Saffron comes from the bright red stigmas of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). Plant the bulbs during August (or when your bulbs arrive) in a nice sunny spot or a pot on a hot patio and they will produce lovely scented blooms during the autumn year after year.

Once the flowers open look for the red ribbons dangling from the centre of the flowers, pick them carefully with a pair of tweezers and either use them in your favourite dish or dry them and store in an airtight container, in a cool place, for up to two years.

The best way to dry the saffron is to place the red strands on a paper towel for several days in a warm, dry place.

• Plant your Indoor Bulbs for Christmas Flowers - I’ve just been to buy my prepared hyacinths and some paper-white narcissi. Here’s what to do to get yours to produce scented flowers in time for ChristmasTweet ...
• How to Grow Fragrant Sweet Peas - Sweet Peas are one of the most popular plants for UK gardens. They are annuals so only last the one summer but the display they give is always amazing; lots and lots of colourful, usually fragrant, flowers growing on bright green stems up to 6-7ft in height. Wonderful!Tweet ...
• Now is the time to divide your snowdrops - It is always best to plant Snowdrops “in the green”, that is; when they are still in leaf and even flower. In the green is also the best time to divide congested clumps and replant around you garden.Tweet ...

These bright scarlet red flowers add a bright splash of colour in areas where you may struggle to grow anything else and as they self seed in their hundreds they are extremely low maintenance.

One thing to note is that the seed can lay dormant for years until the soil is disturbed sometimes making it difficult to germinate, however, if you gently rake the surface of the soil around the area you will give them a helping hand.

They need a weed-free light soil and love hard frosts and warm spring days. Prepare the soil by lightly raking the surface and broadcast sow during autumn or in early March. If you do not get a display in the first year, rake over the area and you should get germination in the second year.

They flower in early summer and reach between 18 and 24 inches in height.

Thompson & Morgan are selling packs of 2000 seeds for just £2.19 and 10p is donated to Royal British Legion (Registered charity no. 210063).

• Our Plant of the Month – Euphorbia - Euphorbias are a vast genus of fully hardy perennials with about 2000 varieties.Tweet ...
• Produce a colourful display in just a few weeks - Now in early July the bed is full of colour. Orange, yellow and pink californian poppies and blue and white cornflowers and there are still lots of plants not yet in flower.Tweet ...
• Our Plant of the Month – Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) - One of the most spectacular plants in January and February is Hamamelis or Witch Hazel with the added bonus of brightly coloured leaves during the AutumnTweet ...

At this time of year most people will be harvesting the last of their vegetable crops and will be left with large areas of bare soil.

To help stop weeds germinating and to improve the soil for next season, sow green manures. In the Spring you just dig the resulting crop into the soil, leave it for a couple of weeks and begin planting.

Click the link for our full article on Green Manures.

Buy Green Manure seeds from Suttons:

• Green Manure Mix Seeds - adds nutrients and moisture to soil. Price: £2.99
• Organic Green Manure Red Clover Seeds - helps improve fertility. Price: £2.45
• Organic Green Manure Phacelia Balo Seeds - dense, quick-growing foliage. Price: £2.45

• All-in-One Seedbed Roll - The Seedbed Roll has been developed to conserve water and to produce salads and vegetables which are chemical, pest and disease free.Tweet ...
• Now is the time to divide your snowdrops - It is always best to plant Snowdrops “in the green”, that is; when they are still in leaf and even flower. In the green is also the best time to divide congested clumps and replant around you garden.Tweet ...
• How to Grow Fragrant Sweet Peas - Sweet Peas are one of the most popular plants for UK gardens. They are annuals so only last the one summer but the display they give is always amazing; lots and lots of colourful, usually fragrant, flowers growing on bright green stems up to 6-7ft in height. Wonderful!Tweet ...

Some are low and spreading and so fill in gaps which tend to appear at this time of year, some have wonderful flowering spikes with amazing colour, and some provide height, always a bonus in any garden.

