Every week, Amateur Gardening is the first choice for both beginners and knowledgeable gardeners looking for advice and easy-to-follow practical features on growing flowers, trees, shrubs as well as fruit and vegetables. Be inspired, by our beautifully illustrated features covering plant and flower groups, both home grown and exotic, and take a sneak peek into some of the most beautiful private gardens around the country. Plus, every week we feature expert opinion and tips from some of gardening’s most influential exponents including Toby Buckland, Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank, Peter Seabrook and Jo Whittingham.
Editor’s Letter
Keeping containers going • Prep pots and baskets for a late summer flourish, says Ruth
Something old, something new • Save money by refurbishing existing patio containers
Quick tips
We all love making compost! • Almost half of British gardeners have a heap
Trust launches plant census
It’s a hot time undercover • Ruth tends greenhouse plants as summer advances
A-scything we will go! • Caring for wildflower and ‘normal’ lawns, with Ruth
Little Pixie packs a big punch • These magical lupins brighten border edges, says Ruth
What’s On
The need to feed • There’s plenty of life left in several crops, so make the most of them and give veg a helping hand, says Bob
Great shapes • Val looks at how different flower shapes attract insects
Focus on… Growing figs • With plenty of sunshine and a south-facing wall or some generous containers, you too can be gorging on sweet figgy yumminess well into the autumn months, says Lucy
Three fruit trees for less than £25!
Phlox favourites • For mounds of scented flowers that will brighten up your borders, choose phlox, says Graham Rice, as he reveals some of the best varieties and how to care for them
Frequently asked questions
Pull in the pollinators! • If you want a plant that is great for bees and butterflies, with colour and scent from summer to early autumn, agastache or giant hyssop is the answer, says Hazel Sillver
Frequently asked questions
This week… Spiraea • With colourful foliage and attractive flowers, spiraeas are a great go-to shrub
Frequently asked questions
Ask JOHN NEGUS • John will reply personally to all your gardening questions
Quick questions & answers
Whiter than white • White flowers give gardens character, says Nancy-Mary Goodall
Considering crocosmias • We look at a brightly coloured perennial with sword-shaped leaves
AG’s Garden Wall
Word search
Crossword …just for fun!
Get 6 issues for £6*
Lawn-edging tools • Steve and Val test six examples to find the best
Ask ANNE SWITHINBANK • Masterclass on: how to handle suckers
Your LETTERS TO WENDY
Amateur Gardening
Size matters • Grappling with a large wisteria allows Toby to consider the importance of starting small for success with climbers
Planting mature trees and shrubs