Grower’s digest, January

Your new unpaid gardener
For many, mowing the lawn is little short of a thankless chore. Imagine, then, leaving it to an unpaid gardener who doesn’t need a tea break. Among the best received of the new breed of robot mowers is the Husqvarna Automower 450X (above). The £3,100 price is hefty but think of the joy of watching it navigate tricky terrain while you drink a glass of wine. This is top of the range but there are cheaper options... of the value-for-money models, the Flymo 1200R Robotic Lawnmower, £599.99, does well in consumer tests.

Make like Menton with a citronnier
Head to Menton on the Riviera at this time of year and all the talk is citrus-centric thanks to the annual celebration of all things lemony, the Fête du Citron which begins on February 17. A citronnier is a great addition to any garden or terrace, with some varieties producing four-season flowers and fruit. Its young shoots are often purple in colour and its rather large leaves, evolving from light green to dark green, are very fragrant when rubbed. Your local garden centre such as Truffaut and Jardiland will have a selection for sale.

Alleyways of white lavender

Those unfortunate enough to have had their hedges decimated by a boxwood moth (pyrale du buis) infestation in 2017 may be considering alternative planting for pathways and borders.

Among the more elegant options for those living in the south is white lavender, a nice alternative to the pale purple norm. Choose dwarf varieties for low borders, while standard sized plants should be spaced one metre apart.

Another alternative is santoline, which gives compact, bushy undergrowth, and is commonly used in low and light borders due to its evergreen grey foliage.

Get connected

Garden Tags is a popular phone and tablet application for IOS and Android that allows users to get design inspiration as well practical advice from a large community of connected gardeners. You can keep a virtual photographic journal of what is happening in your own garden and get reminders about pruning, or advice on the best spots for growth. And if you are thinking of going organic, top tips are at hand.

If you have a new garden you can also use the community to help with identifying mystery plants.The app is free and can be used by gardeneres of all abilities and experience.