Innholdsfortegnelse for 8-Dec-2018 i Amateur Gardening

DECORATING the house for Christmas is one of the highlights of the season. As well as the tree, which is usually the focal point, there are also lots of beautiful natural decorations that be made from evergreen foliage, seedheads and berries foraged from your garden. Whether you buy a ready-cut tree or bring a potted one indoors for the duration, there are certain things you need to bear in mind. If you are buying a cut tree, decide which variety you are after and which fits your price bracket (see panel, right). Ideally, select a tree that hasn’t already been netted so you can see its size and shape and check how healthy it is. Avoid any that are already starting to droop or lose needles – one good way…

If you intend to bring your live, potted tree indoors for the celebrations, keep it indoors for as short a time as possible. Ideally, move it in the weekend before Christmas and take it back outside after 12 days. Leave it any longer and the central heating will cause it to droop. Site it in a cool room, away from direct heat. If it starts to look unhappy, return it to the garden. Either plant it in a border or keep it in a pot to limit its size. Pine needles make a mulch for acid-loving plants such as azaleas.…

Check your forced bulbs, and if the shoots are 1-2in (4-5cm) long bring them into a cool, light room away from direct sunlight. Keep them away from direct sources of heat and encourage a humid atmosphere by standing the bowls on saucers of damp gravel. If the leaves quickly outstrip the flower buds, return them somewhere cool and dark for a day or two to slow their growth. My bulbs aren’t quite ready to come into the light yet, and some roots have started to show above the compost, so I top-dressed with more bulb fibre, dampened the compost and returned the bulbs to the dark for a few more days.…

Don’t ignore your tender plants just because you think they are safe in a frost-free greenhouse or porch. In mild winters, tender perennials will keep growing and may even form flower buds. Pinch out any buds and remove new leaves so the plant doesn’t waste precious energy. Never feed in winter and only water if they start to droop. Citrus trees, however, do need feeding through winter. Drip-feeders are a no-nonsense way of giving them the nutrients they need, or you can give a liquid feed when you water. Never overwater – wait until the compost is almost dry.…

WHILE watching a floral artist demonstrating his skills at the Trade Fair Aalsmeer 2018 in the Netherlands, I asked why all the leaves were stripped from the stems. He told me the eye had to be attracted and focused on the flower, and while leaves were fine in the garden, they were a distraction in his works of art. “Thousands of perfect rose blooms on metre-long stems” While I accepted his explanation, I must say I hate to see lovely healthy leaves removed and stout stems cut back to stumps – even worse when cut flowers are hung upside down. When time and skill have been spent growing a flower well, I like to see it complete and in a natural position. This Trade Fair held every November is a…

Until 29 Dec: (Thursdays-Saturdays) Glow: RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr 7-9: Christmas Gift Fair: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8ET. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall 7-9: Magic of Christmas with Santa: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8ET. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/hydehall 8: Make a Traditional Christmas Wreath: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor 12: Explore Rosemoor’s Woodlands: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor 15: Seasonal Wreath making: Cambo Estate Gardens, Cambo House, Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 8QD. 01333 450313 15-16: The Magic of Christmas: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH.…

WE grow three apple varieties and this year we’ve had a brilliant crop. The varieties are the aromatic D’Arcy Spice (Essex – pre-1818), a golden russet evocatively named ‘Pitmaston Pine Apple’ (Worcestershire – 1785) and the cooker-eater ‘Blenheim Orange’ (Oxfordshire – 1818). We didn’t go for heritage deliberately. I just loved the flavour of these varieties and, as they all keep well, I gave them a go. My trees are 12 years old now, but I nearly took the ‘Blenheim Orange’ out because it hadn’t produced a crop in the ten years it’s been in the garden. It must have heard me muttering, for this year it was so loaded it broke a branch. I’ve found out since that ‘Blenhiem Orange’ is very slow to produce its first crop. This,…

