Hardy Plant Focus: Prunus part 1 - flowering cherries for the garden

Flowering cherries are a quintessential harbinger of spring in the UK — probably more so than crab apples, hawthorns, rowans and whitebeams combined — and they likely constitute the most often-planted and widely recognised garden trees.

Hardy Plant Focus: Magnolia — large-flowered hybrids for the garden

This genus contains unarguably some of the most beautiful shrubs and trees, in terms of both flowers and fragrance, that we are able to grow in our temperate UK climate.

Native trees and shrubs - part five

Natives can add high ornamental and wildlife value in parks, urban gardens and rural estates, writes Sally Drury.

Scale insects: the most vulnerable stage of the life cycle needs to be targeted

Sciarid and shore flies: Frass from these pests reduces plant quality while feeding damage creates entry points for serious root diseases

Botrytis: protecting ornamentals crops from Botrytis