
Kayleigh Dray
Kayleigh is an enthusiastic (sometimes too enthusiastic!) gardener and has worked in media for over a decade. She previously served as digital editor at Stylist magazine, and has written extensively for Ideal Home, Woman & Home, Homes & Gardens, and a handful of other titles. Now, though, she is leaning into her passion for plants at Gardening Know How.
In her spare time, Kayleigh loves to spend as much time as possible outdoors – not least of all because it helps her tiny tearaway daughters burn off some much-needed energy – so she can usually be found wandering around one of England's National Trust site, traipsing around the lakes near her village, or making mud pies and homemade potions in the garden.
Married to an RHS-trained gardener with a penchant for rescuing unwanted plants, their 'work in progress' backyard has become something of a plant hospital over time: there's usually a sorry-looking bush or shrub being carefully nursed back to good health somewhere (which is why they're extra proud of the stunning laurel hedge at the front of their home – it was nothing but a sickly yellow sprig until they got their hands on it).
Keen to do her bit for local wildlife, Kayleigh makes a point of filling her borders with pollinator-friendly blooms, native fruiting plants, and wildflowers. Her daughters might be tots still, but she's encouraged them to tend to their own herb garden, too – and there is always a fun family project on the go, whether it's crafting a homemade bee water station, mini pond, hedgehog house, bird feeder, seed bomb, or stumpery.
In addition to her gardening know-how, Kayleigh has also written extensively about pop culture and the arts, and she has a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing.
Latest articles by Kayleigh Dray
-
Are You an Early Bird or a Night Owl? The Best Plants to Suit Your Biological ClockWhether you're out in the garden at sunrise or tending your houseplants after dark, there's a plant personality to match your daily rhythm.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
I'm Calling It – These Stackable Mini Greenhouses Are the Chicest Way to Display HouseplantsForget cluttered windowsills! These genius greenhouses turn houseplants into a minimalist display.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Meet Your Birth Month Hummingbird – and the Meaning Behind All 12 HummersEver wondered which hummingbird you’re most like? From personality traits to hidden strengths, your birth month hummer might reveal more about you than you think…
By Kayleigh Dray
-
This Pretty Garden Ornament Is Secretly a Slug TrapA cute ceramic garden decoration? Think again; this is actually a discreet slug trap in disguise, and gardeners swear by it.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Can Crystals Actually Help Your Plants? I Tested My Mother-in-Law’s Quirky Gardening RitualHere’s what happened when I decided to try using crystals on my plants...
By Kayleigh Dray
-
The Best Large Garden Planters for Instant Impact – Even on a Tight BudgetLooking to refresh your outdoor space fast? These oversized planters deliver maximum style with minimal effort (and at surprisingly affordable prices, too!).
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Hummingbirds Adore This Non-Invasive Honeysuckle – Its Fiery Flowers Glow All SummerWith stunning red and orange blooms, this pretty vine offers months of nectar for hummingbirds... and all without any of the usual trouble, too!
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Say Hello to Your Birth Month Bird of Prey – And the Special Meaning Behind Each OneFrom powerful eagles to clever hawks and mysterious owls, your birth month bird of prey might reveal more about your personality than you think...
By Kayleigh Dray
-
This Perennial Is Quietly Replacing Petunias – It's Just as Colorful and Comes Back Every YearPetunias may still be popular, but gardeners looking for a longer-lasting container display are increasingly turning to this Chelsea favorite.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
It's Not Too Late to Plant! These 7 Perennials Will Reward You With Stunning Color Later This SummerThese hardworking perennials still have plenty of time to settle in and put on a beautiful late-summer show.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Biennials Are the Cheat's Way to a Garden Filled With Color and Charm – Sow These 7 NowThese hardworking plants spend their first year building roots and foliage before rewarding gardeners with spectacular blooms the following season.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Fireflies Love This Native Flower – And Its Golden Blooms Light Up Summer GardensFireflies need more than darkness to thrive. And, happily, this cheerful native flower helps create the kind of wildlife-friendly habitat these beloved insects are looking for...
By Kayleigh Dray
-
I've Tried Countless Slow Watering Hacks – These Are the 3 I Trust to Keep Flower Beds ThrivingFrom plastic bottles to ancient clay pots, these are the slow watering methods that have genuinely helped me keep plants hydrated during hot weather – including one my professional gardener husband swears by.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
IKEA’s $79 Cast-Iron Grill Brings Steakhouse Results to Small Patios – It’s Perfect for Summer EveningsSmall enough for patios and gardens, but powerful enough for proper grilling and long, relaxed evenings outside? Obsessed!
By Kayleigh Dray
-
What Your Birth Month Flower Color Says About You – The Special Meaning Behind 12 Floral HuesFrom deep red roses to soft blue cornflowers, your birth month floral color might reveal more about you than you think…
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Do Predator Decoys Really Protect Crops? This One Saved My Strawberries – And It's Now On SalePredator decoys promise to scare off birds – but do they actually work in a real garden? I tested one on my strawberries.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
You Can Still Plant These Vegetables in June – Act Now for a Fast Summer HarvestFrom bush beans to cucumbers, these easy breezy vegetables are perfect for planting in June.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
The Best Time To Water Your Container Garden To Keep Pots Thriving And Blooming All SummerContainer plants dry out quickly in summer heat, but one simple change to your watering routine can keep them thriving all season
By Kayleigh Dray

