The countryside in... june

With returning swifts screaming across the rooftop and golden buttercup pollen gilding his Wellingtons as he strides across the cow meadow, John Lewis-Stempel marvels at the many pleasures of May

I t’s the summer solstice, and the mountains ...

Fragrant and frothy, elder blossom is a highlight of May and June. The flat-topped flowerheads turn together to track the sun each day and attract a host of invertebrates, especially hoverflies and ti

Once lost in a tangled wilderness, a Kent garden has been lovingly revived, in harmony with its ancient chalk land roots

Centaurea cyanus ‘Polka Dot Mixed’ Picture yourselves at about the age of eight. It is your birthday and a party is planned. The morning has been fraught: as with all birthdays the excitement begins e

Kari-Astri Davies visits an influential garden and sings the praises of a colourful border stalwart