How to tie in dahlias

When you think of cut flowers, many people will picture colourful, summer blooming plants like dahlias and peonies, but some of the prettiest and earliest flowers to emerge can be used too. Bring the magic of snowdrops inside, by picking a few to display in a vase. Keep things as simple as possible, combining the blooms with ivy or other small-leaved evergreens. A clear, clean jam jar makes a great vase if you don’t have one that’s small enough to hold the dainty flowers. Keep them on a window

Snowdrops (Galanthus sp.) are some of the first bulbs to emerge in the year, and their pretty, nodding flowers signal the beginning of spring. A snowdrop container is easy to create and will make an attractive display – just make sure you plant the snowdrops in the ground, after flowering has finished. Before you start your snowdrop pot, collect some moss from around the garden to create give your container a lush, natural-looking topping. You won’t need much, as a little goes a long way. Before

One of the easiest ways to propagate violas, aside from sowing or dividing them, is to take cuttings. Taking cuttings also guarantees that you’ll get identical plants to the original, as most varieties won’t come true from saved seeds. Cuttings tend to be easy to root, taken either in spring from vigorous young plants or later in summer when established plants are growing back again, having been cut back and tidied up. More advice on taking plant cuttings: How to take rosemary cuttings Takin

The maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) was once thought of as an exotic curio, but has found new life as a trouble-free, attractive tree for ‘ordinary’ gardens, and one which won’t cast heavy shade. It will ultimately grow into a large tree, so it’s not a good choice for small-to-medium sized gardens. If space is limited, look for the upright form, Ginkgo biloba ‘Fastigiata’ or check out our recommended trees for small gardens. Discover how to plant a ginkgo tree, below.