The English Garden

Enjoy over 60 beautiful gardens a year with The English Garden. Every issue features country, city, cottage and coastal gardens, with advice on how to recreate them. Be inspired by articles written by the country's top garden designers and discover the best plant varieties for your garden, chosen by expert nurserymen and plantspeople.

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From the Editor

The English Garden

This Month • Our guide to plants, people, gardens and events, tasks and shopping in May

People to Meet • Introducing the gardeners and public figures we most admire in British horticulture

Out & About • Unmissable events, news and the very best gardens to visit this month

Things to Do • The warmer May temperatures find Jane Moore starting to harden off her tender and half-hardy cuttings, while pruning penstemons and hydrangeas

Beautiful & Useful • New plants, books, tools and creative designs, plus shopping inspiration

Dress to Impress

Lessons in LOVE • The mantle of responsibility for the romantic gardens at Mapperton, in Dorset, has been passed to Julie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich, who vows to maintain their special character, building on what’s already there and learning as she goes

Keeping it NATURAL • The gardens at Dalemain House were shaped by generations of inspirational female gardeners. Now the current owners are building on their work, ensuring the planting and design continue to reflect the beauty of the natural world

Midsummer MAGIC • There is so much rich planting and glorious colour to explore in the garden at Midsummer House in Oxfordshire, which was created by Penny Spink and her late husband Anthony, with the help of a host of enthusiastic family, friends and neighbours

Happy HUNTING • The eclectic, colourful planting schemes at Hunting Brook are the work of passionate plantsman Jimi Blake, who has gathered plants and seeds from around the world to create these inspirational gardens in County Wicklow

In Full FLOW • In the capable hands of Sophie and Daniel Busk, the magnificent heritage orchards, walled garden and rose arbour at Houghton Lodge, beside the River Test in Hampshire, are being given a new lease of life

An Artist’s GARDEN • ‘Glasgow Boy’ Edward Hornel added a painter’s touch to the gardens at Broughton House in Kirkcudbright, along with his sister Elizabeth. Even today, it’s clear to see how their love of art and travel influenced their planting

Chelsea PREVIEW • The RHS Chelsea Flower Show returns on 19 to 23 May. We highlight the designers to watch and the beautiful gardens, plants and products to keep an eye out for at the world-famous show.

Sweet as Honey • The Lonicera genus is valued for its flowers, foliage and berries. Mike Palmer explores the diversity of honeysuckles – from cottage-garden climbers to fragrant, flowering shrubs

Mind the Gaps • Having overseen the successful restoration of the Rock Garden at Newby Hall, head gardener Lawrence Wright suggests ten plants perfect for crevices

GOOD to GROW • Follow our new grow-your-own series all through the year from the walled kitchen garden at Gravetye Manor in West Sussex, where head gardener Tom Coward and his team produce abundant edible crops

PURPLE PROSE • Since it appeared as a seedling in the garden of Donald Waterer, 37 years ago, Geranium ‘Rozanne’ has hit heights of fame achieved by few plants. Adrian Bloom remembers its introduction and celebrates its success

GROUP THERAPY • Container expert and former gardener at Whichford Pottery, Harriet Rycroft reveals why it’s a case of ‘the more the merrier’ when it comes to summer pots

Outdoor LIVING • Dining sets to suit all garden styles and budgets, plus sofas, loungers and recliners, will help you make...