Sophie King
Sophie joined the Ideal Home team as Gardens Editor in June 2024. Her love of writing began as a child – spending a lot of her free time crafting fairytales or writing up wildlife projects.
After studying English at Royal Holloway, University of London, Sophie began writing for Grow Your Own magazine, which spurred on her love of gardening.
Sophie's tried growing almost every vegetable under the sun, and has a soft spot for roses and dinner plate dahlias. Her favourite rose variety is ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ and she loves 'Café au Lait’ dahlias. She's also a big fan of houseplants, especially orchids – she finds it impossible to resist adding more to her collection when visiting her local garden centre!
Sophie has interviewed a myriad of incredible gardening experts throughout her career, including guest stars on The Dirt, the gardening podcast she co-hosted during her time at Grow Your Own.
As Gardens Editor, Sophie's always on the lookout for the latest garden trend. She loves sharing growing hacks for every space, from herbaceous borders to compact balconies.
When she hasn't got her hands in the soil, Sophie can be found curled up on the sofa with her cat and a good book.
IDEAL HOME TRUTHS
Where’s your happy place?
At the end of my garden, there’s a gravelled area that’s secluded behind a trellis screen with a swinging bench. It’s incredibly comfortable, and I love lounging out there in the evening, surrounded by cosy festoon lights. Honeysuckle grows along the trellis and puts out a beautiful scent when it’s in bloom during the summer, too.
What’s your home addiction?
Orchids! I’ve been obsessed with them since I was a teenager, and they make a lovely feature in my bedroom. I’m especially fond of the light pink Dendrobium varieties.
What is your next home project?
I want to continue working on my bedroom. There’s a wall I’d love to make a feature out of with some nice wallpaper, so I’ll be hunting through the catalogues to find the right design.
Latest articles by Sophie King
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5 houseplants that can replace a Christmas tree – with styling tips from indoor plant experts
You can decorate these houseplants like a Christmas tree
By Sophie King
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How to prune forsythia – the all-important task to tackle to guarantee spring flowering
It's the key to vibrant blooms
By Sophie King
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Best Christmas houseplants – 5 plants that bloom over the festive period for cheerful indoor displays
Looking for plants that flower over Christmas? Right this way...
By Sophie King
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When is the first frost in my area? Use these tools so you can plan ahead before temperatures drop
By Sophie King
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When to stop planting spring bulbs – this is what skipping the autumn window means for future blooms
When is it too late to plant spring bulbs?
By Sophie King
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Do perennials need to be protected from frost? Some do – and leaving them unprotected could spell disaster for your plants
These are the perennials that need protecting over the winter
By Sophie King
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Can you protect plants from frost with bubble wrap? It works, but you'll need to use it the right way
It's a popular frost protection method, but how effective is it?
By Sophie King
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Where is the best place to plant snowdrops? How to choose the best location for sweeping spring displays
Wondering where to plant snowdrops? Here's what the experts say...
By Sophie King
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How to save pumpkin seeds for planting and grow next year's Jack-o'-lanterns for free
Preparations for next Halloween start now...
By Sophie King
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The best shrubs for full sun – grow these plants in a sunny spot to unleash their full potential
These shrubs thrive in the sunshine
By Sophie King
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The best autumn-flowering shrubs – squeeze some extra blooms into the year with these beautiful options
More flowers? At this time of the year? Yep.
By Sophie King
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These are the best fruit trees for a small garden, say gardening experts – and what to look out for when buying them
Tight on space? There's a fruit tree for that...
By Sophie King
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5 easiest fruit trees to grow for low-effort harvests year after year
Perfect for beginners and experts alike
By Sophie King
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Best shrubs for pots – 6 top picks for beautiful blooms and foliage, recommended by gardening experts
Looking for container inspiration? These are the shrubs you need to try
By Sophie King
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5 common overwintering mistakes to avoid if you want your plants to survive the colder months
Guard against these errors if you want your plants to bounce back next spring
By Sophie King
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5 plants you should cut back in winter to promote better growth next year
Shape up your winter pruning plan
By Sophie King
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Experts warn you shouldn't leave soil bare over the winter – this is how to prepare it for the colder months
Earlier spring sowings and fewer weeds? Yes, please!
By Sophie King
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How to get your garden ready for winter – 8 tasks to add to your list before the first frost arrives
Get your garden into gear before temperatures drop
By Sophie King
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How to style outdoor fairy lights like Nigella Lawson – the secret to her whimsical garden setup
We're in love with this magical garden look
By Sophie King
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October lawn care tips – 5 tasks to do before the temperature drops
Give your lawn a boost before winter arrives
By Sophie King
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What to plant in October – the best flowers, fruit and vegetables for a productive winter garden
There's still lots to sow this month
By Sophie King
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Experts issue shed rot warning – 3 ways to protect your garden buildings over the winter
Here's our guide to preventing shed rot
By Sophie King
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How to grow sedums for low-maintenance borders – they’re a hit with pollinators
Learn how to grow these vibrant succulent plants
By Sophie King
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5 of the easiest spring bulbs to grow in pots – plant these for beautiful spring displays
Here are our favourites
By Sophie King