Niamh Collins

The dream for most garden owners is not to have a boundary at all – given a choice we’d probably all prefer an unbroken ‘borrowed’ view, preferably of idyllic countryside or suitably breath-taking scenery. The reality for many of us is that some sort of boundary at the border of our gardens or between us and our neighbours is essential. So, given that most of us aren’t gazing at our estate over a hidden ha-ha, how best can we treat our boundaries for maximum aesthetic appeal? 

Autumn has officially arrived which means honey coloured leaves have been shed from their trees, dew sparkles on the morning grass, and gardeners can take a deep breath — the hardest work of the year has been done, and now we have to consider how best to protect the garden for the arrival of frosts. There is still much to enjoy in golden interest, stems of Stipa gigantea, the rich burgundy reds of Panicum ‘Hänse Herms’, the dainty blues of Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, and the dahlias will continue if you’re regimented about deadheading.

The fresh vibrant greens of summer begin to change when September arrives. Burnt oranges, buttery golds and rich reds dominate the garden canvas as leaves crisp and fall.

From gliding swallows to feisty thrushes, the RSPB helps us identify which birds will be making an appearance in your garden now that the summer sun has arrived.

Montes & Clark has teamed up with The English Garden to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a dinner party bundle, worth £126.

International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) is now in its 17th competition year and continues to be one of the world’s most respected photography competitions and touring exhibition; especially in the garden and plant photography genres. 

Steep sand dunes punctured by clusters of beachgrass, frothy sea depositing razor clams and small conches for the eagle-eyed to eagerly gather along tranquil stretches of beach, and towering pines that buffer peerless coastline from swathes of parkland, a trip to Norfolk has long been de rigueur for holiday makers who appreciate its quaint chocolate box villages, abundant countryside and proximity to the sea. 

Henchman has teamed up with The English Garden to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a 6ft Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder, worth £339.

There’s nothing better than growing your own organic vegetables, freshly harvested and available to eat that day. However, here at Garden Organic’s demonstration garden we also want to grow produce that’s attractive and encourages pollinators and beneficial insects.

Capel founded Border Sundials in 1991 initially making Armillary Spheres and later branching out into horizontal and vertical sundials.  ‘I love the connection that sundials provide between the heavens and earth but also the mathematical, scientific and cultural links they create between us and our forbears.’

CJ Wildlife has teamed up with The English Garden to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a National Trust Queens Bird Table, worth £119.99.

Try these delicious flavoursome summer cocktail recipes to recreate Chelsea at home. We’ve even got the kids covered with a homemade elderflower cordial recipe just perfect for this time of year.

“A very common issue with urban gardens is the lack of space. We suggest that people approach this as an opportunity rather than an issue. Like The Shifting Garden that we presented at Chelsea Flower Show, containers can be the allies to create a lush and inviting outdoor space. We can play with different textures, sizes and colours to fit any space. The downsize of using containers is that they drain fairly quicky and the plants need more attention, but an irrigation system is the best solution. If the floorspace is small, consider the vertical elements of the space: walls, trellises, staggered pots.”

All the latest garden news and the best UK garden events to look out for in July.