Gardening tips and advice Database

Question For the past couple of year my Rhododendron plant has been happily growing in a large tub. This year, however, after it had flowered, it started to lose its leaves. I thought that I would put a small lily in its tub to brighten it up a bit but I am worried now as [...]

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Question Can you supply me with a list of plants mainly trees and shrubs that are resistant to honey fungus? Answer Honey Fungus: There is now almost a standard list of shrubs which appear to be more resistant to the parasite, here is a selection: Acer negundo (Not other Acer species) Ailanthus altissima Bamboo Box [...]

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Question How can I control vine weevils in my pot plants? Answer Vine weevils in pots: There are several ways of controlling them. Tip the plant out of the pot and search for any grubs. These are about 10mm long with a plump creamy/white body and brown head. These need to be removed and destroyed. [...]

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Question Please could you tell me how digitalis has been hybridised and improved over the years? Answer Digitalis or common foxglove: The original species D. purpurea (purple) has been around for a long time in fact there are references to it back in the 13th century. Although it is a British native plant, it also [...]

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Question I live in Northern France. I have a number of geraniums against the walls of our house planted in holes in the paved surround. Is it worth trying to keep them over winter and, if so, how do I protect them against the frost that invariably finishes them off? Am I too late to [...]

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Question I have had an indoor cyclamen for some years; I give it a rest in summer, bring it in & repot in autumn and it flowers well. The trouble is, the crown has become huge – about 4″ across and woody looking. I always leave it on top of the soil so that it [...]

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Question My deciduous magnolia, which is around 10 feet high and trained against a wall, has displayed brown margins around most of its leaves. There are a few holes in the leaves, but not many. No pruning has taken place and it flowered well earlier in the year. Any ideas?. Answer Deciduous Magnolias: I would [...]

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Question I would like to transfer an Hydrangea from my garden into a large pot. What type of potting compost do you recommend and are there any problems that I may encounter?. Answer Hydrangeas: Iin general, because you are restricting the plant to a pot, I would go for a fairly rich free-draining compost, something [...]

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Question I created a lawn in October from seed. Now it has grown, please could you give me some advice on how to maintain it? Answer After the seed has germinated and has grown to 5 cm long it should have the following operation carried out on it – Firstly, you should walk over the [...]

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Question What can I use for the control of pear tree midge? I have tried cultivation below the tree and covering the ground with carpet, but this does not seem to work. Answer Pear tree Midge can be controlled by tar washing the tree in December with murphy tar wash available from most garden centres. [...]

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