Here is a small selection of grasses available from Crocus.co.uk; click the images for more detail.

Grasses can be used in several ways, often they are planted in drifts through a border which creates a natural look and brings different parts of the garden together into one cohesive design. They can also be planted as individual specimens adding dramatic impact to the smallest of gardens. If room is limited or if you have a paved garden or yard, grasses can easily be grown in containers which often helps to soften more formal designs and also means they can be moved around to change the impact as the year progresses.

Giant grasses such as pampas grasses quickly form enormous clumps and can soon dominate a bed so only plant these where space is plentiful or try them in containers.

There are many smaller grasses which can be accommodated in even the smallest of borders; read the label carefully before planting to ensure you have the correct amount of space

Sedges are suitable for damp conditions and the Britain's native sedge, Carex pendula is well worth trying if your garden is on the damp side.

Most grasses are easy to grow but most need full sun to get the most out of them, any soil type will do. Feed in the spring with a general fertiliser but don’t over feed. Cut back in February and add a thick layer of mulch.

Click here to see the full range of Grasses from Crocus.co.uk

Or take a look at the range from Gardening Express

• Plant your Spring Flowering Bulbs - Spring Flowering Bulbs come in lots of shapes, sizes and colours but the one thing they have in common is the ability to turn a dull late winter, early spring garden into an oasis of light and colour. No garden is complete without the good old daffodil or tulip but there are many other spring ...
• Plant of the Month for August – Hydrangea - Hydrangeas are wonderful plants and often under rated; they flower for months right up to the frosts, they grow to a good sized shrub so are ideal for adding structure to your borders and they can be used as a cut flower too.Tweet ...
• Our Plant of the Month for February – Camellia - Camellias are wonderful plants giving amazing splashes of colour on bleak February days. The glossy dark green foliage remains throughout the year to add interest at all times.Tweet ...

• Choose a nice pot and plant up your bulbs leaving the tops of the bulbs poking out of the compost
• Water in  and place the pots in a cool, dark place (maximum temperature 9 degrees); an unheated shed or garage is best.
• Keep the compost moist and check regularly
• As soon as you see the flower bud emerging bring the pots into a warm, light room and your bulbs should be flowering in time for Christmas
• Keep the compost moist at all times but don't over water

Hyacinths can also be grown in special hyacinth glasses which require no compost.

Fill the glass with water but make sure that the bottom of the bulb doesn't touch the water. Keep the glass in a cold, dark place until the bud is about 2ins tall by which time the roots will have grown down into the water. At this stage the glass can be bought into a warm, light room. Keep the water topped up.

Crocus.co.uk are selling Hyacinth Bulb Vase for £2.99 or £5.98 for three.

• Poinsettia for Christmas - I love Poinsettia and for me Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without at least one; this year I’ve got four! My four poinsettia are arranged on a deep windowsill in red pots surrounded by a green swag which is covered in red fairy lights – it looks amazing! These days this deciduous shrub is produced in vast ...
• Now is the time to divide your snowdrops - It is always best to plant Snowdrops “in the green”, that is; when they are still in leaf and even flower. In the green is also the best time to divide congested clumps and replant around you garden.Tweet ...
• Plant your Spring Flowering Bulbs - Spring Flowering Bulbs come in lots of shapes, sizes and colours but the one thing they have in common is the ability to turn a dull late winter, early spring garden into an oasis of light and colour. No garden is complete without the good old daffodil or tulip but there are many other spring ...

Over the years I have planted a number of early and late flowering Clematis below my established shrubs which has meant that when you least expect it wonderfully coloured flowers emerge from the shrubs foliage.

Not all Clematis are suitable for this treatment, try the small-flowered species which flower in early spring on last season’s growth. The stems can look a little unsightly during the winter so grow these through evergreen shrubs to disguise the Clematis stems. Once they have finished flowering carefully remove dead or damaged stems, and reduce other stems if they are taking over the shrub. Every few years you can rejuvenate older plants by cutting down to 15-30cm (6-12in) from the base immediately after flowering. This will keep the clematis in check and avoid damaging the shrub it is growing through.

