Thomas Rutter
Thomas is a Content Editor within the Gardens Team at Homes and Gardens. He has been working as a gardener and garden writer for several years. Whilst completing his Horticultural Traineeship at the Garden Museum, London, he was able to gain experience at many of the UK's world famous gardens, including Sissinghurst, Lowther Castle and Iford Manor. Following this, he worked for two private estates in Tuscany, Italy. During this time, he developed expertise regarding practical gardening and growing in dry and hot climates. He has managed kitchen gardens and cut flower gardens.
When not gardening, Thomas writes on gardens and garden history. His work ranges from 'how to' guides, book reviews, and longer form copy on the history of gardening and garden design. He has written for a variety of publications in the UK, including The English Garden, Gardens Illustrated, Hortus, The London Gardener and Bloom. He has co-authored a Lonely Planet travel book, The Tree Atlas, due out in 2024.
Latest articles by Thomas Rutter
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7 vegetables to plant in June – with expert advice on how and when to sow seed
Our June guide will help you maximize growing in the vegetable garden, and reward you with a bumper harvest
By Thomas Rutter Published
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What are cut-and-come-again flowers? Advice from a professional gardener on repeat-flowering plants
Planting snapdragons and other cut-and-come-again flowers will help you achieve a low-maintenance and cost-effective flower garden
By Thomas Rutter Published
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I'm a professional gardener, and these are the bright and brilliant zinnia varieties that you should grow this year
I have grown zinnias in many gardens, and while there are many different varieties to choose from, these 3 options pack a floral punch
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Don't be tempted to divide these plants – you might risk losing them from the garden altogether
Some perennials and shrubs are best left alone and prefer not to be disturbed, so propagating by division is not recommended
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How to water roses the right way – and the watering mistakes to avoid that can damage your plants
Professional gardeners reveal the best approach to watering roses to ensure that your prized plants thrive
By Thomas Rutter Published
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What to do with foxgloves after they finish flowering – advice from a professional gardener
With the right care, you can keep your foxgloves flowering for longer and ensure that foxgloves fill your borders next year
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How to grow a tree peony – the flowering shrub with large, dramatic blooms
Peonies are popular plants that are celebrated for their flowers, but have you considered adding the unusual tree peony to your collection?
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How to grow lily of the valley – for a vigorous part-shade perennial
Discover how to grow lily of the valley and enjoy fragrant woodland flowers in your yard
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How and when to fertilize clematis plants – for a profusion of colorful blooms
Feeding your clematis plants will ensure that your climbers stay healthy and floriferous
By Thomas Rutter Published
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'This garden is for the wallflowers' – The Bridgerton Garden captures the romance of the Regency era at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The Bridgerton Garden, designed by Holly Johnston, is a secluded sanctuary that tells Penelope Fetherington's transformative story
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Best plants from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 – these are the plants that stole the show
Thousands of picture-perfect plants were on display at the Chelsea Flower Show this year, but these plants were the talk of the town
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How and when to feed monkey grass – to keep this part-shade perennial thriving
This low-maintenance ground cover is a tough plant, but feeding can help to improve growth and flowering
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How to care for delphinium plants – 3 expert tips for long-lasting flowers
With the right care and attention, you can extend your delphinium displays
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How to propagate clematis plants – expert tips for successful softwood cuttings
Taking cuttings is an easy way to grow your clematis collection
By Thomas Rutter Published
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When and how to move a rose – expert advice for successfully transplanting roses
Timing and preparation are both of paramount importance when moving roses.
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Best fragrant hedge plants – 6 perfumed shrubs for beautiful boundaries
Hedge planting needn't be dull. These hedge ideas will add scent, color and interest to the perimeter of your plot
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Best full-shade perennials – 7 perfect plants to add foliage and flowers to darker borders
These perennial plants will brighten up even the shadiest of yards, adding lush foliage and brilliant blooms to tricky areas under shrubs and trees
By Thomas Rutter Published
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I'm a professional gardener, and this is the reliable and resilient perennial every garden needs
I have grown salvia in many gardens where I have worked, and this perennial never fails to put on a show
By Thomas Rutter Published
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How and when to fertilize hedges in spring – expert advice for healthy green growth
Knowing how and when to fertilize hedges is important and will give your boundaries a boost this year
By Thomas Rutter Published
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These are the most unusual and aromatic mint varieties to grow this year
There are so many mint varieties to choose from, but these delicious and unique plants are the ones to grow
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Discover how to revive woody clematis plants – professional gardeners offer expert advice to save your mature flowering climbers
With the right pruning and care, gardeners can revive woody clematis plants, and keep them blooming for many more years
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Should I fertilize established trees? Expert gardeners reveal how best to care for mature trees
While trees might not need as much attention as perennials or annuals, we should not forget them. Professional gardeners advise on how and when to use fertilizer
By Thomas Rutter Published
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These are the secrets to zinnia success – discover how to keep them blooming well into the fall
By following a few simple steps, gardeners can enjoy zinnia flowers up until the first frost
By Thomas Rutter Published
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Is it necessary to deadhead hibiscus flowers? Gardening experts share hibiscus growing secrets
Deadheading spent blooms can help to improve the appearance of shrubs and extend flowering, but it might not be necessary for every hibiscus species
By Thomas Rutter Published