Flowers

My Dahlias and Rudbeckia have all been knocked to the ground. I will have to cut them all back now as I would have done after 1st frost. Will this have adverse effect on next year’s blooms. Also should I lift and store the dahlia tubers now or leave them until frost arrives?. I’m sure … read more

I tried to sow Creeping Thyme as grass alternative last August. I dug few inches off the existing clay soil, I added chicken manure and one layer of compost, 10-15cm of westland nutrient rich top soil, then seeds mixed with sand all around the garden but it wouldn’t germinate (weeds are doing great though…!). I … read more

When should i divide my enormous clump of crocosmia lucifer which has finished flowering?

I have freesias growing in a window box in the greenhouse. They flowered during the summer but have died down now, except for one. What do I do with them over the winter? Should I replant them in new compost and leave them in the greenhouse?

I unknowingly put in spreading/creeping bamboo into my garden. I now want to completely eradicate it! Last spring I removed it but it came back . I then used round up, the old strong stuff. It killed the leaves but not the roots and now I have more regrowth again. Through this soil there are … read more

This is the plant I’m trying to identify

Should I cut day lilies back after they flower?

I have a peony rose in my garden for a good few years and it always flowered until last year and this year when I had plenty of leaves but no flowers what is the reason for this I include photo.

I downsized to a smaller house 4 years ago. My garden is a raised bed going fully around end house. One side just gets morning sun. Other side then gets sun later in day, I am so disappointed this year. All my clematis have wilted and gone rotten. I seem to have no colour.. Can … read more

While walking by Carlingford Lough I came across this singular plant. It was growing in thick undergrowth and seemed out of place on its own. Could you please identify it for me? Picture attached.

Is it possible to transplant foxgloves into my hedge row? It would be similar environment. They are just starting to lose their flowers now. The same applies for some beautiful ferns and primroses?

Foxglove not looking too good, but I can’t find what’s eating it. Anything I can do now to improve things?

I put quite a lot of unidentified plants in my garden and while doing a bit of weeding today I found this plant. Can you tell me what it is please?

I had a new tree fern planted in January. Unfortunately I was away for 2 weeks during recent dry spell & all the ferns wilted! I have watered well & new ferns are growing Should I cut away old ferns & should I feed now?

How should i be watering my peonies now they are starting to flower?

Please could you help me identify this seedling.. The pot’s label lost its print !! Jane,

I appreciate if you could let me know as what kind of flowers is possible to grow in Dublin/Ireland?I am looking to grow more exotic flowers such as Gladiola, birds of Paradise, Calla Lilly, Lilly of the valley rather than the more common one in Ireland I have no experience in Gardening or growing flowers … read more

Crocosmia has taken over my garden. Pulling up the bulbs seems to encourage it. Has it become another invasive species in the west of Ireland? What”s the best way to get rid of it? I use old carpets to smother weeds but would need acres of it to get rid of this pest.

I live in mid Kerry. I have a huge Gunnera manicata in my garden. It soaks up a lot of moisture and is an ‘architectural’ feature. However I spotted two samples growing in a neighbour’s drain last year. I have removed the seedheads from my specimen this year. I’M WONDERING SHOULD I remove my plant … read more

I planted tulips for the first time last autumn, and got a really lovely healthy display this spring-time. They are about to finishing flowering now. When can I cut back the greenery? Do I leave the bulbs in-situ in the ground? Do they need to be fed?

I have peonies growing in pots and they make buds however then they dont flower just wondering whether its insufficient feed or something else?

I left dahlias in ground this winter, covered with bark. I can see they are still there but when will they start to sprout. In Mayo.

I left dahlias in ground this winter, covered with bark. I can see they are still there but when will they start to sprout. In Mayo.

I bought Emerutus Brutus (fox Lily) and planted them in October but I have three left over which I didn’t get to plant yet.Can I plant them now or not? Thanks Gerry

I have cosmos planted in trays in greenhouse that are now approx 2 inch tall but just two leaves on top and tall and string looking. What should I do next?

Moved into new house about two years ago….,the attached plant was growing vigorously in the border,can you identify please ?see image attached . Large leaves / no flower … Is it a weed?

I had this gorgeous plant – as per attachment – until it died recently. I dont know the name of it – can you help and identify this plant please and can you guide where i would be able to purchase it please.

What is wrong with this bamboo the leaves have fallen off and it just doesn’t look like it is doing to well

Nearly every white daffodil in my garden has been picked or cut by something… humans have been ruled out, the stalk is cut at the base with no chew marks, no part has been eaten… is this the work of a dog, slugs or something else? Thanks!

My potted tulips have finished flowering. Will they come again next year? If so, what do I do with the bulbs now?

My daughter is getting married on June 30th. Have you any advice on what I can plant now for maximum colour impact.

I planted spring bulbs (snowdrops and bluebell H. nonscripta) under a sycamore tree and nothing has come up. I cleared and raked the area well before planting, cut away the lowest branches, so there’s plenty of light and rain getting to the soil, but still not flowers. Just wondering if the sycamore itself might be … read more

I want to move a large clump of helleborus, the Lenten rose, which is currently in bloom. I am getting conflicting information on when best to do this.Could you advise please?

I have a raised flower bed, backed by a high wall. Its about 12ft long and would be in a South facing garden, it would be located to the South East. The sun would hit that section of the garden from about 1pm until 5pm.I want to plant it up with colours and some trailing … read more

When should Turtlehead be planted?

I have an agapanthus in fat bud for the last month! Is this unusual.

I have Tulip bulbs stored in old newspapers in my garage. They are sprouting. Is it too late to set them in mosspeat in pots? Will they be ok if left there until December?

I recently noticed a white fungal growth on my bluebells, wall and tree trunk in a bluebell bed. It looks like polystyrene beads but when touched it turns to a watery substance. I noticed yesterday that it seems to have consolidated and when the skin was broken it looked like dog sick. What is it … read more

I’m wondering what annuals to plant for the best cut flowers for an informal wedding.

I have a one year old garden that has grown tremendously. Is it too late to prune back the lavender, cone flowers, jasmine etc. or should I wait to the spring? I live in Sutton, Dublin so we don’t get so much frost.

I want to store my Dahlia tubers, which have been growing in the herbaceous borders, indoors over winter in pots. I read that they should be placed in Peat or sand but I’m wondering if I could use Multipurpose Compost instead? My long term plan is to put them back out in a coldframe in … read more

Here in Kildare my Dahlias and Rudbeckias are still flowering away abundantly. I’m just wondering when I should cut them down and take them undercover given how mild it has been this Autumn.

I was wondering if I could use aquatic pots for planting Tulips. I am considering starting the Tulips in these and once into growth I will put them in their final positions in the ground and in pots. Their final positions aren’t available for a couple of months yet. These pots will also make removing … read more

For Summer hanging baskets and containers I always use water retaining granules. Should I use them for Winter baskets etc, or could they freeze and kill the plants ?

Part of my west facing bed only gets sun late afternoon any ideas for winter colour preferably bedding plants

On holidays last week (Mid Oct) and I came across this in a coastal forest in very sandy soil. It was the last of them, all the others had gone to seed. Any Idea what it is? I brought seed home but don’t know what way to plant them.

I have an Euphorbia amy. Purpurea planted April 2014 and am unsure what to do. I’m told it should be cut to ground level now but it looks so good now. However I did not cut it last year and it did not look good earlier on. Also should I divide it next spring?

Can you tell me what this plant is and how do I thin out? When is best time to thin out?

My dahlias (which I have for several years) produced a lot of leaves but not a lot of flowers this year. Why was that and how can I increase flowers next year? I don’t lift them in winter.

I have a bright green moss invading my flower beds, it doesn’t seem to respond well to roundup, and picking is not very effective as there is too much to use as permanent workaround. Any ideas to kill permanently would be appreciated.

I transplanted Arum lilies 7 years ago and they flowered OK. In recent years they have flowered less and less and this year only a few flowers. Plenty of green leaves. They are in a south-facing, slightly slopping bed with clay soil. What can be done and what are the ideal conditions for Arum lilies?

Will dahlias left in pots survive over winter (saving on storage etc,)? If so, will they need to be freshly potted next year? I have these plants for a few years and have been lifting them after the first frost.

photo attached is one of my tuber begonias which I want to keep for next year. Can I overwinter it in an unheated greenhouse as a green plant or do I have to store it as a tuber (like a dahlia)? Will pelargoniums overwinter as green plants in an unheated greenhouse successfully or should I … read more

Yesterday I planted new geranium plants from branches of old plant dipped into rooting powder and planted in small pots , just wondering should I keep them outside and how many days it would take to have roots .

can I leave Geranium , dahlia , Japanese laural, and camellia bonovana plants outside in pots in winter , if not until what month they can keep outside , if I bring them inside room temp is 19-20degree Celcius. Will that be ok for them or bring them in shed where there is no heating.

I bought indoor Lily plant, it had very beautiful scented flowers but in few days all gone and branches died as well , can I regrow that from same branches and roots next year or how to take care of that?

From my dahlia plant in pot 1 branch broken which has many leaves , flowers and buds. Can I regrow that branch into a new plant after applying rooting powder and plant into a pot?

My hollyhocks are doing well this year. This is their first year. When they finish flowering, how will I deal with them during the winter? will I cut them to the butt and cover them up?

Campanula “Elizabeth” was recommended in The Irish Garden June 2014 issue. I cannot find it anywhere, perhaps you know of a supplier?

I am looking for a supplier in Ireland that sells Escarboucle red water lily plants. If you can point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated. I have a large ornamental pond in Glengarriff.

I don’t know what kind of lily if it is lily.

I have grown tuberous begonias in pots for the first time this year and was amazed with the height of this magnificent specimen. It is 77 cm (30″) tall. Do they usually grow to this height?

Flowering heads on my dahlias are drooping …not dried out or sickly…just looped over…is there a reason / remedy please.

