The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012 kicks off this week and after months of preparation, this year’s show is as spectacular as ever. Today, we've been checking out the gorgeous blooms at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show (and can't wait to see which gorgeous celebs will be there this week too!). Have you ever wondered about all that behind the scenes work and what it’s like to design and build a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show? To find out, we asked gold-medal-winning de...View more
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
May 20th, 2012
They say it's set to be dry this weekend and now's a great time to plant strawberries for delicious, sweet fruits this summer. They’re so easy to grow, and a great idea for children, who can join in the fun and will be amazed to see how the little flowers turn into juicy red berries as the weeks pass.
There are lots of strawberry varieties to choose from, with early types, such as Honeoye and Christine, fruiting from late May, mid season crops developing later in the summer, and everbearer or perpetual...
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
May 11th, 2012
Spring has sprung at last, but if winter’s taken its toll on your garden and it’s in need of some serious TLC, help is at hand. We’ve asked leading garden designer Sam Brown for a few of her expert tips to help you update your garden style and inject that essential “now” factor.
I want year-round interest in my urban garden. What do you suggest?
'Use foliage plants, such as clipped box, which will look great all year. A row of box cubes or balls always looks stylish and will suit both a formal and country garden. P...View more
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
April 9th, 2012
If you’re wondering what to give your mum this Mother’s Day, beautiful flowers say it best. The Rhodes sisters of florists Hayford & Rhodes run a Flower School and are experts at putting together stunning bouquets. ACHICA Living asked the sisters, Amy (left), Laura (centre) and Joanna (right), for their top tips on creating beautiful flower arrangements for the home. Here's their expert advice...
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
March 13th, 2012
Just because the sun sets before 6pm, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our gardens in the evening. All you need is a bit of expert lighting positioning...and possibly a warm jacket! But if outside is lit with a warming glow, it's easy to enjoy your garden from inside too. As spring approaches, now’s a great time to start planning your garden lighting. To find out how to create the perfect outdoor lighting plan, we called upon the expertise of leading garden designer, Janine Pattison. Janine has won many awards for h...View more
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
March 6th, 2012
If your garden is looking lifeless and in need of a lift, check out your garden centre for evergreen leaves to liven up the proceedings. Go for a range of different colours, textures and shapes for dazzling displays that will add winter sparkle, even in the depths of a freezing February.
Patio panache
For pots and containers, opt for sophisticated plant partners to inject a touch of class into your patio or balcony displays. I planted up this arrangement for a friend’s birthday pres...
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
February 15th, 2012
Liven up your garden with colour and song this winter by inviting your local birds to a tasty feast of nuts and treats, washed down with some cool, clean water. This is a great time for a spot of twitching, since birds are easier to see when plants are stripped bare of their leafy camouflage, and you may be surprised at the number of different species that pay you a visit at this time of year. Here's how to get the party started...
First, set up a bird café, with an assortment of feeders and smorgasbord...
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
January 14th, 2012
My idea of a successful Christmas shopping trip is walking to my office at the bottom of the garden and ordering everything online, but it can still be an arduous task finding the right pressie for garden-minded friends. So to help you, I’ve trawled through the internet and come up with my top 10 gifts for gardeners. I would love any of these (must send a link to all my family members!) and I hope they inspire you too...
1. Kitchen Garden with shelf from ...View more
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
December 15th, 2011
If you’ve made your decorations (see our how to here) and would like a real tree to hang them from, you may be wondering what type to buy. To help you, I asked my friend Simon Maughan, who, together with his father Pete, owns Frenchay Christmas Tree farm just outside Bristol.
'You have a choice of the popular non-dro...
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
December 10th, 2011
Make this fabulous Christmas garland with a few pine cones, cinnamon sticks, seasonal fruit and bits and pieces from your garden. It not only looks beautiful, but has a delicious scent too. When the Christmas chaos of shopping, card-writing, and parties just gets too much, I like to hide away, listen to some mellow festive tunes, and do something creative.
So if you’ve watched Kirsty Allsop’s attempts to get crafty on TV and thought you’d like to have a go too, try this easy Christmas garland, which I made in just a couple of hours last ...View more
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Posted by Zia Allaway, Garden Expert, ACHICA Living
December 8th, 2011
