Behind the garden gate

This time of year represents big business–and exhaustion–for the producers of festive fare, from crackers to hellebores to ham. Jane Wheatley visits six stalwarts who are flat out right now

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

FLOWERS are one of life’s joys – they make us happy whether they’re growing in a garden or given in a bouquet. However, at this time of year there aren’t many blooms to be found in our borders. Don’t

Step into a magical winter garden in the Weald of Kent, where cyclamens, hellebores and crocuses add splashes of pink and purple to the white carpet of snowdrops

Growing the Good Life is especially rewarding as we start to prepare for winter celebrations. Not only can we harvest food for the feast, but also berries, seedheads and foliage for festive decoration

Mahonia x media ‘Winter Sun’ Forgive me please because I have, in my youth, been a bit sneery about mahonias. I recognise that this was a mistake as they have an awful lot in their favour: colour at a