You can also try the late summer flowering varieties which flower on this years growth meaning that you can cut the whole plant down to a pair of strong buds 15-20cm (6-8in) above soil level, before growth begins in early spring leaving your shrub free to do its thing during early summer.

• Giant Snowflake – Leucojum Gravetye Giant - The flowers are like large snowdrops and are borne on long bright green stems of about 14ins (36cm); they are a great addition to your Spring display.Tweet ...
• What’s the difference between Chinese Wisteria and Japanese Wisteria? - Wisteria is a wonderful, colourful climber which is very easy to grow and has hanging, fragrant clusters of flowers during May and JuneTweet ...
• Plants for Winter Colour - I have chosen six plants which you should be able to easily find in your local garden centre and that are easy to grow. Most need little attention throughout the year but keep the Dogwoods well pruned to maintain the lovely coloured stems and prune the winter flowering jasmineafter flowering to ensure flowers for the ...

I dug out the roots and added some fertiliser and waited until the weather warmed up.

Over the last year or so I had accumulated a number of annual seed packets so in early June I took a small bucket, added some sharp sand and mixed all all the seeds.

Then, after watering, I scattered the seeds/sand mixture over the prepared area and covered it with garden netting to keep the birds away.

Within a couple of weeks the seedlings germinated and after another couple of weeks I was able to "prick out" the more densely sown areas.

Now in early July the bed is full of colour. Orange, yellow and pink Californian poppies and blue and white cornflowers and there are still lots of plants not yet in flower.

I would recommend this way of gardening to everyone; it's easy, cheap and very rewarding.

I'll post an update in a couple of weeks time when more flowers should be open.

• Plants for Winter Colour - I have chosen six plants which you should be able to easily find in your local garden centre and that are easy to grow. Most need little attention throughout the year but keep the Dogwoods well pruned to maintain the lovely coloured stems and prune the winter flowering jasmineafter flowering to ensure flowers for the ...
• Our Plant of the Month – Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) - One of the most spectacular plants in January and February is Hamamelis or Witch Hazel with the added bonus of brightly coloured leaves during the AutumnTweet ...
• What’s the difference between Chinese Wisteria and Japanese Wisteria? - Wisteria is a wonderful, colourful climber which is very easy to grow and has hanging, fragrant clusters of flowers during May and JuneTweet ...

Ideally Wisteria should be grown against a wall or fence with a sturdy support system in place. However, it can be grown as a tree or shrub if pruned correctly.

There are two main species of Wisteris; W. floribunda or Japanese Wisteria and W. sinensis or Chinese Wisteria.

Wisteria floribunda flowers in May and June with clusters of flowers reaching up to 46cm (18ins) in length. The flowers range in colour from white through pink to shades of blue and appear at the same time as the leaves begin to develop.

Wisteria sinensis flowers mainly during May and the clusters of flowers are slightly smaller at up to 31cm (12ins). They tend to be either white or lilac and the flowers open all at once before the leave appear.

Plant your Wisteria in a sunny, well drained position, add manure or compost to the planting hole to give it a good start and water it in well and keep well watered until established. Once established it will thrive on a certain amount of neglect so don't water or fertilise it unless it is looking sorry for itself in which case a small amount of rose fertiliser during late winter should perk it up.

To ensure a good display of flowers Wisteria needs to be pruned twice a year. Make sure that your secateurs are sharp to avoid crushing or tearing the stems, which may lead to die-back.

Winter Pruning - Between October and mid March cut back this season's growth to two or three buds from the base. Cut at an angle just above the bud. This will encourage the development of spurs which carry the flowers in spring.

Summer Pruning - Between late June and Mid August but ideally in April or May cut back the long vigorous shoots that have been produced during late spring and early summer. Cut just above a couple of buds from the base. If the plant is young and still being trained, select some of the stronger shoots to tie into the frame and cut back to this framework.

