Plants with plum-coloured leaves may need more pampering but they’re worth it, says Monty Don

My purple patch! Plants with plum-coloured leaves may need more pampering but they’re worth it for the splash of colour they serve up, says Monty Don Monty Don says purple-leaved plants need more pampering than green-leaved British gardening expert claims purple-leaved plants add more depth to a border He reveals purple-leaved plants in his Jewel … Read more

John Cleese issues mock apology for Monty Python after white Simpsons actor Hank Azaria said sorry

John Cleese has apologised for making fun of ‘white English people’ in a mocking snipe at The Simpsons actor Hank Azaria. Mr Azaria, who is white but had played the Indian-American character Apu since 1989, was the subject of controversy in 2017 following the release of a documentary. He recently apologised to ‘every single Indian person’ … Read more

Follow Monty Don’s advice for a garden aglow with lime hues of euphorbias

Monty revisits one of his classic books, Gardening at Longmeadow, in an occasional series. Euphorbias have an astonishing green intensity that adds an electric charge to the garden as they emerge, energising everything – including me – around them. The first to come into flower at Longmeadow is Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae, which is in … Read more

MONTY DON: It’s time to wake up your dahlias from winter hibernation

Back in the 80s, and even the 90s, there were only a few dahlias that were at all acceptable to self-appointed arbiters of horticultural good taste, but thankfully we have moved beyond all that nonsense and I’d recommend that every garden should grow as many dahlias as they have room for. I certainly do. Dahlias … Read more

What’s Monty Don’s favourite flower? It’s the pretty perennial that celebrates the coming of spring

Monty revisits one of his classic books, Gardening at Longmeadow, in an occasional series.   British gardening expert Monty Don shares his advice for growing primrose. Pictured: Monty with his primroses People ask me often what my favourite flower is. The truth is that it depends on the season, the situation, on what I am doing – … Read more

Monty Don tells you how to grow your own parsley

Pass the parsley: There’s no question in Monty Don’s mind that parsley is his favourite herb – and here he tells you how to grow your own Monty Don says parsley is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and trace minerals British gardening expert explains parsley thrives in well-drained but fertile soil He also answers a selection … Read more

Growing bedding plants from scratch is worth the effort, says Monty Don

Monty revisits one of his classic books, Gardening at Longmeadow, in an occasional series.  Here’s why I like bedding plants – they’re cheerful and lift our spirits after a long winter; and they can be used in containers, hanging baskets, borders or as a display. Quite simply, bedding is beautiful and fun. Wherever you buy … Read more

Monty Don said we should let lawns grow wild. But here a horrified fellow TV gardener cuts him down 

Professor Stefan Buczacki , a former chairman of Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time What have you been up to for the past year? If you’re lucky enough to have a garden and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been out of doors whenever you can . . . weeding, planting, pruning and, above all, looking … Read more

Monty Don urges gardeners to stop mowing the lawn so often as it is ‘damaging’ to wildlife 

Monty Don urges gardeners to stop mowing the lawn so often as it is ‘damaging’ to wildlife Gardener Monty Don has said there are many benefits to keeping grass longer  The Daily Mail Weekend Magazine columnist said short grass is a male trait By leaving grass alone to grow, you encourage wildlife to enter your … Read more