When is the best time and how do you sow seeds to obtain the best germination success of tropelium speciousm

I recently bought some mint seeds online. I planted them in composted seed trays about a month ago with no sign of life!The package advises to sow in March but would this just be to avoid potential frosts? The variety I bought were ‘Tagetus Minuta Muster John Henry Peruvian Black Mint’ (a bit of a … read more

I have blue and white Canterbury bells they are currently hidden by shrubs would it be ok for me to dig them up and replant them and would they be more suited to a shady part shady or sunny location?

The stem has grown flat and the flower head is covered with over a hundred blooms,it is in perfect health and is blooming profusely, height is over 7 feet and it is in a pot with two other lilies which are growing in the normal way

Have ferns in garden that have ticks on them. What can be used to get rid of them from the plants?

I planted bamboo at the end of my back garden 6/7 years ago and am now worried that is seems to be spreading to neighbours sites. if i dug a trench and laid paving slabs on their side would it halt spread or how deep do the roots go.

Can you please identify this plant which I think is found growing along the edge of the road leading into Enniskerry ( from N11 Bray)?

I have just removed 20 Golden Apeldoorn Tulip Bulbs, which I planted last October, from a large pot to make room for summer bedding. I have read that it is not worth keeping Tulip Bulbs for later planting as they often don’t flower again or do so very erratically. Whats your view on reusing Tulip … read more

This appeared in my flowerbed. I think from researching it may be Bindweed I am not sure and I would like to make sure before I try to remove it. If it is Bindweed, what is the best way to kill it?

I have grown 13 plants of Sweet Pea on two wigwams which became too small so I put extra canes down as well. My problem is that a lot of the flower stems are growing bent instead of straight upwards and so they are not suitable for cut flowers. What is the reason for this?

Why are some of the flowers on my Peony ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ going bad before the flower opens? Not all the flowers on the plant are like this, but some are.

After numerous attempts to grow Morning Glory I’ve finally managed to get some growth – leaving it in a pot instead of the ground. However, something is attacking the leaves. I’ve spread salt around the base of the pot in case it’s slugs but I can’t actually see anything. No other plants seem to be … read more

I am looking for some genuine advice from an expert. I have new garden and have new grass growing. I have an area at back around 70 foot long were I would like to grow wild flowers, see photo. Looking for advise as tho where I should purchase, what do I have to do to … read more

Would you kindly tell me what’s the name of the plant fro the photo attached

What is this, coming up at the base of a Yucca?

Is it too late for me to plant Dahlia tubers in pots? Those I planted directly in the ground have been destroyed by slugs/snails. I thought I might grow new tubers in pots and plant them out when they are mature. Don.

I think I have white fly on my lupins. One plant is badly infected and I got to spray it before it bloomed but now it has bloomed and I can see the whitefly on the other lupin I was wondering should I cut off all the blooms and spray again or should I just … read more

My lupins are currently magnificent but I notice today covered in white fly . Is there anything I can use that will not affect bees or other wildlife?

I’ve bought a house with a mature beautiful garden that is over grown. I had to cut back alot of plants/trees and I have a hygranea that has the leaf attached growing kinda on top of it. I actually only noticed today that there were 2 kinds of leaves and that it seems it is … read more

Can you please tell me what this flower is? It has returned again this year with no effort whatsoever.

Could you tell me what this plant is? Bought it in Amsterdam recently as a novelty it grows without soil or water.

I mistook the lily leaves and stems for ivy and chopped them down completely… what should I do to try and save the bulbs?

I’m trying to grow organic and to that end I’m looking to make my own insecticide. Quiet a few of the formulas I have come across on line specify either insecticidal soap or dishwashing fluid as part of the formulation. Can you recommend an organic version and supplier of either of these.

I was given this plant as a present = the giver does not know its name!! It grows to about 5 ft and has a pink flower. Can you tell me its name please. Thank you Brian

I am not an expert in gardening and I need your help. I have a corner area in my front lawn that is full of weeds, they are now attached to the black landscape fabric sheet underneath and when I try to pull the weeds I tear the fabric, I feel like I’m not getting … read more

We put sedum cuttings down on a roof 3 years ago, didn’t realise we had to feed the sedum, waiting for the show of colour last year combined with a very dull summer, there is a lot of moss in place. We applied seaweed on it last autumn which I will do shortly again. Just … read more

I took a snip last summer (pic attached ) and i potted it and it has bloomed but I’ve no idea what it is. Would you have any idea? There are 7 stems with only 1 little flower head.Also should I wait till May to plant out and lastly should I divide it now before … read more

If I pinch out the main shoots of my Dahlia plants at 3 sets of leaves (18-20″) to promote bushier growth, by how much roughly would this reduce the eventual height. I have a few tall varieties (40-48″) but my site can get windy conditions at times. I have shorter cvrs but I would like … read more

I was pruning yesterday and a stem from one of my plants hit against another one. The sap inside blew out and into my eye resulting in a chemicial burn in my cornea, I have been in the er dept of Beaumont most of the night and in the mater eye clinic today. They have … read more

Do sweet pea need to have their center tips removed to make them spread out more?

The leaves on my Iris reticulata are extremely long, to the extent that they actually take from the display, its like looking at the flower through the bars of a cage. Can you tell me what may have caused this please?

My front flower bed is shaded and sheltered by a tall hedge. The front yard is north-facing. What can I plant for some colour and coverage that will populate the bed nicely for the summer and maybe next year too? Would a clematis climb up the hedge with very little sun?

Like everyone , my garden is very wet and soggy. I thought I had good colour in a bed I see from kitchen window, but Primula viallii and pasque flower have disappeared. Winter heathers? Perennial wallflowers? Mini daffs doing well. Primulas struggling

I have a Phygelius African Queen I believe. Planted in 2002 by now it has invaded the decking, grass and the rest of the bed, neighbour’s garden. Cutting it comes back stronger and spreading more than ever. I need to remove or eradicate it somehow, but there is a lot of it. Really need your … read more

I planted some Oriental and Asiatic lilies in pots and left them in the shed maybe until they start sprouting because there is still frost outside so hope this is ok? Also is there any other flower bulb that I could plant now in pots for spring and summer?

I have just bought a couple of dahlias to plant in a pot but I wonder if it is still too cold to leave them outside? Should I wait to plant or could I keep the vase inside? I don’t have a green house only a shed where there is no sunlight but could I … read more

I have two types of Agapanthus blue and white the White one is growing down to the ground while the blue is upright. They are in a south west facing bed what can I do?

It said last week to check on stored dahlias to make sure they have not dried out. I thought that the idea of storing them was to make sure that they are dry before being put away so that they don’t rot. I dried mine & put them in newspaper in a box. Surely if … read more

Sparrows are pecking at the silicone on my windows causing damage. Any ideas?

I planted winter pansies, violas and mini cyclamen and cyclamen in my window boxes in late September. The compost is very wet and cyclamen may be rotting. Have deadheaded but little further flowering. Do I need to dry out window boxes and if so how? Also, should I fertilise to encourage growth and if so, … read more

We’ve just brought in our Waterfall Begonias to overwinter indoors. How often should they be watered? I ask this because if planted in the ground, you dig up the tubers and bring them in to dry out so would watering them kill them off?

When bulbs are grown in pots and removed in the summer can they be repotted for a second year?

I would be delighted if you could identify this flower please

When should I sow my forget-me-not seeds so they are flowering with my tulips?

I am looking to source 150 -300 bulbs, do you have any suggestions please?

The plant in the picture grew from seed which I think fell from our bird feeder. It’s about 2ft tall and has just pridudes blue & white flowers. Any idea what it is? Last year we got some Nyger seed plants!

Many years ago an article was published in “The Irish Garden” about the traditional Orange and Easter lily commonly grown in Irish gardens. I specifically want to know the botanic name of the traditional Irish Orange lily. Other Lilies that are orange are available but these are not the one’s I remember from childhood. They … read more

What is the name of this plant?

I have planted spring bulbs on my bank and there is a load of weeds in the area. If I use weedkiller will I kill my bulbs too.

We have planted gladioli in pots,there are lots of greenery but no flowers yet should we put in ground or leave in pots at this time, thank you.

I’ve been trying to buy madonna lily bulbs for over two years. Every garden centre says something different. If I ask in spring they say they come in in the autumn. If I ask in autumn they say they’ll have them next spring. – When should I expect to be able to buy them, and … read more

Can I dig up wild orchids in my garden and move them?

I plan to work on my daughter’s garden this coming weekend, and would like your advice on how to get rid of the moss that has taken over the flower beds. Also what can we do to improve the soil. There is a box hedge surrounding the bed which is doing ok but the plants … read more

I have had an allergic reaction to something in the garden of a house let out, on/off for several years. Severe swelling of eye/lips, rash on neck/face, I have been admitted to hospital for treatment due to severity. I would like to get to the bottom of the issue as we are now moving into … read more

Need help identifying this plant. It came in a box of seeds that encourage butterflies. It is thriving along with other ones of the same type in my garden.

I need a ground cover solution for under Dogwood shrubs (large area) as grass and tall weeds are visable even when dogwood is in full flower.

Have recently just fallen in love with gardening after never having done it before. I put in a large rockery (prob about 10M) and I have been busy planting away with summer flowers. My question is what are the best flowers to plant for autumn or seeds to sow. Have no idea what will last … read more

I have a ditch at the end of my garden with whitethorn trees growing along it. The slope of the ditch is very bare (apart from some rocks) and I want to fill the space and add some colour. What are the best types of plants to set in an area like this?

Do you know what kind of weed this is? It is growing near the roots of one of the shrubs in my garden and I am reluctant to put week killer on it in case I damage the shrubs. I have dug it out before and put wood chip down. Any other suggestions would be … read more

My Hyacinth Carnegie and Muscari blue grape variety are now falling back but I’ve noticed small tomatoe type growth on the stems. Are these new seeds/bulbs ? and what should I do with them. Also how far back should I cut out of season stems such as above and tulips for.

