Garden Designer, writer, talker, RHS Vice President and skipper of the light fandango.
James Alexander-Sinclair has been judging show gardens in the baking heat at sandy Sandringham and talking to the BBC about how to manage the hosepipe ban, so it's fitting that his three picks for the week help us (and the trees) cope with a hot present and, potentially, an even hotter future.
In order to try and nurse you along the road to blissful gardening here are ten common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Life would be so dull without a little adversity.
Wildlife
From show gardens to skydiving, how beavers went from hats to heroes.
Lawn
No Mow May or perfectly striped lawns? Gardeners debate whether to embrace wild, buzzing meadows or keep the grass neat—find out which side makes the most sense for your patch!
Chelsea Flower Show
How RHS Chelsea moved from Fairisle cardigans to neon vest
Garden history
From tranquil heathland to battlefields—a closer look at the humble fence reveals a tale of invention, conflict, and unintended consequences.
Wildlife
The mischievous charm and antics of rooks: where birdwatching meets folklore and sticks are very important
Garden history
From whirring chainsaws to war-ready platoons, learn how a simple gardening task almost triggered World War III in the most dramatic tree surgery ever attempted.
Bulbs
The unforgettable legends behind garden bulbs - forbidden love, heartbreak, mythology and botany
Plant profile
Naturism is generally a good thing but not if you encounter any of these plants.
Fruit
Discover how Stalin’s unexpected passion for plants became a political power play at the Yalta Conference.
In Conversation
Listen in to a conversation between gardener and author Mary Keen and me, James Alexander-Sinclair.