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 Letter
Saving a collapsed clematis • These popular plants have specific needs, said Ruth
The best way to plant clematis • The roots like shade but the top growth needs sun
Pests get the expert boot! • Weakened plants need help against seasonal problems
Looking after tender trees • It’s time to protect citruses and other exotics, says Ruth
More perennial prepping • It’s also the last chance to plant new additions, says Ruth
Pruning season is underway • It’s time to get your loppers and secateurs out, says Ruth
Going under cover • Bob extols the virtues of having a greenhouse, where gardening can carry on in winter whatever the weather
The wonders of woodlands • Val looks at how Britain’s woodlands support wildlife
Focus on…Greenhouses • Lucy shows you how to keep plants insulated
Best value plants • Make the best use of space by choosing hard-working plants that earn their keep with long flowering seasons or further displays of fruits or tints, says Anne Swithinbank
Coming up roses • Now’s the time to plant bare-root roses, and you can take your pick from an array of shrub roses that will bring long-lasting interest to your borders, says Sue Bradley
This week… Cotoneaster • Robust and adaptable, cotoneasters thrive in many soils and situations
Ask JOHN NEGUS • John will reply personally to all your gardening questions
The perfumed garden • Christopher Lloyd noses out flowers that can still thrill us with their distinctive perfumes
African violets • We look at a popular inexpensive houseplant
AG’s Garden Wall
Word search
Crossword • …just for fun!
TRAVEL OFFERS
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Wild-bird feeders • Steve and Val Bradley test six bird feeders to find the best for your garden
Ask ANNE SWITHINBANK • Masterclass on: Moving ferns to a better site
Bonsai bonanza • Write to us: Letters, Amateur Gardening magazine, Future Publishing Limited, Unit 415, Winnersh Triangle, Eskdale Road, Winnersh, RG41 5TP (please include your address). Email us: amateurgardening@futurenet.com
Amateur Gardening
Get ahead for the holidays • You can start collecting colourful sprigs and fluffy seedheads now for your Christmas wreath, says Toby