I can’t find a supplier of Nymphaea candida (for our small pond) in Ireland: any suggestions please?

Can I plant daffodils under a mature magnolia? They are not doing well in pots, but I am afraid I might damage roots of magnolia Stellata as they appear close to surface. Thank you

I am new in gardening and decided to plant Marigolds from seeds from shop. I know how it must look but what was grown from my planted seeds confused me a lot! I am not sure I am growing Marigolds. What do you think it could be?

Just re-designed garden in formal style, buxus pyramids & balls. Would like to plant slow growing, compact evergreens with colour between. Any suggestions please ?

Every spring my perennials start growing like this. Any advice on cure please?

Two – level very overgrown garden. No topsoil or clay – only builder rubble, stones and sand.. Lower level sloping towards house with no retaining wall with wooden railing separating upper and lower levels. No access for mini digger. Two landscapers have said no to job with one saying it’s the worst he’s ever seen. … read more

We have lots & lots of daffodils, all various varieties. This year a large % of the Daffodils failed to flower & left us with leaves only. Why did this happen?

when you list rabbit proof plants/shrubs does this also mean hares?

Can you name this plant? They are sprouting out of the ground in my son’s garden

My wife and I visited your beautiful country, last fall. I took a picture of a plant near the Ring of Kerry and want to know if, you can identify it. See attached photo.

can i buy a small quantity (40-50) of annual bedding flowers for pots and baskets (lobelia,trailing surfinia,etc.)in plug form anywhere in ireland.i want to finish growing them in my glasshouse

My well established Schizostylis normally blooms late summer/early autumn. However, in the last week it has started to flower – is this normal?

I have a daffodil with 3 flowers on one stalk. I have never seen the likes. How unusual is it?

When is the best time to sow foxglove seeds?

Can you please tell me the name of this shrub and any tips on care?

I’m looking for advice on what type of plants I should plant in my border. It’s facing the sea, about 100 meters away! and Easterly in direction, so exposed to all manner of breezes and gales. I am thinking about heather, saxifraga, aubretia at the very edge and at the back some erysimum, hoping to … read more

I’ve planted some Asiatic and Oriental lilies bulbs in pots and I wonder if I can leave them in the shed until they start growing or is it better to leave them outside?

I have 2 dozen lupins from this year’s seeds, in a cool greenhouse, about 12 inches tall, should I place them outside, or leave them where they are?

I planted some Madonna Lily bulbs 3 weeks ago and they are now showing well above ground. I didn’t expect them to appear until next summer. Is this usual? Will the frost kill them, should I dig them up and plant deeper? Your advice would be appreciated. Eilish.

Both last year and this year, my mother’s Sweet Pea has a small fly inside in the middle each Sweet Pea flower, and she does’t like giving small posies as gifts any more. What is the reason for these flies appearing and how should they be destroyed? Thanking you.

I have an Echium of about 1.20 metres in my garden which shall flower next year. How canI protect it from frost? It will only tolerate up to minus 3 Celsius as I read in one of my books. I heaped some earth around its base and popped a huge plastic bag over it as … read more

A friend told me she wanted to tidy her garden and cut her lilies down as they looked very uglyafter flowering. Now she is worried that it might have been wrong and would damage the plants. As I have no lilies myself I could not answer her. The lilies are the ones with leafs directly … read more

see photo enclosed that are growing in a hanging basket Can you tell me what they areI know one is a geraniums but the not sure what they are

Hi Gerry, see enclosed flower yellow and orange Can you let me know if u know the name of it Thanks Francis

Can you tell me what this flower is? It look like a shamrock 3 leaf with yellow flowers. Not sure if it a real flower or a weed

Photo enclosed Can you tell me if it a weed or a flower? It has blue bell type flowers and green rubbery leaves Francis Sean Donoghue

Should a lupin plant which I have had for a number of years have started to sprout by now or is is likely to be dead. There are no shoots visible.

This year i had a lot of daffodils, and very few flowers, i am wondering should i put some fertilizer on now, last year i waited a long time before tidying them up, it was early May, when i cut them back. What kind of fertilizer should i use?

I bought 2 Agapanthus plants at a garden centre 4 years ago and I planted them in garden and had 1 flower on each the 1st year but only had green leaves and no flowers since,could you tell me reason for this and what I should do to get flowers on them as they are … read more

I have a number of Erysimum (Bowles Mauve) plants. Should these be trimmed back to ground level or just pruned and will they grow back again?

I have 2 agapanthus plants growing with 3 years but have no flowers on them, I had 1 flower the first year but nothing since only green leaves,what is the reason for this.

I have several trays of sweet pea in the green house at present, they are about 6 inches in height, i also have a polytunnell, and wonder should i transfer them there, will they keep growing ,and should i put them in to larger pots, i read about a trial being done , some sown … read more

I have had some good success this year with poppies and now have several withered stalks with seed heads. Should I collect the seeds and plant them or should I leave them to reseed naturally? If I should collect and plant, when should I do this?

Could you please identify this beauty which “appeared” in my garden some years ago. Evergreen “hairy” green leaves and dandelion like small orange flowers?

A small colony of ants have appeared all over the waste matter in my compost bin; are they a threat to the process or final compost?

About 3 to 4 years ago I planted Flame Creeper at the base of a Japonica shrub growing against a north facing wall. Thought it would give colour when the Japonica finished flowering. The creeper has now started to spread deep in the soil and I am afraid it is going to ‘take over’. I … read more

Could you please suggest a shrub for a large terracotta container on an elevated exposed site facing west close to the sea in the west of Ireland?

I have some calibrachoa planted in window boxes with good quality compost along with a bit of vermiculite, swell gel and slow release feeding. I have them planted up for about a month or more but have noticed where the leaves of some of them are turning yellow and wonder what could this be. They … read more

Some of the tulips I planted this year seem to be stunted and badly eaten-leaves and flowers. Some flowers are at ground level-some dont even seem to have leaves. Any advice?

Tops of some daffodils (three clumps) look burned or charred. They didnt flower this year and the tips of some of the leaves also appear ‘burned’. Other daffs near them are unaffected but I am worried lest this ‘burning’ will spread.

I have noticed that something is eating my Daffodils before they have flowered, its looks like something just bit the top off the bud where the flower is, any idea what this might be?

I bought 2 big bags of daffodil bulbs last Autumn and planted them along the perimeter of my garden. I notice now that although most of the bulbs did produce foliage only a fraction of them have flowers. Apart from buying them cheaply what have I done wrong, and is there anything I can do … read more

Are tulips salt loving plant? I live in Galway and i can get seaweeds here as much i want, just i dont know can i use seaweeds for tulips?

Is Phyllostachys nigra a runner or clumper and what to do with it all brown leaves falling off?

When is the best time to take out the sweet william out of the pots to plant in the ground as this is their 2nd year in pots. the pots are outside my house in Sandymount?

Agapanthus in south facing bed didn’t flower last year – should I put restrict their roots within the bed to encourage flowering?

want to have thin border round septic tank. thinking of bearded iris. in states the leaves remain year round. can u recommend any evergreen iris or another plant if iris not evergreen. want to cover atank edge about 2 ft high.

I bought 13 window boxes for the spring and im not sure what to fill them with.

Over the last 2 years, I’ve grown a lot of veg and summer bedding in containers and so have about 2 cubic metres of spent compost, made up of bought in proprietary peat based product and home made general stuff (grass, plant shreddings, green kitchen waste etc.). How best can I re-use this? Ideally, I … read more

What is the best tropical plants/trees to use in sheltered sunny garden, taking into account our cold frosty winters?

I have 3 types of Molimba which done really well throughout the summer. They are now looking very hard done by over the last month and wonder if they should be cut back and if so when would be the best time to do so. I am new to gardening so not sure of these … read more

Are everlasting wallflowers too late to grow from seed for this year? Can’t find them in any of the usual outlets

I am looking for a perennial flowering plant that I can plant in mass that will look good against calamagrostis Karl foreseter. Have used rudbeckia in other parts of garden so do not want to use it again.

My problem is a plant identification. In the attached photo is a small border perennial plant that has continued to survive every winter since I bought it about 4 years ago. I want to get some more, but nobody knows or has seen it before.(Secateurs indicates scale)

I’m a very amateur gardener but I love growing things and this Christmas I took a shine to a flower I describe as ‘Ornamental Cabbage’. They are a form of brassica of this I’m sure but are they just cabbage plant flowers? Or have they a specific genus?

Can you please reccomend a container or product that would make it easier for me to create a raised bed around my garden?

i have 3 hyacinth bulbs in pot that I got as a present. they seem to have bolted and are drooping in full bloom. what can I do?

A new canna in pot in garden over summer did v well now in cold greenhouse do i cut back ? or just leave dry ?

I planted daffodil, grape hyacinth and narcessi bulbs in October and they have all come up to almost 5cm in height given the good weather we experienced in November. Will they just die down naturally and reemerge with flowers in the springtime or is it too late now? A friend suggested that I should bring … read more

I have some perennials that were bought for me in the last month but because of a bad back was unable to plant them as yet. Is it too late to plant them now? or could i plant them and give them a good mulch? or should i just cut them back and leave them … read more

I saw something I’ve never seen before this week .. daffodils in full bloom! Is this usual?

I have a Verbascum densiflorum and a friend wants some seeds. I have crumbled some dried flowers from one of the spikes (that grew to about 10 feet!) but I can’t identify anything as a seed. How can I identify the seed or is it possible that there is none?

Is it too soon to plant Allium giganteum? The packet says to delay setting as frost might get them if they come up too soon. also people tell me they are very hard to grow. Is this correct?

I am involved with flower bed filling in Roundstone Co Galway. I want to plant native Irish plants, which provide lots of colour and are suitable for a coastal village in Connemara. Can you give some help? Shrubs and hedges could also be included.

I have double begonias in pots outsidewhich are beginning to thin out & I believe these can be saved for next summer. How can I save these tubers until next spring/summer. Last year I just left them in their original pots in the shed but to no avail.

