Our experts tackle your queries, including brown potatoes, an out-of-control hoya and hordes of hungry muntjacs
Anne Swithinbank
A keen fruit, vegetable and house-plant grower, Anne was formerly the glasshouse supervisor at RHS Garden Wisley.
Matthew Pottage
Matthew is Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy at The Royal Parks.
Pippa Greenwood
Pippa is one of the foremost experts on pests and diseases. She gardens using organic methods.
Q Will next-door’s goat willow strangle my plants?
Caroline, by email
A MATT SAYS Goat willow, known botanically as Salix caprea, is extremely vigorous and shallow rooted, and can be a nuisance on both wet and dry soils. When the plants start to produce seed, they are prolific self-sowers, too.
While they have biodiversity value, it is a very common species and not one that I would want near building foundations, or in an ornamental garden. The shallow roots will forever be in competition with your plants in the summer months for food and water, and if the tree is allowed to grow freely it will most certainly cause some ‘heave’ around your hard landscaping. I’d be pretty sure in suggesting that it would have self-sown itself there, and if it is cut back hard, it will bounce back with great vigour. I would suggest a conversation is in order with regards to its removal.
A ANNE SAYS You have my sympathy, as I once planted cordon-trained apples and pears against a tall fence without checking what was on the other side. A hedge of elm suckers robbed the soil of moisture, so I gave the fruit trees to my brother and planted Mediterranean-style drought-tolerant plants instead.
Both goat willow (Salix caprea) and grey willow (S. cinerea) are known as pussy willows when their catkins open in spring. These are inveterate self-seeders and while I doubt this large shrub was planted on purpose, it has probably been allowed to stay because it attracts lots of bees and other insects.
Willows produce extensive root systems to seek out water and can be a nuisance. Pruning is unlikely to reduce the roots and strong new growth will soon appear. Your best bet is to put your case to your neighbour and hope they will agree to removal.
Q Flowers but no fruit on a potted tree. Pear midge?
Andrew Hobson, Dorset
A PIPPA SAYS Look
