Roses are among our favourite garden plants – and deservedly so. They are versatile, produce vibrant colour all summer long and well into autumn or even winter, and many are deliciously scented. Garden designer Joy Grey shares her favourites. The British have a long-time love affair with roses and this has been a bumper year…

Garden designer Joy Grey tells us climbers add an extra, vertical dimension to the garden, take up very little ground space and can be used in a variety of ways to transform even the smallest of gardens. Climbers can be used to disguise bare and ugly house walls, sheds, garages and eyesores. Train them on…

Garden designer, Joy Grey tells us the early-flowering shrubs to plant this spring. February and March see the days beginning to lengthen, temperatures increasing and the sap beginning to rise. There is a feeling of anticipation for the new season ahead and the garden coming to life again. Make sure your garden has a few…

Garden designer, Joy Grey tells us now is the time to buy your spring-flowering bulbs. They’ll herald an end to dark winter days, bringing a bright splash of colour to the garden when few other plants are in flower. Bulbs and corms have much to commend them. They’re easy to grow, inexpensive and there is…

Whether you are designing your new garden yourself or calling in a professional, garden designer Joy Grey tells us why a good design brief is important. To design a successful garden stand back from what you want to see and think about what you actually need. How do you use your existing garden? How do…

If you’re planning a redesign of your outside space, garden designer Joy Grey outlines how a professional could help you make the best of your garden. Successful ‘rooms’ don’t just happen, they need careful thought and planning – they need to be designed. Your garden is possibly your biggest ‘room’ and deserves the same thought,…