Buy Wisteria from Crocus.co.uk

• Plants for Winter Colour - I have chosen six plants which you should be able to easily find in your local garden centre and that are easy to grow. Most need little attention throughout the year but keep the Dogwoods well pruned to maintain the lovely coloured stems and prune the winter flowering jasmineafter flowering to ensure flowers for the ...
• Camellia sinensis for Making Tea - Camellia sinensis is similar to the more common ornamental varieties but with the benefit of being able to produce tea from the leaves and shoots.Tweet ...
• Plant of the Month for August – Hydrangea - Hydrangeas are wonderful plants and often under rated; they flower for months right up to the frosts, they grow to a good sized shrub so are ideal for adding structure to your borders and they can be used as a cut flower too.Tweet ...

The zones are defined differently in the UK, the US and Europe.

The UK uses the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Zones:

• H - Fully Hardy - Hardy to -15 degrees C (5 degrees F)
• FH - Frost Hardy - Hardy to -5 degrees C (23 degrees F)
• HH - Half Hardy - Hardy to zero degrees C (32 degrees F)
• FT - Frost Tender - Not hardy below 5 degrees C (41 degrees F)

The rest of Europe uses the European Garden Flora (EGF) Zones:

• H1 - Hardy to -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F) and below
• H2 - Hardy to -15 to-20 degrees C (5 to -4 degrees F)
• H3 - Hardy to -10 to -15 degrees C (14 to 5 degrees F)
• H4 - Hardy to -5 to -10 degrees C (23 to 14 degrees F)
• H5 - Hardy to zero to 5 degrees C (32 to 40 degrees F)
• G1 - Requires cool greenhouse protection
• G2 - Requires heated greenhouse protection

The US uses a wider zoning system which is detailed in the diagram below:

• Plant your Indoor Bulbs for Christmas Flowers - I’ve just been to buy my prepared hyacinths and some paper-white narcissi. Here’s what to do to get yours to produce scented flowers in time for ChristmasTweet ...
• Olive Tree – Olea europaea - The Olive originally comes from the Mediterranean so are used to dry, hot conditions and not really suited to the UK climate. Try growing one in a large pot.Tweet ...
• Camellia sinensis for Making Tea - Camellia sinensis is similar to the more common ornamental varieties but with the benefit of being able to produce tea from the leaves and shoots.Tweet ...

The like full sun or partial shade in light, well-drained soil. They are fast growing and flower during April and May with insignificant flowers. It is the bracts which give the colour, ranging from limey yellow to bright orange.

Euphorbia require little care, just cut back the faded flower stems in the autumn. Take care when working with euphorbia as the milky sap is poisonous and can cause skin irritations.

The Euphorbia in our garden is Euphorbia polychroma whose dark green, lance-shaped leaves are topped with a froth of bright, acid yellow spring flowers that form a distinctive star shape. In autumn the foliage turns a lovely shade of bronze.

Below is a selection of Euphorbias on sale at Crocus.co.uk, click on the pictures for more information:

Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow'	Euphorbia × martini	Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea'	Euphorbia characias Silver Swan ('Wilcott')

• Our Plant of the Month – Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) - One of the most spectacular plants in January and February is Hamamelis or Witch Hazel with the added bonus of brightly coloured leaves during the AutumnTweet ...
• Plant your Spring Flowering Bulbs - Spring Flowering Bulbs come in lots of shapes, sizes and colours but the one thing they have in common is the ability to turn a dull late winter, early spring garden into an oasis of light and colour. No garden is complete without the good old daffodil or tulip but there are many other spring ...
• Plants for Winter Colour - I have chosen six plants which you should be able to easily find in your local garden centre and that are easy to grow. Most need little attention throughout the year but keep the Dogwoods well pruned to maintain the lovely coloured stems and prune the winter flowering jasmineafter flowering to ensure flowers for the ...