Couples turn gardens into a battlefield

Almost 80 per cent of couples have had a row over their plots, according to a survey.

Researchers for the National Gardens Scheme found that while men prefer formal gardens, with straight paths and tidy edges, women like to create more romantic spaces with winding paths and informal planting. And women like to grow flowers whereas men prefer the lawn.

Fifty-four per cent tried to avoid conflict by having their own areas.