I sowed hardy perennials in late Sept/early oct. some have germinated and are tightly packed in the pot. I think it is too late to prick them out. Will they survive in my plastic greenhouse? I have each pot in a ziplock freezer bag which is open now, but I can close over the winter. … read more

Can I divide Oriental Poppies and Astilbe now?

what is the best time to lift geraniums to store for winter

I have just erected a greenhouse. Should I plant bedding seeds in the greenhouse now for spring ?

How deep do I plant Allium Caeruleum bulbs, 2ft. Ht. and blue in colour, do they need full sun.

Do I lift dahilas and gladioli for winter and how do i store them? Can i move and seperate my peony now as its bolcking my front gate its been there since before i bought the house 12 years ago?

I’m planting up pots for wjnter at the moment. planting tulips in layers to give a longer period of colour in spring, any suggestions for what to plant on top of pots to give colour now and throuh the winter, no great success with cyclamen in the past.

when is the best time to plant tulips? its late september now….

Is there was any way to keep flowers alive during the winter?

I’ve noticed some damage on the leayes of lupins. What could be the problem, i.e. what pests are common to these flowers?

I planted a bishop of LLandaff last year and a bishop of York this year.The llandaff came back with a vengeance this year. My question is when do I need to seperate the bulbs? Do I wait for them to die off for the year or just stop flowering? Also my bishop of york is … read more

My bedding dahlias have formed tubers.Is it possible to sow these tubers next April?

Should I deadhead my jasione as the old flowers look very dull? how far down the stem should i cut?

Sunflowers – have sunflowers in a pot and they were flowering but now have closed up. Can you tell me why they might have closed and what to do with them?

You mentioned a flower with “big white blossoms” on Trish Taylor programme this morning (Sep17). I can’t listen back on the internet at the moment due to gremlins. Any chance you could tell me what flower you were referring to?? My German husband still can’t believe that you guys can plant out that sort of … read more

can I save sunflower seeds for sowing next year?

I am getting rid of a flower bed which has alot of Geranium Endressii in it. I was just wondering if I sprayed them with a weed killer would it kill the roots also as there are too many of them to dig up.

I have some hanging. basket plants which I would like to save – Dichondra Silver Falls & Trailing Verbena Lanai Early Scarlet. I think they’re perennial in warmer climates but is there anything I can do to safely overwinter them here ?

I planted out my Everlasting Sweet Pea earlier this year. At that time I had very little in my new garden. My Verbena was very small then. Since then I have spotted these sweet pea in other gardens and they seem to be very bushy and strong. I am afraid for my Verbena which gives … read more

I got a gift of this beautiful shrub. It hasn’t thrived at all. I started gardening in April of this year. The flowers are beside a beautiful wall of an old walled garden. I am aware that years ago this area had glass houses and in places there may be old foundations. I have cared … read more

I sent in a not very good photo of this plant to you and you suggested it might be tritonia; I’m attempting a better shot, as I read that tritonia only flourishes in mild climates and this one has survived two very bad winters! It’s about5 inches high. Many thanks for such a great site!

This monarda we bought last year was helathy and flowering but seems to be struggling; I’ve given it plenty of water and it’s in a courtyard which gets afternoon sun; anything I can do for it?

I have some poppies growing that I planted, as opposed to wild ones. They have finished flowering now and look a bit straggly. Should I cut back parts of them or should I leave them alone?

I am looking for a plant called the Pride of Maderia (Echium candicans), can I buy some of them from you?

I want to move my agapanthus from the front garden into the rear garden. When is the best time to move them also can I divide them up as they are in a big clump?

I have an Arum Lily that I separated and moved two years ago. Since then it has not flowered but looks quite healthy otherwise. Do you have any suggestions what I could do with it for next year?

Border Plants along a back wall – Lavender, climbing sweet pea & other evergreen climber were thriving but now have stopped growing completely and leaves are eaten (not from edged but more lace like). I had replanted a rhododendron from other end of border closer to the affected side – would this have caused a … read more

I planted everlasting sweetpea seeds in March indoors. Planted them out in early July. Some of them are twelve inches tall attached to some trellis. I am aware that they do not flower the first year but my question is what do I do with them when the frost comes. Do I cut them closer … read more

Where can I buy the following Spring bulbs please i think our dwarf plum tree might be diseased..we haven’t had any leaves so far this year and the buds all look like there is a swelling just beneath – last week I noticed a kind of sap oozing out of them but this appears to … read more

Have a cobblelock path around house and had problems with moss last year. Scraped out moss and sprayed with roundup and came up very well, This year have a new weed and dont know how to treat, much harder to clear than the moss and looking for how to treat as spreading rapidly.

This lovely plant is growing wild at the bottom of the garden and I’m wondering if I can move it into the garden proper.

this plant suddenly appeared; I think it may have hitch-hiked in on the Stipa it’s right beside. It’s about 3-4 ft tall, with sparse, lance-like leaves. Thank you!

I have two different types of stipa – feathertail and golden oats – can i divide these and when? also do they need feeding and when?

I am interested in growing medicinal herbs and of course ginseng is the holy grail of these. I am aware that the root can only be harvested after 10 years and that it tends to grow naturally in shady woody elevated areas, so my question(s) are can i buy the plant here and would it … read more

Can I divide primulas in August?

Setting up a small wildflower patch in my city garden….thought it was pink cow parsley but might be pink hogweed. Very pretty…should I encourage it in my wildflower garden or get rid of ? How can I be sure it is hogweed ?

i have a large bed full of perennials that as they’ve grown i’ve realised are not in the correct positions i.e. taller ones in the front and colour combinations not working.. when could i take them all out and reposition them? i would also like to divide some of them while i have them out … read more

My Sweet Pea have grown over 7ft tall and are difficult to manage, is it possible to cut them by 1/3 and will this encourage new growth

I live in an appartment and I have rose bushes growing in containers. The problem I’m having, each year for the past 3 years, is that the leaves on each of the 3 rose bushes I have planted are being decimated by something that doesn’t seem to hang around. It also seems to fancy the … read more

I hope this photo is clear enough to identify – a sweet little plant that I think is in the wrong place but it bravely struggles on every year; if I know what it is maybe I can take better care of it. Thanks.

The second-last plant to identify in this garden, can you help?

We have been growing Hollyhocks for a number of years and they are a sight to behold , however, every year they get this horrible rust on the leaves – starting lower down and moving up, we usually remove the bad leaves, but can you tell us what we should do to get rid of … read more

I have a herbaceous paeonia that does not flower. It is planted in a sunny well drained spot. The leaves are shrivelled with brown spots. Can you advise me please?

can hosta be divided in autumn?

My peony has finished blooming – its early August- and i wonder if it should be tidied up/pruned or should i leave it?

Can you id this plant for me please! I didn’t plant it, but we got top soil from a garden centre last year and presume there was a seed there that’s settled in well! It’s about 4 ft tall now and popping seeds all over the place!

I planted a Phlox paniculata ‘White Admiral’ not so long ago, it looked healthy and started to flower lovely white flowers but then gradually and suddenly the flowers shriveled up and fell off. Some of the leaves also started to get a lot of black spots around their edge. Not all the flowers have died,…yet, … read more

I am in the process of taking cuttings from perennials but am unsure how to care for them during the winter, especially as I live in Carlow which gets just about the coldest weather.

I have a little patch of lawn at the side of my drive that i would love just to grow ground cover plants in. do i need to take up the existing lawn or can i sow the plants on top of it or will the grass just grow up through the plants.

I live in the countryside & the farmer in the field beside my house planted wheat crop this year. All my flowers/fruit & fruit bushes have hundreds upon hundreds of greenfly. I have planted flowers which help to attract insects to kill the greenfly, these flowers have been consumed by the greenfly. I spayed with … read more

I have pots filled with marigolds and violas. Some insect is eating the buds of the violas, can you suggest a spray to prevent this happening. I keep slug pellets around the edge of the pot.

My delphinium flowers are currently dying off and small green shoots are coming out of the fading flowers. It isn’t the most attractive look but I am unsure whether it needs to be left alone or cut back, should i be expecting more flowers?

I’ve collected some seed from geranium/cranesbill plants – how would you recommend I go about getting plants from these: should I sow them now in trays/pods and leave them outside; should I germinate them indoors on a sill; should I hold off and sow them next spring.

A recently purchased gentian has some white flowers, is this unusual?

there is something eating my seedlings in the green house can you tell me what it might be,and how to control it

Where can I buy willow obelisk?

I planted several hanging baskets with Surfinas and Petunias. The plants were all growing well but in one basket plants suddenly started to die off one after the other. I replaced some of the dead plants but after a few weeks the replacements began to die off too. All other baskets seem to be doing … read more

I have planted these Heucheras in 3s and it seems that one or two in each group fade away to one or two tiny leaves. Soil is well drained and limey. Have recently fed the garden with good compost. What else can I do to revive them?

I’ve just noticed that a healthy calibrachoa I have in a window box is quite limp and wilted. The culprit is probably the white fly I noticed at the base of the plant. I’m wondering what’s the best way to get rid of these pests and will the poor plant come back to itself again. … read more

We have put a pond in our garden. I want to plant primulas around the pond ,do i need to dig out the soil and line with polythene or just plant them around the pond?

Is this an indoor or outdoor plant and what conditions does it like. I have one in a pot indoors and once it finished flowering I didn’t know what to do with it. Can I plant it out ?.

Very excited that I’ve just dug up 4 old tree stumps and removed all old roots in my front garden. I’m putting down some new mixed compost now today. What can I plant at this time of year in terms of flowers or fruits/ veg? and if i want roses when can I do that. … read more

Hi Gerry – I have panseys, alyssum and dwarf sunflowers growing in pots and they are suffering with purple leaves and are generally unhealthy looking. Same thing with window boxes: instead of full healthy growth I have scraggly plants with purpling leaves. Erin Premium Compost with added John Innes used in all cases. Watering every … read more

Searching for phlomis russelliana seeds,with no luck,would you know where i can get them from?