1 Decide where your runner beans are to crop (they like a sunny site out of strong winds) and if you’re going to grow them in a circle or a row. Dig a trench 10-12in (25-30cm) deep and (for a row) 3ft (90cm) wide and 8ft (2.4m) long or (for a circle) 4ft (1.2m) wide. 2 Take a wheelbarrow down to your compost heap and dig out some well-rotted material (it doesn’t matter if there are a few distinguishable pieces in it still to rot down, as these will decompose later). Tip it into the base of the trench and fork it over well. 3 Make the layer of compost a good 5in (13cm) thick, then bury it with the excavated soil. Over the next few months the compost will…

WHILE the likes of basil, dill and mint yield abundant harvests on the plot throughout summer and autumn, they either get killed off by the cold or die back underground during these chillier months. But does that mean your culinary flair has to take a hit in winter? Not for one second, because there are loads of evergreen herbs just waiting to throw a flavour punch your way. Whether you grow them in pots or plant them directly into free-draining soil, the likes of sage, rosemary, thyme, bay and parsley will keep on bearing leaves for the kitchen all winter long. You can grow all these in pots near the back door, so the bracing dash to harvest a sprig or two is kept to a minimum – just use…

Annual pruning is vital to keep your roses healthy (see box, opposite). Regular feeding with a rose fertiliser in spring will ensure these strong-growing plants continue to thrive. Mulch with weed-free organic matter after feeding; this will smother weeds and provide minor nutrients. Keep an eye out for suckers that develop from the rose’s roots; remove as soon as they appear. Deadhead regularly to promote continuous flowering. Water thoroughly if necessary (plants on walls can become unexpectedly dry). Moist soil also helps prevent mildew. Beware of aphids and mildew – any treatment is better than none.…

Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ AGM A late summer/early autumn flowering perennial with pure-white blooms on tall, wiry stems. Good for shady corners. Plant ferns around the base to create a verdant froth of foliage. H&S: 4ft (1.2m). Asarum europaeum AGM Low and slow-growing, with glossy dark-green, heart-shaped leaves and tiny inconspicuous brown flowers in spring. Good ground cover in a shady spot, the rounded foliage contrasts well with ferns. HxS: 6inx1ft (15x30cm). Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ AGM Featuring panicles of pale-green flowers in July that gradually fade to ivory-white before taking on autumnal flushes of pink. Happy in full sun or part shade, in most well-drained soils. HxS: 5x6 1/2ft (5x7ft). Hosta ‘Patriot’ AGM The bold-green, ribbed leaves…

DO Trim off any damaged roots or branches. DON’T Leave plants in bundles – heat can build, scorching stems. DO Soak roots in water for an hour prior to planting. DO Plant at the same level as the ‘high-tide’ mark on stems. DON’T Add fertiliser when planting – this can burn roots. DON’T Bend roots to fit your planting hole; instead, make the hole wider, if necessary. DO Water well and mulch after planting. Then water regularly – plants are vulnerable until established. DON’T Plant if the ground is frozen or waterlogged. DO ‘Heel in’ plants if planting is delayed. To do so, dig a trench with a sloping side and lay plants so roots are below soil level. Backfill, firm and water really well.…

SOME argue that digging the soil is unnecessary, but many find the process both beneficial and therapeutic. I dig my allotment every autumn, turning in annual weeds, breaking up clods and loosening the soil. It’s also good to dig in well-rotted manure. The exercise is great and the result is refreshing, but it is heavy work. Using a spade that fits your stature makes the job a lot easier. A long handle will suit taller people, improving leverage, but will be a problem for shorter gardeners who will be reaching too high for the handle. The weight of a spade, its strength and flexibility are also issues. A little weight helps when digging heavy soil, and slight flexibility as you’ll find in wooden-handled tools help to absorb shocks. Spear &…

