Some herbaceous perennials are best propagated just after flowering. This includes the familiar bearded iris, whose chunky rhizomes lie flat on the soil. Have a look and you will see that some of the rhizomes bear young fans of leaves at their ends, but no flowers. Take an old carving knife and cut cleanly through the tissue to leave a length of rhizome and a fan of leaves. Use a fork to tease the severed joint gently from the soil, dust the cut surfaces with sulphur and press the new piece into cultivated soil so that it's barely covered.
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Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 picturesPlus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
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Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courtsFrom Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
