Cotoneasters, a plant gardeners gravely underrate, have performed beautifully this mild ‘non-winter’

An exhibition at Tate explores grand, ornate houses and gardens à la Versailles

The surrealist art of Salvador Dalí is thought to embody all that is unnatural — but, in fact, the natural world is the wellspring of his work

Compost plugs let you bypass seed sowing and are cheaper than bedding plants

Pergolas to pythons: prisoners joined volunteers to create this wildlife haven

Easy tomatoes, beans and lettuce to sow or plug in the garden or on a patio

Our columnist on spring glory

How plants, whether real or in the imagination, help calm fears and enhance our lives

Our columnist on why he has no plans to stop and the changes he has seen

These self-isolating desert fathers were connoisseurs of plants — and human nature

Robin Lane Fox on the best choices to sow now

Investors will be watching Christine Lagarde’s performance amid rising pressure on Italian bonds

It’s hard to find a single trade type who thinks failing to agree an extension is anything but a potential disaster

UK officials urge Brussels to move on three key areas ahead of crucial June meeting or risk breakdown

Germany accounts for half of state aid approved by commission during coronavirus crisis

Foiled €15m scam for face masks shows how organised crime is ‘quick to adapt’, says Ylva Johansson

EU-funded projects are returning migrants to a dangerous conflict zone, critics say

Gove unveils ‘customs agent academy’ and is talking to freight businesses

EU hosts online pledging event but €7.5bn target for vaccines, testing and treatment will only be first step

Pledging conference underscores urgency to develop vaccine and distribute it worldwide

Mistrust is rising over how to implement Brexit

German constitutional court blows open questions about ECB independence and the supremacy of EU law

Bloc faces worst recession in its history as report calls for pan-European recovery plan

EU push to incorporate Paris agreement adds to tension over post-Brexit relationship

Ministers expected to say use of coverings could stop virus spread in some circumstances

Exclusive: Disappointing results revealed in draft documents published accidentally by WHO

Supply chains at breaking point as surge of coronavirus patients with kidney side effects hits supplies

GPs and charities warn patients dying from coronavirus are suffering unnecessarily

Facilities were launched with a fanfare but medics complain they lack equipment for complex Covid-19 cases 

Akeso’s shares surge in Hong Kong as buyers brush off city’s economic downturn

Frail residents in overwhelmed sector emerge as the hidden victims of the Covid-19 crisis

The crisis exposed the system was on a knife edge, but the emergency changes are for the better

Warning of potential harm from tendency to use invasive equipment too quickly

English providers warn of funding shortfall as pandemic adds pressure to sector

Hospital changes and deployment of medical staff to provide specialist care pays off

Studies focus on Bame groups who are over-represented in Covid-19 cases

Indian entrepreneur claims a small group of executives were involved at the hospital group

Routine operations ban to be eased but capacity to handle virus resurgence will remain

Excess body fat seems to matter more than heart or lung disease, or smoking, when it comes to catching the virus

HC-One says rising costs and lower occupancy rates are putting strain on finances 

Finance minister says QIA aims to identify opportunities as asset prices plunge

Killings in Dera’a province are testing Syrian leader’s alliance with Russia

Demonstrators defy coronavirus lockdown and set fire to banks amid mounting currency crisis and joblessness

Kingdom battles to protect economy in face of oil rout and fallout from pandemic

Pompeo insists Washington is still participant of accord despite 2018 withdrawal

Tala al-Jabri is among a rising number of female professionals in the kingdom

International financial support at risk as leading figures fight over economic crisis

Successful leadership depends on context, collaboration and character

Although the recruiter is resilient to downturns, it is not immune to them

Asset management leadership also changed in reshuffle at Swiss lender