I have 2 wonderful pots filled with purple and white petunias. They are growing rapidly and over taking the small shrub I planted in the middle, which I dont miond for now as they look amazing. Whilst I can prun back now – how do I prepare them at the end of the summer when … read more

I was just wondering if you would be able to identify the plant in the photo attachment. It has been around for years but I could never find out a name for it. At the start of spring it flowers with pink and purple flowers. During the rest of the year the green leaves are … read more

I have prepared a flower bed just at the front of the house, underneath a window. The flower bed’s position can be quite cold. It does get full sun until about 2 0 clock approx but the wind from that easterly north-easterly direction can be very cold. The bed is 7 feet by 18 feet … read more

I have found what is referred to as “cuckoo spit” on many of my garden plants. Is this damaging my plants and how do I deal with it?

I have just done a Petunia Flower Ball and it turned out great. Now i am trying a Busy Lissie Flower Ball and it is just not taking off, have you got any suggestions as to what I can do.

I am due our first baby in September and with loads of visitors etc to the house I want to have the garden looking very pretty (and get some of the work out of the way now) – any suggestions for a cottage garden look?

I have had a hosta for years that is usually a fasbulous, full and healthy plant each year. However this year I noticed the leaves were drooping and the edges of the leaves were a yellow colour. Some of the leaves had holes eaten in them. So I spent days & evenings popping out and … read more

I bought some Dahlia Bulbs for the first time at Bloom and now wonder if it’s too late to plant them?!!

Is it okay to divide and transplant perennials e.g Geranium Johnson Blue/ lady’s mantle etc.during months May/June/July August?

I planted 5 alliums last year and the were lovely when the came up but this year only 1 came up would you have any idea why ?

I have a natural stone retaining wall and I am thinking of adding some wall flowers or perennials that would droop over the wall and give some added colour. I don’t want them to take over as the wall is very nice so I am thinking they would droop over no more than one foot … read more

We have recently laid a patio. Along one side is a fence where we have made room for a flower bed. I would like to plant Phyllostachys Aurea – Golden Bamboo. Can you please advise if this is a hardy bamboo, if roots will travel and how far apart should I plant them?

I bought a small campanula which at the time was full of flowers. I have since repotted and the leaves are doing well but growing slowly, however the flowers are no more and don’t look like they are growing new ones any time soon. The plant is in a pot on a north facing balcony … read more

I have 5 free range hens in a town garden. They tend to eat my flowers as I plant them but I still want them to be kept totally loose. Would there be any way I could still have a colourful garden at ground level? Can you recommend any plant they wouldn’t touch?

We have a small garden with a south facing patio. I have been looking for non-trade microdrip irrigation systems without success. Most garden centres store none or a very small selection and most web ordering sites with good selection deliver only to UK addresses. Any suggestion?

Fern Tree. After severe winter only one frond has developed into branch. Is it possible that tree will recover fully. I am feeding it with tomato fertiliser.

i would like to enquire if peonies can be split,and if so, when is the best time to do it?

I sowed foxglove seeds last year. They have just flowered within the last few weeks. However the flower at the top of the plant in photo is very different to the other flowers which are thimble-like. Is this an accident of nature ? is it worth saving the seed ?

Tall poker like purple flower with a yellow ring around the top(within the purple). Dark green low set leaves which are very rough to the touch.

I have bamboo planted at the end of my garden border, which I planted 2 years ago when my knowledge of gardening was zero, although it looks great, I am hearing lots of horror stories about running bamboo destroying gardens. It is around 2 metres tall at this time and it’s spread is quite compact. … read more

I have some pansies in a tub but they have a something like black spot on them. I was told “Get rid of them, dump them”.I only moved the tub to an empty corner because the plants looked ok (except for the spots) and they were flowering really well. Should I dump the tub, do … read more

I have an area of approx 1m X 4m in my garden that i want to place a flower bed. The area of that section of garden does suffer from bad drainage, the grass is very patchy and muddy to walk on when wet weather and the area is fully shaded. For my flower bed … read more

I’ll be planting up some window boxes and baskets shortly and will be adding some slow release granular feed to the compost. If I feed them later on in the summer with tomato plant food would they benefit any more from this or would it instead be too much feed for them? Best wishes and … read more

I seem to have a good flowering red geranium at present. The leaves of this geranium have turned red. What is it lacking?

My three year old tree fern is not producing fronds. The crown is not mushy or black and I am keeping it moist. how can I tell if it is dead and is there anything I can do to help it recover?

The stalks of my paeonia rose have split ,would you have any idea why this has happened?

I have dug two flower beds in my front lawn and im wondering what would be the best low maintanence flowers that give some colour both in summer and winter to plant, i have dug the flower beds this week and mixed some compost through the soil,but still need to raise the beds a bit,and … read more

Can you buy crocus sativus bulbs in Ireland?

My garden is a small one – gets plenty of sun, good drainage. I would like to have a couple of perennials that provide some colour outside of the summer bedding plants – any suggestions?

I planted a peony rose about 4 years ago and last year It flowered with I rose, this year I had one bud developing and unfortunatly something has eaten half the bud away, any ideas. I did find a small green worm/caterpillar on a leaf and I also put some slug pellets down.

I sowed some Auricula seed I purchased at the RHS Malvern Show last year and have been successful in raising some plants. However, only two plants have produced flowers so far this spring. I fed them about twice in the last few months with tomato feed. They are in a cold greenhouse but have got … read more

We lost approx 5 mature shrubs (planted approx 10 years) in last years bad weather, I am looking to replace them with hardy low growing (approx 2ft hight) perenials that will flower this year. We took out the old shrubs and need to fill the gaps.

Im wondering is it safe to plant out summer bedding or is there still a risk of frost. When will I know it is safe. I live in mid cork

I need your help please. My garden is under siege by some savage caterpillars. They are large and bright green and have done untold damage to 10 lilies and reduced them to stumps!! I squashed 5 of these rotten bugs and haven’t seen any since but I am sure more will be back. I have … read more

I have 4 Physalis shrubs which were damaged by the frost. Growth has started at the base.Should I cut them down to the base now?

Can I lift and divide a papaver now?

I’m a complete beginner and I have lovely maple trees in the driveway, the only thing is I can’t keep the grass clear underneath. I have bulbs planted underneath so I try to pull the grass by hand but it still looks terrible. can any one let me know how to keep this clear and … read more

I have a Leylandii hedge that has a very unkempt look underneath, prone to nettles, and bare stumps etc. Can you recommend how I might make a viable flower border under it given the roots, shade etc?

Is there any truth that moth balls repel cats from your plants?

Has anyone ever seen a garden daisy like this?? my ‘nature expert’ 10 year old daughter found it on easter Sunday among normal daisies. i have it in water now… any tips in how I can preserve it better as it may be of interest to botanical experts?

I forgot to store the packets of seeds that I purchased last Spring such as pansies, petunias and cosmos in a sealed container or bag. They are still in date? I sowed them indoors nearly three weeks ago with very poor germination rates apart from the Cosmos. Cosmos is a bigger seed. I do think … read more

I planted a bamboo tree about 7 years ago and it is taking over a portion of my garden. is their anyway to get to the roots so I can stop it form spreading any further!

Our potted Phormium is looking sad and brown, possibly as a result of a very hard winter. I’m sure its pot is large enough. Should I cut it right down, or prune the brown leaves (most of them are brown), or do you think it might have died?

Every year I look forward to planting up window boxes, using mostly petunia, calibrachoa and lobelia and marigold. I’d really appreciate any tips you might have to get a really nice healthy and long lasting display. I wonder what might be the best type of compost to use. I’ve seen the ‘miracle grow’ brand which … read more

Just wondering if you could recommend some flowers that would be suited to potting. I am looking to fill three troughs roughly 150cm in length and am loking to display in partial shade. As much colour as possible is the aim as this is a rather glum area at the minute.

Where can I buy trailing “Happy face Mex”, “cascading red” and “balcony” geramiuns, they are available in UK as plug plants but they do not deliver to southern Ireland.

Can I still transplant my geraniums or have I left it too late? They are sprouting vigorously at present.

My tulips only bloom for 2 years after which they produce only a big green leaf. Is there anything I can do to help maintain them?

How soon after spraying with Round Up could dogs be let out in the garden?

I have a large and very beautiful euphorbia that is flowering right now. unfortunately it is encroaching on my coronet apple tree and it has green fly and i need to spray it so i’ve concluded i need to move it. when can i do this? i’ve heard they are difficult to move and i … read more

How do i know what type of soil is in my garden and what type of plants suit it? i’m new to gardening and am definitely not green fingered

I want to plant some colourful flowers in my patiio that will flower most of the summer whick would be the best type that are full and hardy with lots of bloom, patio shade in morning and full sun by 2pm on one half and other half mostly shade.

My phormiums look very sick- what should I do?

Is it too late to plant summer-flowering bulbs? Can you recommend bulbs sunny dry bed?

I found a vine weevil in the compost when I was emptying my wormery. Is the compost now unusable? Do you have suggestions on how I could rescue the compost without having to go through it for grubs?

I’ve bought an angelica plant. i’ve had conflicting instructions on where to plant it.. tag says moist shady area and RHS book says full sun.. i have both a north and south facing wall where i could put it.

I have sown ERIGERON karvinskianus profusion seeds about three weeks ago in two pots and placed them in a dark cupboard in the kitchen. They have just germinated. What do I do next?

I want to get rid of an old phformium -just plain green one- its too big and it would be impossible to cut it down. I usually trim them with a sharp knife but for this one I would spend a week to get rid of it. I want to replant the spot with something … read more

when and how do I plant seeds saved from the above.

Withering and dying after first flowering

I have planted quite a number of sun flowers in a propagatorI transferred them today. ( as shown 2 small pots ) When should i plant them outdoors.? 44being ambitious I planted more and when I watered the seeds in the bucket they all moved together. Now I have about 15 very closey spaced and … read more

Planted 3 phyllostachys aurea shrubs last September and noticed now that the leafs have yellow/brown tips and very tiny black vertical lines on them. Is this the symptom of something they need or disease? Added a picture taken today.

