a small car can give impression that there is something slightly comical about competitive fruit and vegetable growing. But those who take part in this cherished B

COLOUR IN THE GARDEN : STYLISH IDEAS FOR YEAR-ROUND COLOUR by Lucy Bellamy Mitchell Beazley, £25 ISBN 978-1784729349 ‘I am hungry for colour. I want jam red and acid yellow, violet blue and caterpilla

A bit of a mess

For more than a decade, Simon Richards has nurtured his Kent garden into an inspiring example of what resilience, creativity and patience can achieve. When he moved into his detached house 13 years ag

A change is as good as a rest, so the saying goes. As well as a relaxing break, travelling to a new destination can spark creativity, and if your holiday takes in a lovely garden or a beautiful landsc