4 December 1954 Hugh Armytage Moore, creator of Rowallane Garden, Co Down, died. Now in the hands of the National Trust, the garden is noted for its rhododendron and azalea collections. 5 December 1886 Constance Spry was born in Derby. She became the person credited with making flower arranging popular in the early 20th century – she also invented the dish known as coronation chicken! 5 December 1905 Henry Eckford died. A Scotsman, he became the person credited with making sweet peas popular. The Shropshire town of Wem (his adopted home) holds a competition each year for classes of sweet peas bred by him. 6 December 1908 A sale of 2,468 cases of imported Japanese lilies was held at Cheapside auctions in London. 7 December 1817 Captain William Bligh, master…

1 Check for shrivelled, dead roots and brown leaves, caused by overwatering, dry air in warm rooms, or old compost that has started to rot. 2 Feed healthy, actively growing orchids with orchid fertiliser, or quarter-strength general-purpose feed at every other watering or so. Mist feeds are useful. 3 Potting on is usually carried out in spring and when plants are not flowering, to replace decaying, water-retentive compost. Remove old compost and trim dead and long roots. 4 Pot the plants back in the same (cleaned) or slightly larger container using special orchid compost. Aerial roots that grew outside the pot should stay outside. Prune roots shorter rather than trying to fold them in.…

1 Nordmann fir: The most popular variety of cut tree. Its dense, lush needles are slow to drop, though it doesn’t have much scent. 2 Norway spruce: The traditional tree with narrow branches and needles that are prone to falling. They smell wonderful! 3 Blue spruce: An elegant tree with attractive blue-grey foliage. The needles are long, and can be sharp, so take care! 4 Fraser fir: The tree shape is lean, rather than bulky, but the needles are dense and the scent is rich and warm. 5 Douglas fir: Popular in America, this tree has a lovely lemony scent and soft, dark green or blue-green needles.…

1 Carefully cut away the plastic pot or, if the tree is in a clay container, stand the whole thing in water to loosen the roots. 2 Tease out any roots that are constricted or circling the rootball to make it easier for the plant to take up nutrients and water. 3 Plant it at the same depth as the rootball, using John Innes No2 or No3 compost with added grit for improved drainage. 4 Water the tree well while it gets established and add a layer of mulch to suppress weeds and feed the roots.…

1 While the plants are standing in water, add drainage crocks and multi-purpose compost to the pot. 2 Tease out the roots of the central plant and place it in the pot at the same depth as its rootball. 3 Add the remaining plants around the side, loosening the roots and taking care not to damage them. 4 Infill with more compost and firm it down. If there are gaps, the plants will soon grow to fill them. 5 Water the container well and let it drain through properly before bringing the pot inside.…

DAYS when it’s blowing a hoolie and the rain hits you sideways are meant for hiding in the shed and sorting your tools. Quality equipment doesn’t come cheap and takes quite a battering over the course of a busy year, so you need to look after it. Remove soil from those tools used for digging and forking, then sharpen your spade blades and slide them through a bucket of oily sand. This leaves an oily sheen on the metal and helps prevent rusting. Cutting tools need to be wiped over with a damp cloth to remove any residual dirt and sap. I use antibacterial soap to get rid of any residual pests and fungal spores. Sharpen the blades, oil the mechanisms and store the tools somewhere dry. Use these quieter…

1 There are now pollen-free double gerbera cultivars acceptable for enclosed areas used by hay fever sufferers. 2 Stout stems and large, healthy leaves are a clear sign of quality. Such flowers are likely to last longer when cut and arranged in water. 3 One or two tulip flowers in a vase allows the full beauty of each bloom to be appreciated. Treat tulips and roses in deep water up to the neck for a few hours before placing in the vase to prevent drooping. 4 Cut Amaryllis in bud make a great gift when they open up into huge eye-catching flowers.…

WITH all the rush of seasonal festivities going on, it’s easy to forget how close next year’s growing season is. There’s a sort of mind-block on anything after the New Year, and we kind of think it’s all over for the moment. However, it is important to get your orders in as soon as you can for there is not a lot of time left before you need those first seeds, sowing compost, and onion and potato sets. Admittedly, if you order now, the delays in the Christmas post may mean you do not get those goods until the New Year, but then at least you will have them. There is another very good reason for ordering now and that is to get what you want. Some of the newer…

