JAMES HITCHMOUGH’S 50 top plants to grow
James Hitchmough has created gardens around the world using sustainable, long-term, naturalistic and often seed-sown plantings. He is best known for projects such as London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Knepp Walled Garden, and is an emeritus professor of horticultural ecology at the University of Sheffield. James is currently developing his own garden in Somerset with particular focus on a planting palette for a changing climate. Here, he reveals his top 50 plants to grow now, and for the future
CITRUS
Offering evergreen foliage and a year-round supply of fruit, citrus trees are easy to grow, provided you have somewhere to overwinter them
MAHONIA
Content to grow in shady spots and poor soil, these unfussy evergreen shrubs with bright, fragrant blooms are excellent for lifting the winter gloom
Winter haven
John Little's experimental garden is a sanctuary for wildlife in winter, when the structure behind its summer abundance is revealed
SISTER ACT
Two food-obsessed sisters have turned a mission to create exciting meat-free meals into a thriving mushroom business
EARLY CAMELLIAS
The group of camellias known as ‘sasanquas’ flower in autumn to early winter, bringing much-needed colour and often delicious scent to late-season gardens
CRAFTING CONTAINER GARDENS
Stuck growing in pots and raised beds? You can still create a stylish garden, says Charlotte Harris
AUTUMN-FLOWERING BULBS
Bulbs aren't just for spring – there are plenty of exciting autumn-flowering beauties you can plant to bring welcome cheer as the days draw in
JAMES HITCHMOUGH’S 50 top plants to grow
James Hitchmough has created gardens around the world using sustainable, long-term, naturalistic and often seed-sown plantings. He is best known for projects such as London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Knepp Walled Garden, and is an emeritus professor of horticultural ecology at the University of Sheffield. James is currently developing his own garden in Somerset with particular focus on a planting palette for a changing climate. Here, he reveals his top 50 plants to grow now, and for the future
CITRUS
Offering evergreen foliage and a year-round supply of fruit, citrus trees are easy to grow, provided you have somewhere to overwinter them
MAHONIA
Content to grow in shady spots and poor soil, these unfussy evergreen shrubs with bright, fragrant blooms are excellent for lifting the winter gloom
Winter haven
John Little's experimental garden is a sanctuary for wildlife in winter, when the structure behind its summer abundance is revealed
SISTER ACT
Two food-obsessed sisters have turned a mission to create exciting meat-free meals into a thriving mushroom business
EARLY CAMELLIAS
The group of camellias known as ‘sasanquas’ flower in autumn to early winter, bringing much-needed colour and often delicious scent to late-season gardens
CRAFTING CONTAINER GARDENS
Stuck growing in pots and raised beds? You can still create a stylish garden, says Charlotte Harris
AUTUMN-FLOWERING BULBS
Bulbs aren't just for spring – there are plenty of exciting autumn-flowering beauties you can plant to bring welcome cheer as the days draw in