
Everything, everywhere, all at once
Irises have inspired great artists from Vincent van Gogh to Sir Cedric Morris. Michael Prodger examines the flower’s allure
Green with envy
Why not take a leaf out of Tom Parker Bowles’s book and sample the very best salad flavours from around the world?
Pier into the future
Our seaside piers are the great survivors of the Victorian age and many are thriving in the 21st century, reveals Jonathan Lee

Arts & antiques
It is 500 years since artist Hans Holbein arrived on these shores, yet we remain captivated by his portraits, finds Carla Passino
Louise Farina’s favourite painting
The perfumer senses the zest of an Italian spring morning in a still life celebrating citrus fruit
Country-house treasure
John Goodall sees High Church spirit in a handwritten Bible at Treberfydd House in Brecon

History and fantasy
In the second of two articles, John Goodall delves into the fable-meets-fact history of Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
The legacy
Octavia Pollock adds a dash of colour to the illustrious history of Winsor & Newton, supplier to the stars of the art world
The importance of being Ernst
Ernst Vegelin van Claerbergen, head of the Courtauld Gallery, is optimistic about the future of the Arts, as he tells Carla Passino
Winging it
A beauty or a beast? Mark Cocker investigates how the exotic pheasant splits opinion

Luxury
Jonathan Self explores the royal enthusiasm for amethyst and Amie Elizabeth White weaves in some summer essentials
Interiors
An open-plan makeover wows Arabella Youens, plus perfect pitchers with Amelia Thorpe
Simply perfect
A 20-year revival of the Arts-and-Crafts garden at Fonthill House in Wiltshire catches the eye of Christopher Stocks

Travel
Sophia Money-Coutts savours all the fun of Florida on a trip to the party town of Palm Beach
A new sense of purpose
Robin Hereford is calling for a revival in the fortunes of brown furniture — pieces with style and sustainability on their side
A wrinkle in time
A new generation of American collectors is being charmed by exquisite English antique furniture, discovers Patrick Monahan
Cooking up a storm
Michael Billington is blown away by the RSC’s Tempest starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, but High Society delights without dazzling