FOR some veg crops, success is all about laying down the right foundations. While the likes of radishes and salad leaves might germinate, grow and be harvested in a flash, others are in it for the long-term, and runner beans belong to the latter group. Sown in April, these vigorous plants will keep on cropping from July until November if they’re looked after properly – so that’s a lot of beans! The key to their longevity is to develop a strong, extensive root system so they can carry a sizeable crop even in the midst of summer droughts and autumn chills. As gardeners, we can encourage this by getting their planting bed prepared now, to encourage maximum root growth. Here’s what you can do (see right). Next Week: Don’t mulch,…

IT’S a classic garden scene: roses around the door. From Victorian paintings of idyllic cottage gardens to show gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and plots in our city suburbs, British gardeners have an irresistible urge to plant a rose next to the front door. Sometimes it works beautifully, but sometimes – well… not so much. Ultimately, it all comes down to choosing the right variety and growing (and pruning) it in the right way. Roses are ideal in other situations, too, bringing colour and fragrance to fences and walls, arches and pillars. But to grow around the door, or pretty much anywhere in today’s smaller gardens, you will definitely need a climber, rather than a rambler. Climbing roses have large flowers – single or double – opening over…

CLIMBING versions of bush roses are a useful sub-group of climbing roses, and are well worth looking out for. Of these, ‘Climbing Iceberg’ (white) and ‘Climbing Cécile Brünner’ (pink) stand out, along with ‘Climbing Étoile de Hollande’ (red) and ‘Climbing Lady Hillingdon’ (apricot/yellow). All have AGMs. To avoid disappointment, the important thing is to double check when you’re shopping – if you want the climbing form, you need to make sure you order the climbing form.…

Peonies are unfussy and grow well in most good, moist, well-drained soils including improved clay. An open, sunny position brings the most flowers, but on thin, dry soils, light shade will help plants withstand droughts. Plant with the crown buried by no more than 1in (2.5cm). On poor soil, add bone meal at planting and general-purpose fertiliser every spring. Mulch with well-rotted organic matter over the roots, but never the crown. Should a peony lose vigour after 8-10 years, lift and divide the crown in autumn, replanting sections that hold at least three growth buds each. They may take two or three years to begin flowering again. If flowering is poor, perhaps the crown is buried too deeply, it is too shaded, there is competition from nearby plants, the soil…

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum AGM The elegant, grey-green fronds of the deciduous Japanese painted fern feature striking silver and purple markings. Good in container displays with heucheras. Needs neutral-to-acid, reliably moist soil. H&S: 20in (50cm). Dryopteris erythrosora AGM Also known as the autumn fern; copper-coloured fronds emerge in spring, then fade to green before russet tones return in autumn. Semi-evergreen, it can cope with some sun as long as the soil stays moist. HxS: 2ftx16in (60x40cm). Polystichum setiferum ‘Herrenhausen’ A very pretty variety of our native soft shield fern. The evergreen lacy fronds make delicate mounds of foliage. Lovely at the edge of a shady border, and good in containers. H&S: 20in (50cm). Matteuccia struthiopteris AGM The shuttlecock…

The Victorians collected ferns with such fervour that native populations were decimated – the Killarney fern (Trichomanes speciosum), for instance, is now one of the rarest ferns in Europe and is protected under UK and EU legislation. The sites where it grows are shrouded in secrecy. Plant collecting remains a threat to native ferns. In 2000 a hybrid spleenwort fern was removed from a wall in Leek, Staffordshire; it was the only known plant of its type in Britain at the time.…

How should I clear my allotment? QI have just taken on an overgrown allotment. We are not allowed bonfires and I don’t have a car to make trips to the local green waste site, so how should I get rid of the weeds? Jennifer Chilvers, via email A Could you put part of the allotment aside as a compost heap or rubbish area? Perennial weeds are difficult to compost because their roots regenerate from the smallest part, but if put in bags or a container that excludes all light they will rot down and make nice compost. Cut them up to speed the decaying process and occasionally turn the heap or empty and refill the bags so that the bacteria and fungi doing all the work are distributed throughout. You…