I have some daffodil bulbs purchased last November but I never got to plant them. They are storing well and I don’t want to have to throw them out. When would be the best time to plant them? Wait until October or plant them when my existing daffodil plants have died back?

I planted a lot of tulips the year before last and they gave me a spectacular show last spring. I let the foliage to die down naturally and left them in the ground, but forgot to feed them. Now I’m noticing some of them already has flower buds emerging, but much smaller in size. I … read more

i photographed this orchid in a bog near me during the summer and would like to know if its a rare one ? its beautiful to look at and i’d hate to see anything happen to it as machinery is going in and out all day they have recently put up 18 to20 wind turbines … read more

I have grown sweet pea from seed, in pots, in the cold greenhouse over the winter. I have some healthy looking plants. When should I plant them outside? How should I prepare the soil?

Do you know where I can buy the sleeping beauty or pink shamrock.

I live in the west of ireland and my daughter’s getting married in september this year. I want the garden looking it’s best can you tell me what types of flower bulbs i should plant now to get lots of blooms? The soil is fairly dry and rocky

I have ordered some Ranunculus asiaticus by post; I grow a lot of flowers for cutting and thought this would be good. However I don’t know where to plant them; I have heard that well drained soil is essential, so I thought of planting them in slightly raised pots or crates, what do you think? … read more

my house is north facing what is the best plant for hanging baskets & window boxes.

I had a great show of Churchill daffodils last year (their first year).. there is no sign of them at all this year?

I have recently lifted a large amount of turf from my garden to create a new flowerbed. I have stacked the turf in a corner of the garden not seen from the house. How do I get this to break down quicker to produce the “loam” I often read about?

Can you please advise most suitable bamboo to grow in a semi shade spot, non invasive / clump forming types only and will also act as a screen. Also bamboo needs to be hardy to cope with recent winters.

My solidago was covered with black flies last year and year before. any idea what they are and is there any solution I can spray them with to eradicate the same problem this year. Breda from Camross, Wexford.

Are arum and St Joseph lilies the same? When is the best time to start planting lilies? Should I start them off in pots indoors/in tunnel or can they go directly into the gournd?

I have an indoor lilly bought last year its a divideable clump lilly with yellow flowers just about to bloom. There are five stems ready to flower, at the base of each actual flower thers is a little drop which looks like water but its sticky. what is this and will it hinder the blooming … read more

I have had crocus in my front garden for many years. In the last two or three years I have found them popping up in the field which is the far side of the stream which runs next to our house. Our field is not treated with fertilizes or chemicals. They have also appeared behind … read more

I am a beginner gardener. I have lots of bulbs growing, which I planted deep (6″).I would like to leave them there permanently. Could you please tell me if I could plant something over the top so that when they are finished, the weeds don’t take over? I was thinking of some ground cover. Would … read more

We have a wet area in our garden and we are looking to plant some reeds there. Could you tell me where i could source them in ireland please ?

I have a five year old variegated phormium which has outgrown its position very considerably. How can I move or remove it. The root is very tough. Any advice would be much appreciated. I never expected it would grow so big so soon.

i’ve a large and flourishing bamboo plant in the wrong position in my garden. I want to put it into trough style planters and it should divide up into 4-6 plants. when should i divide it and what sort of compost / soil should i use in the pots that i’m putting the divided plants … read more

How and when should i divide and transfer arum lily. The lily seems to have been transfered with a weed so how to destroy weed and not lily. This is my grannys lily which i don’t want to kill.

I bought a largish potted outdoor plant in Lidl last summer that produced daisy looking flowers during summer and early autumn.Sorry, I don’t know the name of it! It now appears to be dead, all the branches brown and crunchy, no green on it whatsoever. Should I chuck it out or do you think it … read more

I have two Stipa gigantea (Golden oats)grasses in my garden that have very large dry, straw-like tufts. They are about 15 years old and right now look a bit like hay stacks. I have tried to pull the old dry stuff away but it’s proving a very hard job… as I imagine removing it altogether … read more

My large blue/puple iris rhizomes are now almost fully exposed over ground. I noticed last year that they didn’t bloom well and subsequent greenery didn’t seem to last. Should I cover them completely with soil?

I want to move a few things around in the garden to group things together.. can you tell me the best time of year to move perenials?

The leaves are all brown and dead-looking on my Watsonia. Should I cut them off or what can I do to help it recover?

Should I now cut off the leaves of my Hellibores ? or should I wait until frost is gone ( or likely to be gone )

Can you recommend dwarf alpines for north facing flower bed and a sunny flower bed please

how deep do i sow lillies

I have a beautiful white lupin and I saved a lot of seeds last year. When should I try to germinate them and how?

I had a lovely colour verbina last year and i want to keep it how do i do it? How do i over winter verbina? Can it be propergated from the seeds? Or do i try mind the plant inside?

I planted Tulip bulbs and allium bulbs in very large pots as I had nowhere for them round Nov can I now move them as I finally have some where in the garden for them, and is it to late to plant some allium bulbs that have not been planted at all?

I am just wondering about an area of bluebells that I planted in the autumn – they were planted in a mixture of compost and good soil in mid to late October in a shady site underneath a tree. They have not as yet begun to emerge above the ground and I am wondering is … read more

Im a young gardener and recently bought some pansy and primula plants but the pansy are stunted and have small brown/black spots on them and the leaves of the primula plants are yellowing off and then turning brown and rotting. Can anything be done to save these plants??

I would like to divide and transplant a very large fern (Dryopteris wallichiana) as it has got too big for where I planted it. Could you please advise me as to how and when I should attempt this?

Dicentra Spectabilis died back in Autumn – will it return this spring/summer? Also, do you think it would have survived the snow/frost in recent weeks?

I bought a lot of Spring bulbs which I didn’t manage to plant in time in the Autumn, Can I plant them now in the hope that they will bloom in 2012, or can I store them for planting next Autumn? If the latter, how should I do it, please?

I’d like to know of a supplier of heritage varieties of iris, or old garden varieties.

I like to start a small business selling windowboxes, containers(unusual or art type) and hanging baskets using recycled material, my question is who can i go to to find someone who can make these, or where can i find the material to make them myself.

I bought two big bags of bulbs in the autumn – daffs and native bluebells, didn’t get around to planting them and then the snow came…. Can they still be planted? Can they be stored until next autumn?

I planted daffs. crocus, tulips and bluebells inNov, would these be damaged by the frost beneath ground.I also had about 20 of last years daffs poking through and tips are now frost bitten, will they survive?

I have a 3 person graveyard plot with a headstone(causes shade)surrounded by a kerbstones. The plots designed with paving slabs & 2 cross shapes left for planting, the shrubs have got too big for the space & the headstone cannot be seen anymore. I have japanese anemones(now invasive),hebes , variegeted shrub, which I trim & … read more

Does my Bamboo “phyllostachys” which was planted in September, some in pots and others in raised beds, need to be protected from snow and ice?

When is the best time to transplant Persicaria “Red dragon”?

Im trying to turn sloped garden into a cottage garden. Up to a few years ago it had cattle grazing on it and the ground is very wet. Planted lots of plants during summer (most done well) but did not remove all of the grass or weeds. Plan on hand weeding until plants take over. … read more

I’d like to know if I can dig out my peony rose from the border and put it into a pot. Is this a good time to do it?It is in the wrong spot.

Just wondering is it best to take up bulbs each year, dry and store?I heard Daffs are better left in the ground as they multiply? Which ones are better left in and which taken out?

Can you tell me please, where can I purchase a catmint plant and is it easy to grow?

I have brought my lillies ,grown in pots,into the cold greenhouse ,tilted them on their side to drain. how do I store them for the winter and when do I start them off for next year?

What on earth, excuse the pun, does this mean. I am very much a beginner but am seeing this on packets of bulbs whilst browsing.

I want to transplant Nerine bulbs – they have now stopped flowering and are at back of my vegetable patch which I want to make bigger. When and how do I transplant?

I have cleaned off a rock area recently (no plants remaining) it was growing mainly gorse, wild heather and wild grass. However there are very fine roots still remaining in the soil and between the rocks which I cannot get at to remove. Would a weedkiller (ie roundup root killer) work or would you need … read more

In the Sept edition of Irish Garden Finola Reid wrote a most interesting article on Crinums.I would like to buy some but I am unable to find a supplier.

I have an Ajuga reptans plant. Unfortunately, there is clover growing up through it and appears to be taking over. How do I get rid of the clover without harming the Ajuga?

I need help my peony rose. do i cut it back to ground level some of the folage is very dead looking.

I have bought a sedum-ice plant and i want to take cuttings is it best divided by cuttings or seeds? And can i do it now .

How does one divide the ice plant, Sedum spectabile,Mine is 10yrs old and I’d like to share it.

It is early October and I have germinated Dianthus seeds indoors on a window sill. Should I keep the seedlings indoors over the winter or can I put them outside?

My geraniums have contracted rust (brown spots on underside of leaves).I have taken off all the affected leaves. Can I overwinter these plants under glass or should I destroy them?

I would like to give flower seeds as wedding favours to my guests next September, and wonder what flowers would be good to plant at that time of year? The wedding is on the 10th Sept. I might even make plantable seed paper if the seeds are small enough.

I’m hoping to grow my own flowers for a late July wedding next year (2011). I want blue flowers, something simple. I like the Japan Iris. Would this be a suitable flower in terms of when it blooms? If so when is the best time to plant? There is plenty of space and various aspects … read more

I have a lovely echium in a fairly sheltered part of my garden; Being a tender plant should i cover it with fleece during the winter -also there is a Japanese tree peony-will this need to be covered also.

