Latest articles by Thomas Rutter
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Is it necessary to deadhead lilac flowers? Here's what I've learned after a decade working as a professional gardenerDeadheading spent lilac blooms can help to improve the appearance of your plants, but it won't encourage any more blooms
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Best climbers to attract hummingbirds – 5 nectar-rich vines with vibrant, colorful flowers to fill pots and bordersHummingbirds, butterflies and bees will not be able to stay away from these easy-to-grow flowering climbers
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5 plants with thorns and spines to avoid in family gardens – plus the safer alternatives to grow insteadWhile these plants are good for intruder-proofing your yard, they might not be ideal in homes with young children or pets
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This common vegetable is the best natural defence against slugs and snails – and you probably already have one in your fridgeHere's how to pest-proof your flower beds and veg garden this year
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Native alternatives to invasive wisteria – 5 North American climbing plants with spectacular foliage and flowers to grow insteadThese native vines will fill garden walls, fences and pergolas with greenery
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How to grow passion flowers in pots – the ultimate flowering vine that will transform any garden, whatever the sizeLearning how to grow passion flowers in pots is a great option for gardeners with compact yards
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How to fertilize star jasmine – experts reveal the secrets for healthy climbing plants with masses of scented bloomsFeeding your vines at the right time can give them a boost during the growing season
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How to grow wild geranium – for a hardy flowering perennial that will thrive in shady gardensThis tough perennial is a good option for adding color to darker borders
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The greenhouse that is on this professional gardener's wishlist is currently on sale – it will supercharge your summer veg harvestGreenhouses are a sensible investment for gardeners looking to grow their own tomatoes and chillies this year
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5 plants that are illegal to grow in California – how to control these invasive species in your yard, plus the native alternatives to use insteadThese troublesome, invasive species will outcompete native plants and you could face a fine for growing them
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How to grow lady's mantle – for a shade-tolerant ground cover plant that will thrive in challenging bordersWith lush green foliage and luminous lime flowers, lady's mantle can add color and impact
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How to grow Virginia creeper – it may divide opinion, but this fast-growing, shade-tolerant vine will cover walls and fences in record timeIf you are looking for spectacular fall color, Virginia creeper is the climbing plant to grow
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How to grow tree peonies in pots – for a show-stopping shrub that will thrive in partially shaded yardsWith large, saucer-like blooms, tree peonies are the ultimate flowering shrub
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This $20 pop-up greenhouse from ALDI is perfect for small yards – it will turbocharge your tomato harvests this summerEasy to use and compact to store, pop-up greenhouses are ideal for patio or balcony gardeners
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How to weed a garden quickly – professional gardeners reveal the five-minute weeding jobs to do now and get your yard summer-readyShort on time? These time-efficient tasks will keep on top of problem plants
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Can you revive woody rosemary plants? Expert pruning advice from a professional gardener to save old, leggy herbsWith the right pruning approach, old and woody rosemary plants can be brought back to life
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Small yard but want to grow your own crops? This wooden cold frame is 40% off at Wayfair – and it's perfect for tiny patios and apartmentsCold frames are a sensible investment for any gardeners struggling for space on balconies, backyards or patios
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5 fast-growing tiny flowers – expert recommendations to fill your pots and borders with color in record timeThese fast-growing tiny flowers prove that miniature can also be marvelous
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How to grow sassafras – for a low-maintenance native tree that can even be planted in shady yardsFor an easy-to-grow North American tree, you will not find much better than sassafras
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How to grow crepe myrtle in pots – and transform even the smallest of yards with dazzling flowers this summerGrowing crepe myrtles in pots will inject splashes of brilliant color into your outside space
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Is the viral salt hack the secret to a weed-free patio? A garden expert warns of irreparable, long-term damage – plus reveals the safest way to get resultsYou might have seen gardeners on TikTok or Instagram using salt to kill weeds in pavers, but this hack should be avoided at all costs
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Worst-smelling plants to avoid – experts reveal 5 pungent species and suggest perfumed options to grow insteadThese are some of the worst-smelling plants that can cause quite a stink
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How to fertilize magnolias – garden experts reveal the secrets to better blooming, and timing is criticalMagnolias are famed for their spring flowers, and feeding at the right time can give trees a boost
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How to revive old rhododendron plants – pruning advice from a professional gardener to save your struggling shrubsWith the right pruning approach, you can rejuvenate old and woody rhododendrons