Wilkinson Sword Stainless Steel Digging Spade £29.99 with free delivery 01869 363635 wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk Features Weatherproof ash shaft and handle with ‘D’ grip. Shaft riveted to stainless-steel socket and blade. Blade has slim treads. Weight 4lb 7oz (2.018kg). Blade 11x7in (28x18cm). Overall length 40in (102cm). Performance This short-handled spade is noticeably light. It has a pronounced swan neck. The wooden shaft and handle offer a secure grip – the rivets and socket edge merge seamlessly into the shaft. The tread is quite narrow, and I tended to use the ball of my foot to push. The blade slices in cleanly and soil stick is not a problem. It picks up a nice spit that is very controllable – it’s easy to flip it over to bury weeds. Value Good…

During winter, natural food sources are hard to find for garden birds so they need a helping hand to survive. Peckish Winter Warmer Extra Energy Seed Mix is packed with ingredients high in energy and fat content. There are nine different ingredients and the seed contains 20% oil for essential winter energy. We have two prizes of a 1.7kg pack of Peckish Winter Warmer Extra Energy Seed Mix to give away, each worth £4.99. See below for details of how to enter the prize draw. How to enter Send your name and address on the back of a postcard to Peckish Winter Warmer Seed Mix Draw (8 December), Amateur Gardening, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 7BF. Or you can email your details to ag_giveaway@ti-media.com, heading the email Peckish…

Blooming marvellous HERE in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, I have blooming: marigolds, roses, fuchsias, snapdragons, rudbeckia, carnations, polyanthus, hollyhock ( just the one), evening primrose, verbascum – and fruiting strawberries from 12-year-old plants that I planted just to enjoy the flowers. I ate four this morning! Now that I’m planning for next year, I planted eight sweet pea seeds in cardboard toilet-roll centres, as suggested in AG . They all germinated and are now 12in (30cm) tall. I put the tubes onto a flower pot as you had stressed that sweet peas like to make long roots. What do I do now? I do not have a greenhouse, just an outbuilding. Mary Pollard, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset Wendy says Fantastic! Overwinter your seedlings in the outbuilding if it’s well lit, otherwise place at…

THE drawer in our utility room is so full of old keys, toys and impedimenta that it barely opens. But we keep it, just in case a crisis calls for a bent paperclip and half a pack of cards! You might not have such a drawer (go on, treat yourself!) but if you garden, then you’re bound to have the outdoor equivalent – a sentimental stash of plastic pots stuffed behind the shed or under the greenhouse bench. We keep them because they might come in handy, and it’s amazing how quickly their numbers build – especially after a planting project. Yet most are superfluous to requirements and just end up collecting cobwebs. “You’re bound to have a sentimental stash of pots” What annoys me is the ridiculous number of…

1 All you need for a simple decoration is some evergreen garden foliage, seedheads and berries, a container, candle, ribbon and gold spray paint. 2 Set the candle in the container, anchoring it with glue or sand, then twine the foliage and berries around the side. 3 Cover the base of the decoration with coloured glass chips, spray with gold or silver paint and tie a ribbon around the side. 4 Never leave any lit decoration unattended and keep it away from children, pets and flammable materials and liquids. Festive fare: In next week’s AG (in the shops 11 December) I take a look at edible Christmas delights you can make from your own garden.…

I ALWAYS like to have a bit of extra colour around the house in winter, especially once the lights and fripperies of the festive season have been packed away again. A container packed with colourful plants is always a winner and will keep on giving joy if you use varieties that can be potted on or even planted outside afterwards. For not much more than a large bunch of cut flowers, you can create a pot that will last many times as long and could also be given away as a gift. For my container I am mixing a small peace lily with a couple of gem-bright cyclamen, a grass for texture and contrast, and a pungent lemon verbena that releases a gorgeous scent when you rub its leaves in…