I have what I think is MYOB in my flower beds, I see from other answers Lawn Sand & Sulphate of Iron can clear it out of lawns, but what can I use in flower beds. There are apple trees, roses, a selection of flowers & heathers in the beds. Are Lawn Sand or sulphate … read more

Is it possible to create a natural woodland floor – e.g. wood anemone, bluebells, wild garlic, primrose etc etc – in an (acidic?) site that was pure bracken and understorey of mature larches? If so, how? I guess the thick layer of larch needles + dead bracken leaves makes it very hard for anything else … read more

this is a low growing bushy pink flower ,throws out stalks on the ground to muliply,not herbaceous , leaves go spotty and discoloured in winter.

August last year I sowed Hollyhocks fro a packet of Mr Fothergill seed labelled “Chaters mixed” The packet showed flowers in red. yellow, orange and white. They flowered this year, but all white flowers. Dis I get the wrong seed, or did I do something else wrong? If I sow more from the same packet, … read more

Can you please advise on the plant Pennisetum setaceum … can this be planted into a very large pot?

Prospect of moving before next spring, can i now divide sweet william and snapdragon and such and keep in pots for the move? they still are in flower.can most garden perennials be divided now?i had a present of a red currant bush last spring, can i cut it to base when leaves are gone?How does … read more

I have planted snowdrops and hope to ‘force’ them to flower at xmas. Can this be done? If so, I have put them in a dark cool place but wonder if I should water/feed them, and also, when should I bring them into the warmth/light in order to have them flower for xmas.I have also … read more

You mentioned a type of plant called an american prairie plant. i would like to find out more as i feel it is the type of plant we could use in our ‘garden’. could you give some examples, approximate cost, suppliers, lifespan and anything else about them.

Does sunflower come back every year?

I got a large tuber from friend and planted it in Spring in garden.It grew very large with beautiful large flowers The stems are 3-4 ins wide and blooms about 5ins.Height of plant about 2i/2ft..The heavy rain yesterday broke off one branch from just above ground. It has tiny roots. Could I plant this on … read more

My Iris are finishing up at present, should they be lifted & stored or can they be left in the ground for the winter or can they be moved & when?

I have 2 varieties of Phormium. 1 giant, 3 pink flushed leaves. all doing very well but no flowers! Acid soil. What do they need please?

My carnations didn’t flower at all. The buds died before they opened. I had some in the shade and some of them in the sun and had no sucess with either. Any ideas what went wrong?Also my miniature rose trees had no leaves on them at all and had a few flowers for a very … read more

I was wondering if the seeds in pods that come on sweet peas when they finish flowering can be used to sow more sweet peas?

I want to move penstemon, catmint & cistus, to a different space in the same bed. When is the best time to do this, also is it possible to grow any of these plants from cuttings?

I lost all my agapanthus plants last winter so this year I will move the pots indoors if we get a lot of frost. I think they will need very little watering indoors – am I right?

I have 4 lillies whcih I planted last June and they are starting to flower now. Can i easily propgate these and turn the 4 into 12 for next year ?. I am wondering how I would go about doing this and is this the right time ?

The bacopa in my baskets has become quite compacted and has stopped flowering, should it be repotted or cut back? I don’t remember it stopping flowering as early as this in years before.

what is the name of the sweet pea that comes back year after year?

I have a 14 year old pond that has worked well. Last year it was perfect! Clear water, healthy fish and beautiful water lillies all summer. But this year it is a mess. Very overgrown, muddy, no fish ( perhaps heron got them or else they are dead at the bottom), very few flowers on … read more

I have a woodland area in the garden (about 25 metres long by 4 metres wide) which is under deciduous trees with very little light getting in during Summer.I want to have a Pathway and on edges some colour Will Grass grow under the trees (as the pathway) and what would you recommend for planting … read more

I need advice of how to get rid of a chinese type bamboo(reed) that is spreading through the garden from two clumps. The bed is covered with a membrane with pebbles on top of the membrane. the runners are under the membrane with the shoots coming through, that makes it impossible to pull out by … read more

My Dierrama which is about 5 years old, was flowering very well until last year, when it had fewer flowers than usual. This year there were a lot of dead leaves , most of which I pulled. It now looks rather scrawny, and one third its former size. It is planted in clay soil, facing … read more

I have lilies growing in wooden half barrels which have finished flowering .I need to replace the half barrels as they are falling apart,when can I take up the lily bulbs and when can they be reset?

we have three whiskey barrell pots and need recommendations for what to put in them that will survive all year round and winter. each one will be left in front of a pillar beside 12 foot wide entrance gates.

In Sep 2008,i planted a paeonia mlokosewitschii and also a trillium grandiflorum. In spring 2009,the trillium flowered and the paeonia made some growth but this year there wasnt sight nor trace of either of them. Im wondering are they taking a rest and will they reappear next year. I know that may be likely for … read more

I would be very grateful if you could help me identify the pest that is damaging to my Calendula plant. See photo below. Nearly all the leaves have this damage.

Can i divide the angel fishing rod plant and how?

I recently bought a plant in a local garden centre and im not sure what the plant is. The gardener said it was a black lily but ive looked it up on the internet and it doesn’t look like one. I would like to know what the plant is and how to look after it.Thanks … read more

I would like to have some hanging baskets during autumn and winter i wold like some advice on what is the best plants to give a little colour.

how do i get rid of greenfly and earwigs on my sunflowers. the leaves are all holes

I have planted polyanthus seeds today, is it too late for them, when should i have flowers? Also I would love cyclamen in pots for winter/spring. Are they seed or bulb and when would I plant them?

What can I do about leaves of petunias in container going yellow?

Our wallflowers are forming seedheads, should we leave them, collect them or remove them? Thank you. Harry bond

I have new raised flower beds and every time i go out of the house my dog {a jack russell } jumps in and digs up some of my flowers he does not eat them but just digs them up and sleeps in the soil how can i stop him from doing this as it … read more

i planted lillies 2 years ago the first year they produced a yellow flower,last year red and this year both red and yellow. could you please explain the reason for this

When is best time to move and divide a large hosta?

why are there so many greenfly out today and what to do to get rid of them. They are like something out of the movie killer bees please help.

Which flowers should and should not be dead headed?

We have two triangular shaped flower beds (approx 6 msq) as part of a new house build which are located in crevices between the house and footpath. That side of house is north facing. As a soil depth of more than 8 inches won’t be possible (due to house foundation, etc), can you suggest suitable … read more

I have a large clump of Arum Lillies, I would like to move them. When should I lift them, and could I grow them from the seed heads.

My asters are blooming at the moment, but the leaves have a white film of them. What is the problem?

I bought a Dicksonia Antarctica in a pot of about 30cm diameter in late April. When I bought it, it had a few baby fronds emerging but these have since disappeared with the exception of one which hasn’t really grown beyond 4 inches and is brown at the edges. I have kept in the pot … read more

I got oriental lilies about 3 weeks ago no sign pf them flowering yet,they are in a pot in sunlight shouldnt they have bloomed by now?

Could you please tell what the disease on this Phygelius aequalis “Sensation” might be. I haven’t seen any pests on plant so have sprayed it with fungicide and tried cutting it back but it returns every year. Another phygelius – capensis – has it to a lesser extent while a third one “Moonraker” is disease … read more

Where can I purchase the climbing plant “tropaelum” or can I order it from you?

I posted this picture on the Garden Club but we cannot agree on what this pretty flower is – the flower is very like both Malva and Sidalcea but the leaves are not like either. It is about 40cm high. The stems are hairy and the leaves are sort of furry. I don’t remember buying … read more

This year I lost a lot of lupins but the ones that did survive had deformed flowers / tips. Also now that they have gone off they have not formed any seed pods.

I have a lovely strong plant of stargazer lily just coming into flower now and notice the leaves are being destroyed by some insect or other.There are rust marks on the leaves and holes also!On closer inspection there is a kind of mushy black substance clinging to the leaves looks like a squashed bug of … read more

What is the best way to deal with a very overgrown pampas I cut back some every year but it is out of control ?

Ants eating leaves on sunflower ..how could i stop this ?

Hanging baskets with trailing petunia, and lobelia were planted in late May (after frosts) and were thriving initially. In last few weeks leaves have gone pale green and flowers have a faded ‘washed out’ look, but are not falling off. Baskets have been kept watered and fed with tomato feed (maybe too much?) from the … read more

My mam has bamboo growing against a fence north facing with not too much sunlight, She is wondering how often should it be watered?

what flowers will colour now in pots?

I was rehoused due to disability, my place has a short avenue and i decided to put down bedding plants, some now dying off, tis rather a mess! all suggestions for plants now that will spread slightly and give a show for the remainder of the summer gratefully received.

I love common garden blue cornflowers. I would like to know if the flower heads are edible or should they be just used for decoration in a salad for instance.

Please can you tell me when I should cut back the foliage on large bearded irises. I continue to remove the spent blooms but should I leave the foliage to die back throughout the summer?

I am looking for advice on what to plant on my 4th floor apartment balcony it is a very small space, gets a lot of wind and strong sun through a glass panel. Nothing seems to survive.

I’m looking for some advice. We have a small family run hotel in Skerries. We are right in the harbour and can get very windy. We would love to have some window boxes or hanging basket but are worried whether they would last or not.We grow our own fruit -plums, apples and damsuns. We have … read more

At what stage do I begin to feed seedlings – hardy and half-hardy annuals? i.e. Calendula and Petunia Is it when the first true leaves appear? How do I know that they are “true” leaves?

What can i grow in a flower bed which has a nighbours tree hanging over it, it can cause shade and can also drip water onto the bed, having no luck with some flowers

My marigolds are eaten through half way up the stem but there is no sign of the insect. What is the cause please and the cure?

I have four Agapanthus plants which have been in the same spots for more than 10 years. They were all huge. They appeared to be completely dead up to recently but now 2 of them have sprouted, but only one or two sprouts per clump. Will the others recover and was it the frost did … read more

My daughter is getting married in marquee in October what is the best natural things to decorate it with, or are there flowers i can plant now for the occasion.

