PROBLEMS SOLVED
How do I disguise old daffodil leaves? When can I start sowing veg? Read on…
SHRUBS
Q When and how do I prune my viburnum ‘Dawn’?
A Many winter-flowering shrubs are slow growing and need little pruning but viburnum ‘Dawn’ is more vigorous. Once plants reach about four or five years old, you can cut out a few of the oldest stems near the base to keep the whole bush upright and narrow and to remove old, twiggy growth. ‘Dawn’ can produce its fragrant, pink flowers from November until March and the best time to prune is immediately after flowering, which gives the shrub all summer to produce new shoots.
Weed it or feed it?
AThe lifecycle of colchicums is quite unusual. From corms planted in August, flowers bloom in September and October without their leaves, giving rise to the nickname of naked ladies. The leaves remain under the surface and only appear when the soil warms up in spring .
Q Can I control an overgrown photinia ‘Red Robin’?
A Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub with bright new growth. If unpruned it can flower profusely but makes a small tree. For best foliage, prune it in spring and early summer. You can prune it hard this spring – even down to 30cm. Then shorten the strong new shoots when about 1m long to encourage branching. Or you could create a multi-stemmed tree with several rounded heads, regularly pruning it back to the main branches.
Q Why are shoots dying on aucuba?
A Aucubas are tough shrubs that tolerate the dry shade of trees. But they can be damaged by severe winter cold and especially if the soil is waterlogged. This leads to wilting and yellowing of foliage, which later turns black. The past winter has been very wet, which may have caused the problem. Cut out all the affected branches and, in late spring, give a general feed.
QHow should I grow a tree ivy?
ATrue tree ivies are rooted shoots of mature ivy that don’t trail but form slow-growing shrubs. These produce flowers and berries and are useful because they do grow in deep shade. Your plant could also be Fatshedera lizei (pictured) – a hybrid of common ivy and fatsia. This hybrid of a climber and a stout shrub has rather lax stems that flop to form an irregular mass of stems with evergreen leaves.
Q Can we safely add wood ash from our log burner to the compost heap?
A Ash from a log burner, provided it was used to burn untreated wood, is safe to use in the garden. It contains useful potassium, provided it is kept dry before it’s added to the heap, and other nutrients.
PERENNIALS
Q I need lots of plants to fill my new border. Which perennials are best from seed?
A Growing perennials from seed is a great way to fill new borders and allows you to include large drifts of plants and s
