MONTY DON

If you know what you’re doing you too could grow juicy oranges and lemons at home – our expert has all the tricks for a bumper crop

RUSSELL LUPIN

The herbaceous lupin, Lupinus polyphyllus, comes from America, where it grows along streams and has loosely set flower spikes of faded pastels. In the 1920s and 1930s, George Russell bred them and his intense colours caused a sensation. Lupins do best in well-drained but not too dry soil and do not like chalk. Deadhead as flowers fade, but don’t cut back too hard. They are shortlived and resent being moved. Although easy to grow from seed, propagation of a particular colour combination is best done by basal cuttings in spring.