TIPS FROM Pettifers

1 Seek out specialist nursery experts

WHO WILL GIVE YOU INVALUABLE ADVICE. GINA RECOMMENDS ASHWOOD (ASHWOODNURSERIES.COM) FOR HELLEBORES, TAYLORS (TAYLORS-BULBS.COM) FOR

BULBS AND MARCHANTS HARDY PLANTS (MARCHANTSHARDYPLANTS.CO.UK) FOR GRASSES AND PERENNIALS.

2 Use grasses to knit your borders together – ASK FOR ADVICE SO YOU CAN PICK THE RIGHT VARIETIES FOR YOUR GARDEN.

3 Visit exemplary gardens with friends,

AND TAKE NOTES AND PHOTOGRAPHS.

4 Make your borders as wide as you can

SO THAT YOU HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM TO PLAY WITH DIFFERENT PLANT COMBINATIONS.

5 Don’t put up with plants that don’t work for you. DIG THEM UP AND PASS THEM ON TO SOMEONE WHO WILL APPRECIATE THEM.