GARDENING in no time

Transform packaging tins into colourful plant-friendly containers simply  by drilling drainage holes into their bases. It’s a favourite trick in Mediterranean countries where olive oil, biscotti and amaretti are often sold in decorative tins adorned with great graphics. Follow their lead by scouring Italian delicatessens and other ethnic food stores, such as Turkish, Spanish and Asian, for suitable containers. Even regular supermarkets can be great hunting grounds, especially at Christmas time » read the rest of this article

Plastic water bottles make great junk containers because many come with pretty labels with interesting graphics and they’re easily adapted to create perfect summer containers. Gather together several of the same design for impact. Alternatively, make up a collection of bottles in a mixture of shapes and sizes with contrasting labels. Simply cut off the tops and plant up the bottles with the best of the season’s bedding. Give-away containers like these can be used with abandon. » read the rest of this article

A reproduction Victorian birdcage makes a delightful container that looks pretty hanging from a tree, positioned outside the front of the house, or even placed on the garden table.

Anything with drainage holes can be drafted in as an effective planter – and if it doesn’t have holes, then you can always make them! Birdcages are particularly attractive, providing a charming structure for climbing plants to weave through with their tendrils, and introducing an architectural element to any outside space. » read the rest of this article

As the days begin to shorten and night temperatures fall, many plants have completed their annual cycles and retreat underground. The end of the growing season is signalled by the brilliant colour displays of deciduous trees before they drop their leaves and enter their dormancy. The vibrance of the show varies each year but most of the maples (Acer) give rich, reliable autumnal tints. There is also plenty of choice for gardens that are too small to accommodate large trees: shrubs, such as Euonymus alatus » read the rest of this article