BY this point in December you should already have the necessary weatherproofing in place for your plants. However, keep checking it is still adequate, and in place, especially after storms The weather often turns colder as winter progresses, making January and February the most dangerous months. You may have so far got away with not doing much to keep more tender and vulnerable plants safe, but it is worth acting now before you get caught up in Christmas activities. Less hardy border plants such as agapanthus should be mulched with dry sand or straw, with an added cloche if very harsh weather is forecast. Container plants, trees and shrubs should be moved somewhere sheltered (against a house wall out of the prevailing wind), then mulched and bubblewrapped. Permanent plants in…

I PLANTED our onion sets a few weeks ago, but I am also sowing some seeds to extend cropping. Although sets (small onions) are popular because they are an easy way of starting a crop, they don’t always offer you as wide a range of varieties as seeds. The seeds should be sown in trays or modules of fresh, dampened seed compost. Although they are small, try to sow them roughly 1/2in (1cm) apart or 1-2 seeds per module, so the developing plants have enough room. Germinate the seeds somewhere light and frost-free, and prick out the seedlings into larger pots when the are big enough to handle safely. Grow them on and plant them out in spring when the soil is starting to warm up. They will need hardening…

IF you want to help to protect our embattled bees and give an unusual but useful present to a nature-lover, this exclusive AG offer will be right up your street. MasonBees UK has set up a ‘Bee Guardian’ scheme to help reverse the declining number of mason bees, a solitary, non-stinging species known for its ‘awesome’ pollinating abilities. To take part (or sign someone else up) you pay a one-off fee and are sent all the necessary bee-nurturing equipment, nesting tubes and instructions. Mason bee cocoons are sent out in spring and the bees emerge, pollinate your garden and nest in the tubes. At the end of summer, any nesting tubes that have been capped with mud and contain bee larvae are returned to the company free of charge. They…

1 Oil or grease latches, catches, hinges, locks and sliders on greenhouses and sheds so they can still move if frozen. 2 Colder weather makes the rubber tyres of wheelbarrows harder (and more difficult to push) as the pressure gets less, so add more air. 3 On bright days use a long cane to knock off mummified apples and other fruits, thus preventing these infecting future crops. 4 Use shrivelling stored apples before they go over. Turn them into apple purée as it’s useful in all sorts of Christmas dishes.…

IT’S planting season for fruit growers, and establishing a new fruit tree is exciting – but it’s also important to get it right. Fruit trees will yield for 40-50 years if well looked after. So, how best to do it? First, choose the right site. Most tree fruits want sun and shelter (because they flower early in the year, frost pockets should be avoided). Free-draining yet moisture-retentive soil is also preferred. Achieve this by digging a good 3in (8cm) layer of compost into the top 8in (20cm) of soil. The site should be free from perennial weeds (bindweed, couch grass and ground elder) because these are a swine to remove once your tree is established. To plant, dig a hole that’s at least as deep and twice as wide as…

DID you have major successes and epic failures this growing season? Most fruit and veg gardeners have certain spectacular crops and a few disasters every year, which is partly due to the ebb and flow of weather conditions. Occasionally, though, it can be due to our growing skills and this is where we need to modify the way we cultivate specific crops. Did you think your parsnips were puny, did your lettuce harvest come all in one glut, were your peas blasted by mildew before they had a chance to bear pods? These are all examples of where sowing dates can be tweaked, so check back on your records and adjust timings accordingly. No records to check? Put a notebook on your Christmas wish list!…

Before you plant, get trellis, wires or other supports in place across the entire area you want your new rose to eventually cover. Climbing roses prefer full sun, but will also grow well on east and west-facing fences. However, they will not be happy in overhead shade. Most soils are suitable, although all will benefit from the addition of some well-rotted humus. Prepare a large area of soil, making sure to remove any perennial weeds: your climbing rose is going to be in place for a long time and will develop an extensive root system.…

