Summer Ideas, Tips & Guides

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If you want your garden to stand out with vivid blossoms in the hotter months of the year, then you are in for a treat! These are the most stunning Perennial Flowers that Bloom All Summer!

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The jewel-like colours of the dahlias were calling me today, but having featured ‘brights’ in recent vases I decided to go for more pastel shades instead. Although I started with cosmos (not as tall as some years, not a bad thing, and certainly bushy and reasonably floriferous, which they weren’t last year), cutting a few stems of each variety, they have largely disappeared amongst the other contents. Having discovered another Double Click variety, I have grown all four this year: DC Cranberries, Snow Puff, Rose Bonbon and Bicolor Rose, the latter being the newest one.

Clematis are showy, versatile vines that are well-known and beloved for their beautiful flowers.They’re outstanding for adding vertical accents with bright,

Summer is the best time to take a step back, slow down, and spend more time doing things we enjoy under the sun or in the comfort of our homes.

Summer has arrived with a host of new trends to embrace and explore. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to pin down which trends are best suited for your home. Big statements and patterns work well for some, while more subtle timeless options are more in line with others—luckily, our zodiac signs can provide some insight.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Summer squash are among the

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add a burst of colour to your garden, then a container packed full of plants is the perfect solution. And in the middle of summer, there’s an abundance of options to bring fabulous flowers and foliage to your pots. Discover some of the best plants for glorious summer containers. Our choices include recommendations from the Gardeners’ World team and familiar faces from across the gardening industry.

Summer is near, and everything seems to be growing so abundantly that overnight, the garden changes and looks lusher and fuller. Summer brings many great things to a garden. But summer can also bring some challenges. 

In the turning of a gardening year, the significance of the summer solstice is hard to overstate. Seasoned gardeners will tell you that it is the hinge in the horticultural calendar, the (dare I say it) beginning of the end, that bittersweet moment in the season when nature takes its foot off the accelerator and growth starts to slow.

Show me the gardener who isn’t seduced by the sight and smell of a climbing rose in full and heady June bloom. And why not? It’s a particularly seductive mixture of perfume and colour that’s always guaranteed to pull at the heartstrings, reminding us of the beauty of the summer garden as well as its fleeting nature.

Is there any better feeling than a successful summer garden party? All your friends in one place, laughing and socialising in the summer sun. What's not to love?

Surprisingly, even way up north in Aberdeen the garden still holds on to a Summer look at the very end of September, and with an improvement in the weather, lets hope for an Indian Summer.

An English summer can be a temperamental one; days of scorching rays that could melt candle wax, followed by lashings of rain and cool evenings. A summer house is the perfect sanctuary to retreat to for both relaxing and entertaining whatever the weather. A place to observe the humming life of the garden, to watch the peonies burst forth, the roses bloom and clematis stretch open their long petals. Versatility and comfort must be at the forefront of any summer house decoration, but it’s the tasteful, thoughtful and unique touches that will make you return again and again to this multi-purpose space.

Head gardener Neil Miller could be described as one of the country’s premier rose devotees. Over his almost 20 year career at Hever, he has spread enough compost over the Rose Garden to cover Wembley football pitch 10 times over and has deadheaded an estimated one million roses!

An abundance of late summer fruits calls for a jam recipe. A simple jam recipe from Selina Lake will make the most of an abundant plum or damson harvest.

A stylish pergola is an excellent addition to any home, and an ideal choice to create comfortable coves in your lawn or backyard. A pergola emphasizes a home by adding shade to the backyard for family gatherings and get-togethers. The good news is that today, there are several choices available for those who are looking to get a pergola. From the style and the size to the materials used, you can easily find the perfect pergola to suit your needs. 

The season of late sunsets, swims in the sea and garden parties, summer is a joyous time, full of late sunsets, refreshing swims in the sea, blue skies and balmy weather. Also attendant to these warmer months are the myriad flowers on display no matter where you go: there are sweet-smelling peonies in Tesco, hydrangeas flowering on front lawns and ruby red zinnias sprouting in every park and field. To make the most of the the season's floral bounty, we've rounded up five simple flower arrangements perfect for a summer bouquet from the House & Garden archive.

The beauty of birds is all around us, but we don’t always slow down enough to enjoy their sounds and sights. Birdwatching is a great way to practice this sort of mindfulness, and with the hobby on the rise, now is a great time to get into it. While bird migration in North America typically happens during the fall and spring, you can still get into birdwatching during summer months.

Hydrangeas have exploded in popularity in recent years and so has the number of cultivars available. One group of hydrangeas, developed by plant breeder Dr. Michael Dirr and released in 2004, changed the complexion of the hydrangea industry. Previously, hydrangeas bloomed on either old wood or new wood, but the Hydrangea macrophylla Endless Summer series blooms on last season’s wood and the current season’s wood, providing repeat blooming for an extended period.

Dunkin'

Hailing from hot, arid climes, such as the Mediterranean and Australia, drought-tolerant plants can withstand prolonged periods of heat with no rain. The majority thrive in full sun, with their roots in well-drained soil or gravel beds that have been enriched with peat-free compost. As our climate changes, they ensure borders are a floriferous show of colour and scent all summer long, without the need to water.

The transitional days from winter to spring and summer to autumn are visually the most inspiring to me. Trying to spot the very first subtle changes that signal the arrival of a new season brings a quiet feeling of rejuvenation and mentally kick-starts my motivation for fresh projects, both indoors and out. Summer, however, is the season when I slow down – or at least try to – to observe and relish the completed projects of seasons past as well as a garden in lush, fresh bloom.

First things first, congratulations on getting your new summer house. A summer house is a cherished retreat, a haven where one can escape everyday life's fast-paced hustle and bustle. It serves as a sanctuary, allowing us to connect with nature and unwind in a tranquil environment.

A quick search for “picnic aesthetic” on Pinterest brings up photo after photo of a perfectly curated picnic setup: homemade heart-shaped cakes, bowls of colorful fruits, and bottles of San Pellegrino or pitchers of lemonade spread across airy, white linen blankets, usually accompanied by a bouquet of wildflowers. What you won’t find in these curated picnic pics are styrofoam cups, paper plates, and plastic utensils—and while a big part of that comes from the desire to create a pretty photo op, sustainability also plays a role. 

When you think of the ultimate girls’ trip, beach getaway destination, Miami is always one of the spots that comes to mind. Especially with summer upon us, it’s understandable to fantasize about the dive bars and boat days this seaside city is known for—but if a trip isn’t in the works (at least not yet), setting up a staycation inspired by the coastal city is easier than ever now that Miamicore is taking over as a home decor trend. 

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Selling a home in the summer? You’re likely to see lots of interest in your property as buyers flock to tour it when the weather is nice and kids are out of school. 

Phoebe Cheong

Warm weather has finally arrived! Here’s what to do in your garden now.

With warmer weather finally on the horizon, it’s time to think about how we want to enjoy our outdoor spaces and if there are any updates we’d like to make. One new trend that’s on our radar is using woven pendant lighting to create ambiance without breaking the bank.

You’ve heard the jokes about what to do with too many zucchini. But – for many of us veggie garden lovers, at least – there is no such thing!Just one of the many members of the summer squash f

Summer an important season for sowing your favourite vegetable seeds, and with the weather so nice, it’s the perfect opportunity to start growing your own produce.

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Spring is coming, and the sun is more noticeable! A few days more, and you may like to enjoy the sweet summer mornings with a cup of hot coffee. And, if you’re not a morning person, don’t miss the warm evenings with a glass of wine, sitting and relaxing in the balcony! Here are some of the best Balcony Refurbishment Ideas!