Hartley Magazine

All the latest news, hints, tips and advice from our experts

James Alexander Sinclair Writes About Horatio’s Garden, Glasgow

Over the years I have made a lot of gardens in many parts of the world. They have embraced all sorts of styles and situations from the very formal, to the wildly unkempt from the classical to the modern. However, I think I confidently say that the garden we have made for Horatio in Scotland […]

How to keep your garden secure by Louise Jessop

It is a well-known fact that during winter, incidents of burglary are more common throughout the country. As the nights draw in, burglars and thieves are able to use the cover of darkness to extend the hours of their ‘work’. Thankfully however, there are steps that we can take to help secure our gardens from […]

Planning and designing your own garden -10 things you need to know to begin

Designing and developing your own garden is certainly not for the faint hearted! Whilst you may think: “grass, a fence and somewhere to sit-how hard can it be?” the chances are, if you are aware of the value that a great garden can bring to your property and are reading this article you want to be a bit more […]

Designing a garden – a novice’s approach by Alison Wren

I love gardens, but I’m not much of a gardener. I enjoy caring for plants, but I’m even happier sitting in my outdoor space, just relaxing. Breakfast in the garden on a sunny day is one of my favourite treats.  However, we’ve just moved into a new house with a garden 3 times bigger than […]

Outdoor Pools in the UK- Fancy or Folly? by Thomas Jones

  The British people are very sensitive to the idea of luxury and relaxation, something we experience little of in our domestic lives.  Whilst we’re certainly an outdoors people, swimming pools aren’t common on the estates of London and Birmingham; despite every outdoor pool from Spain to Sardinia being overtaken by Brits in their socks […]

How to attract bees to your garden using bee friendly plants by Martyn Clayton

As I write this in my little suburban garden I am surrounded by a cloud of bees. They are upon closer inspection bees of all different shapes and sizes, honey bees, solitary bees, leaf cutters and busy bumblebees. The latter always look as if they shouldn’t be able to fly, but as a saying goes […]

‘Pick of the Crop’ – The Heritage Garden at Le Manoir

If you have ever wondered why some people call aubergines ‘egg plants’ you had only to look in Raymond Blanc’s new glasshouse at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons this September. Aubergine ‘White Egg’, a heritage variety, had everyone looking twice. The white aubergines looked just like hen’s egg nestled in the branches! Hartley Botanic’s […]

5 Top Tips for Greenhouse Maintenance by Ewan Michaels

Growing plants is an excellent way to spend time in your garden and to experience the great outdoors in a productive manner. I’ve always been interested in gardening ever since I was a young boy and my father asked for my help in growing some cherry tomato plants. At the time, I wasn’t too keen on vegetables but after […]