Regular pruning is essential to keep your climbing roses to a manageable size, and to encourage flowering. It’s easier than you think – just follow these simple guidelines: Don’t let new shoots from the base simply grow and grow. Snip out the tips at about 2ft (60cm); this will encourage branching from the base. Spread out and tie in new shoots as they develop. Shoots can be brittle so tie them in carefully. Cut back shoots growing directly away from their supports. February or early March is usually the best time for regular pruning, just as the new buds are starting to burst. On mature plants, occasionally cut back an old branch by half – or at the base – to encourage new and more productive growth to cover the…

‘Duchesse de Nemours’ With lily-of-the-valley scent and white flowers creamy-yellow at the centre, this double white is one of the best for garden and vase. ‘Nancy Nora’ Large, sweetly scented double blush-pink blooms, fading almost to white as they age. Upright stems are great for cutting. ‘Monsieur Jules Elie’ Arching stems of large double pink blooms with a strong rose perfume are a feast for the eyes in the garden or a vase. ‘Myrtle Gentry’ Excellent fragrance, upright stems and shapely pink blooms fading to a creamy confection are the hallmarks of this peony.…

• Before planting, incorporate organic matter such as well-rotted compost and leafmould. • Keep well watered in the first year after planting. Water at the base to avoid rotting the fern’s crown. • Every spring, mulch around the base with leafmould or compost, taking care not to cover the plant. • Cut away dead fronds in spring. • For container planting use a mix of 3:1:1 parts multipurpose compost, John Innes No3 and gritty sand. • A weak liquid seaweed feed is perfect for container-grown ferns.…

QI saw this unusual caterpillar in the summer – what is it, please? Jerry Gwyn, Ludlow, Shropshire A This is the caterpillar of an elephant hawk moth. When it feels threatened it rears up and resembles an elephant’s head. Its eyespots deter predators. A native of Europe, the caterpillars and adult moths can be found in woody areas, on grassy banks and in gardens. They eat fuchsias and other plants, but not enough to do any real damage. Q Please can you identify this shrub for me? Mrs Brenda Tunstall, Haywards Heath, West Sussex A This is probably salal or shallon ( Gaultheria shallon ), a North American plant that treats us to a display of pinkish-white flowers in late spring and early summer. It is a splendid drought resister.…

Hellebores to delight We are at the start of the hellebore flowering season. From now until next summer, our gardens will be adorned with blooms from pure white through stages of pink and red, to purple and brown – with bright flecks, spots and even bright-green flowers in the mix. The helleborus genus comprises some 20 species of herbaceous or evergreen perennials. Let’s look at some of the stories surrounding them. The scientific name helleborus derives from the ancient Greek: heleîn means ‘to injure’ and borá means ‘food’, alluding to the fact that many species of hellebore are poisonous. Lenten roses Despite names such as winter rose, Christmas rose and Lenten rose, hellebores are not closely related to the rose family at all. Without question, the most popular hellebores for…

How do I grow indoor orchids? Q Indoor orchids bought in bloom never seem to re-flower for me. I have rows of them, just sitting there, and am really struggling to get them to be more proactive. Please can you help? Susan Dunlop, Liverpool A Orchids are intriguing plants and maybe we’ve inherited a little ‘Orchidelirium’ from our Victorian ancestors, who coveted the rare and beautiful. Back in the 1800s, orchid hunters were sent to secret locations and raided plants from the wild for their rich clients. Now the plants we grow are mostly hybrids. They start their life in test tubes, are nursery-grown and affordable. Like any flowering plant brought to perfection for point of sale, orchids need input if they are to repeat the performance. The Victorian collectors…

FOR me, the most useful containers are 3 1/2in (9cm) squares and two-litre round pots. The 9cm pots are just the job for seeds, cuttings and pricking-out seedlings. Also, being square, they guide the roots to the corners so that even if plants aren’t potted on, they don’t become root-bound (filled with a spaghetti of circling roots that don’t establish well in the soil). The ‘9s’ are also the ideal size for veg as they plant easily with a trowel. The two-litre pot is the next size up, so is ideal for raising larger flowers or big veg like courgettes.…