Gardens Illustrated Magazine

Widely regarded as the Vogue of the gardening press, Gardens Illustrated aims to inspire you with an eclectic and international editorial mix of remarkable places, plants and people. With superb photography, authoritative journalism and exceptional design, this award-winning magazine is a style bible for garden designers, garden lovers and enthusiasts alike.

Welcome

Contributors

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Gardens Illustrated Magazine

DIG IN • What’s new, what’s growing and what’s going on this month

What to do this month

3 FOR THE GARDEN…

May plants • A multi-coloured wallflower and deliciously scented hedgerow rose are among the choice late-spring plants chosen by designer and plantsman Dan Pearson

KITTED OUT • All you need to get ahead with potting on and planting out in the garden this month

PERSONAL TOUCHES • The owners of this charming country garden in Somerset added their own twist to its lush, terraced slopes with romantic, deer-proof planting for early summer

POTTED JOY • Nigel Slater fills his garden with pots, for reasons both practical and aesthetic

SAMBUCUS • Elders are easy-to-grow shrubs and small trees, best known for the cordial and wine made from their starry flowers and berries, but with newer cultivars now offering excellent ornamental qualities for the garden too

How to grow elders

CARMEN SHERIDAN • Cultural gardener Carmen cares for the Children’s and Community Garden at Wakehurst, Kew, running therapeutic and educational horticulture groups

A SPACE IN TIME • Collaboration between client and designer has resulted in this beautifully curated garden, which exudes a bucolic calm and sits in harmony with the ancient Dorset countryside

Artistic lightness • Garden maker James Horner uses lush foliage and delicate coloured blooms for fresh container combinations at Benton End in Suffolk, the former home of artist-plantsman Cedric Morris

CREATIVE COVER-UP • Designer Graham Lloyd-Brunt was put to the test when challenged to create a cottage-style potager in the city for his clients to grow the flowers and crops they wanted, but directly over a basement swimming pool

TOM HOBLYN • The garden designer on the joys of growing, the role of mentoring and collaborating with others, and why this year will be his last at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Ripple effect • Frothy perennials, lacy ferns and drifts of native wildflowers create gentle waves in this wildlife-friendly garden where water is key

GREAT EXPECTATIONS • What you need to know before the show — Stephanie Mahon looks at all the trends and themes, and outlines what to expect and look out for at RHS Chelsea 2025

SHOW GARDEN GUIDES • Discover the inspiration and thinking behind the designs of the top gardens at this year’s show

HOW TO WIN AT CHELSEA • What are the show garden judges thinking and what makes the difference between a Gold and Bronze medal? Here’s our guide to getting it right at Chelsea

FREE AND (NOT SO) EASY? • Volunteering means a pass into Chelsea without buying a ticket, but working at the show is far from a free ride. We look at how and why people give their time for the experience

IS IT A GARDEN OR IS IT A LANDSCAPE? • Are ‘naturescapes’ dominating the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and, if so, why? We ask designers, commentators and judges to weigh in on the debate

DOWNTOOLS • Book reviews, Q&A, the crossword and the big idea

COMING UP ROSES AGAIN • Two new books examine the place of the rose in art and literature, and in our own personal psyches - and both leave the reader with plenty to enjoy, says Matt Collins

Recommended reads this month

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