Mark Griffiths

What to deadhead and what to leave alone

We delve into the Country Life archive to revisit Mark Griffiths's tips on deadheading — and in particular being careful about what you take and what you leave.

The prehistoric plants that shine indoors and out, with spectacular grandeur, grace and a feel softer than cashmere

Mark Griffiths takes a look at the remarkable Cycas panzhihuaensis, a Chinese cycad with an astonishing story to tell.

The Bogs of Britain, from 'godforsaken wasteland full of dangers' to one of our key tools in tackling climate change

This unique habitat, millennia in the making, provides a home for numerous rare flora and fauna and is, at last, being recognised for its many benefits, says Mark Griffiths.

Why Britain's incomparable sand dunes are 'simultaneously the sands of time past, present and future'

Mark Griffiths takes a look at Britain's sand dunes, our most dynamic landscape, and one to be treasured and protected.

Mark Griffiths: The irises that are fit to be the apple of any gardener's eye

Mark Griffiths takes a look at the famed irises of Japan, and how their influence has been felt to Britain — and back.

The tale of Britain's 52 native orchids, and the 'maverick miscellany of amateur and professional naturalists, painters and writers' who champion them

Mark Griffiths celebrates the 52 species of native British orchids whose extraordinary history and unconventional beauty have beguiled and intrigued both scientists and amateurs.

Mark Griffiths: The joy and consolation of 'Slow Gardening' in this savage yet beautiful spring

The gardener and writer Mark Griffiths has had to unlearn the habit of a lifetime, put his diligence to one side, and embrace a slower approach to tending his garden.

'Unleashed, mad and dangerous': How Britain's wild, romantic moorland is our 'signature habitat', inspiring everything from Beowulf to The Hound of the Baskervilles

Mark Griffiths examines our ancient fear and fascination with ecologically invaluable moorland, of which we have more than any other country in the world, and makes the case for its protection.

Peat takes millennia to generate, and bogs store 10 times more carbon than forests — using it in gardening is madness

Mark Griffiths explains exactly why the continued practice of cutting peat from bogs for use in horticulture must be stopped.

The 'secret flowers' that live for half a millennium, and bloom like nothing else on earth

Mark Griffiths is staggered by the ancient azaleas of Noto which date back to the era of the Shoguns.

Mark Griffiths: How to grow a money plant in your own back garden

The Ash: Is this the last stand for one of Britain's great native trees?

Mark Griffiths celebrates the historic, handsome and irrepressible native ash.

Gardening's oddest minefield: How naming and re-naming plants can send botanists, gardeners and writers into a spin

Mark Griffiths delves in to the world of plant names, unearthing quirky stories, scientific discovery — and an unfortunate case of imbecilic inaccuracy.

Curious Questions: How the Monkey Puzzle tree get its name?

One of the most curious trees you'll see in Britain is also one of the most curiously-named: the Monkey Puzzle tree. But how did it get its name?

The plucky amateur gardener who created 'blue holly', and spawned a trend which stretches the world

Curious Questions: Why do we have poinsettias at Christmas — and why did it get the name 'excrement flower'?

Their bright red leaves brighten up our houses at this time of year, but how did the tradition of having poinsettias at Christmas start? Mark Griffiths explains.

Horticultural marmite: The natural phenomenon which divides gardeners all over Britain

Variegated foliage may be the bread and butter of some gardens, but for some horticulturalists it seems sickly and spoiled.

The saucily-named plant whose very mention sparks blushing and tied tongues

Titter ye not: the splendid Gingo Tit is a compact cultivar with bright autumn foliage and prolific woody growths.

Hydrangeas: Varied, colourful and lovingly tended to by the wizard of White House Farm

Mark Griffiths extols the beauties of this shrub, from its 18th-century beginnings to its revival in the hands of hydrangea champion Maurice Foster.

Deadheading? Don't worry about it too much, or you'll miss out on some fine surprises

Mark Griffiths passes on sage advice about deadheading old plants from one of the greats of gardening — but cautions us all not to be over-dedicated, or you might miss out on some unexpected pleasures.