I have purchased this lovly plant, but unfortunately it did not come with a name as it was bought from an open day, and could it be grown again from seeds?

I have what I think is bamboo alongside a butyl lined stream in the garden. The rhisomes from this plant are extremely sharp and I feel that they may already have penetrated the liner.They spread very fast. Please advise how to kill and dispose of this plant.

What is the best to save my daffiodls seed and when can i set them out again?

I have valerian growing absolutely everywhere destroying the dash on my walls by huge roots growing behind, its a weed to me although bees love it and colour is lovely. Is there any way to keep this plant in check? I’ve found it impossible to kill the roots. i don’t want to kill it all … read more

Can you let me know were I can source the native Bluebells and how could I propogate from this original stock just for my own needs?

I am attaching a picture of a plant which appears each year in my garden – my husband says it is a weed, but it doesnt appear to be invasive and the flowers it produces are very nice. I would love to know what it is called.

Just would like to enquire about planting trilliums, i have got some rhizomes as gifts, but was unsure on how to plant them,do you plant them like bearded iris lengthways,or do you plant them like a bulb?

My garden is being over run by this flower what is it?

With the warm weather, these little red creatures, that race over hot surfaces like concrete window cills and more annoyingly garden table tops and leave behind an impressive red marking when rubbed dead, are alive and well again, in droves. I think they are not red spider mite. They might be lice (at least six … read more

As a chef i have access to unlimited amount of eggshells which i find the best deterent for slugs.however, is it possible that using too many could be harmful to the soil/plants ?

Good to see you featuring lily of the valley, Convallaria, in your plant of the day. I have a clump of lovely leaves, but no flowers. How do I persuade them to flower?

I have tried two years in a row to bring white and blue lobelia seeds i can grow lots of other seeds is there a knack to lobelia?

Planted a Dicentra Spectablis last month. It is growing profusely. Can I prune it back? If so, how and when.

I need colour for this July, what do I grow?

I have one lot of bamboos which are about fifty years old and there are a few hundred in that area. They don’t look too healthy. They are growing in a shady area but yet would get plenty of rain. The bamboo stalk is brown and the leaves are brown/black colour before eventually turning green. … read more

Some leaves on my young salvia bedding plants are turning yellow,is it over/under watering,not enough ventilation, or some other cause?

With the very bad frost and snow i lost climbing geraniums i had belong to my dad and id love to get them i have seen geranium skyrocket in english magizene can i get them by mail here in ireland?

we had healthy african liilys growing in the garden up to the bad winter just gone.and im thinking the cold spell has killed them.there is no sign of any growth as yet and leaves are brown and dropey,will they flower again and how can i encorage them to grow

Pampas grass is about 4 ft wide x 7 ft spikes. It’s looking very worse for wear at the moment and is very big. I was wondering whether it is okay to cut it right back. I think there are mice or rats living in it. I can send a photo later if you need … read more

A neighbour was clearing agapanthus plants from her garden (Blackrock Dublin). She kindly offered me some as I had always admired her garden and them in particular. I goggled to check best place to plant in my garden. A remark on one website confirmed they could be poisonous to humans – mouth ulcerations. Should I … read more

I planted busy lizzies outside in pots in mid April. The leaves have shrivelled and become discoloured and I fear that frost may have been the cause although I don’t remember any frosty nights since planting. I didn’t put any fertilizer in the pots,- just used the pots of potting compost which I used last … read more

I recently planted alpine perennials. I used layer of ericaceous compost in the ground on advice. Hebe leaves turning brown is it due to compost? Lots of crawling black flies in soil too perhaps that’s the problem? (not common blackfly look like crawling fruit flies)

I have three agapanthus plants and leaves are not brown but dont seem to have life either. Frost has probably done the damage…is there any way to revive them. Another plant in the same location is thriving and already has signs of flowering

Is it too early to tie down daffodils, they look so untidy when the heads have withered but I have been told to let them wither more- is it bad to just clip them back instead of tieing them down as it takes up so much time when you have a lot of them in … read more

Could you please give me the names of the plants to grow around the soakpit to help remove the nutrients from the water and if possible where to buy them. I have heard them discussed on the radio by no names were given.

I recently sowed sunflower seeds both dwarf and large sunflowers,they are coming on great. But can i put the into lagre pots and if so when do i do it?

I will have your head melted identifying flowersplants but the a-z on irishwildflowers.ie is not a large selection. can you please identify this for me, i photgraphed it at Emo House Co. Laois.. T

How do I get rid of Arum italicum pictum, it has infested several beds and I think a spray would be best as there are hundreds of tiny bulbs all seem to be viable unfortunately.

Can you please tell me the name of this flower, i cant seem to find a picture of it online, i took the pic last week at a public gardens.

My Bergenias have very large holes eaten in them. There is no evidence of slug/snail about them.

I have a stone wall outside my house that divides my house from my neighbours and there is a hollow in the wall so I would like to fill it with some topsoil and set some flowers/plants. Could you advise what flowers/plants that I can set that would flower every year i.e. and also that … read more

I’m not sure this question is within your remit but I said I’d chance it. My neighbours and I have noticed an inordinate amount of small bees of late in our gardens. They often land on the wall of the house (that has been warmed by the sun) and stay there for hours making it … read more

This is the time of year that I cut back my pampas grass as invariably, it has increased in size since this time last year. I normally keep trimming around the edges until its approx 50% of its original size. However, I saw somewhere that you could reduce the size of the pampas grass by … read more

I have a North facing front garden & one border is backed by a wall. The cold wind bounces off it and plants end up burnt. It was already planted with a Riberia, some holly and a Hydranga, which seem to survive. A hebe has succumbed to the prolonged frost this Winter and some French … read more

Could you please recommend some flower seeds that can be planted between paving slabs. I particularly like a small purple flower that I have seen growing in crevices on walls but do not know the name of it.

I was thinking of putting a flower called hotlips and thought it might look nice in front of the tree, but maybe not just wondering what you think. I would like something that flowers all summer and maybe into autumn.

My sister has just got a bee hive. The bees are coming in May/June I would like to plant a “bee bar”! ie flowers and other plants which entice bees in the garden. Appreciate if you could provide a list of suitable flowers/plants.

I have bought topsoil from a farmer, while digging it over i have found rotten potatoes and stalks in it. Is this soil good enough for growing plants.

Please advise about soil required by fisherman’s rod. I have a few in pots which need to be planted out. Any special aftercare requirements?

Should I pinch out petunias as they grow from seed

Can you recommend any types of wild long grasses to can be set on a south facing bank. I am thinking of a natural looking grass as the garden/bank is located in the countryside next to woodland/ meadows and would like the grass to look like blending into the local vegeatation.

I have a patio area at back of house. there is a flower bed that is shaded from the west about 1 m by 11/2m. what can I put in it?

I would like to know is it good to cut Pampas grass down to 2 feet now in April, given the winter we had last year.

Snowdrops – Garden books say to plant the seeds fresh – does that mean in the green as the seed heads are forming now?

I have really cut back all leaves on African Lilies and there are only small shoots on plants. They are my joy. Will I see flowers this year and whats best treatment to get lots of flowers?

I want to create a small border, but the area i have is exsposed and damp, can you sugest what plants i should use.

I had two phormiums that both looked frazzled by the cold of winter. i phoned my local garden centre who told me to cut them back to ground level. i have done so but am worried what the outcome will be and how long to rejuvenate??

I have approx 150 ft of a narrow bank approx 3 Ft wide approx 45 degree slant south facing . As I can’t mow it, it gets quite unsightly in summer I have just started this year to keep Bees and I was wondering what would you recommend that I sow that would give me … read more

When should I cut back Stipa gigantea and other grasses?

Last year, I planted two outdoor impatiens(busy lizzie) plants inside as house plants, they grew fine. recently took 3 cuttings, they all grew. could i use these new plants for outdoor summer bedding for this year? Would they grow, should I aclimatise them first?

I have lots of germinated seeds, have moved them to unheated glasshouse but most have stopped developing they are exactly the same HELP i dont want to lose them now having succeeded this far.

Have garden bed in semi-shade, backed up by Pyracantha Firethorn (30-40 years old). Put down weed suppressant & slate mulch 2 years ago and now almost all of my new shade-tolerant plants are dead (except Phormium). Is the mulch preventing proper drainage and not allowing the plants to grow? The soil is heavy/clay and never … read more

I was given a shamrock plant in a little pot, With no previous experience of them, What way should I treat it to keep it flurishing ie soil, feed, container,site etc. Thanks

I have limited room in a school garden, crocuses have been planted in a bed with some daffodils but over the next few weeks I want to plant the bed with vegetables, can the bulbs be lifted and stored for next year, or should I plant the veg in with them? If the crocuses are … read more

again i have this plant that i would love to look up and find our a bit about it? Thanks collette

i got this plant as a cutting from a friend and would love to know a little beit more about it.

I have large Phormiums. Last year for the first time the plants had flowers. The number of dead and damaged leaves is growing.The plants look rather messy at the moment. Should I cut out the dead leafs, leave them and hope for improvement, or are the plants over their top and should be removed (heaven … read more

Had beautiful lillies in my garden for the past 3 years but discovered after the winter frost they are gone from my garden all i found was a burnt heap on the ground will they come back or have they completely died?

What flowers will be in bloom in May I have First Communion and want garden to be as colourful as possible? Thanks

I’m a 13 year old girl living in the country in Kildare and I’m investing in a garden , the only problem is I’ve never gardened before ! I’ve browsed the internet but cant find what I want . I need advise on how , where and what to do?

I had my garden planted up professionally last Summer. It’s small and mostly container/sleeper beds. The attached photos show an exotic cactus like plant that has struggled over the last few freezing months. The leaves have now gone mushy. Can you advise if it’s dead or if there’s anything that I can do now to … read more

I have just transplanted summer bedding seedlings, lobelia, viola and one other type. I currently have them in a sunny spare room as I dont have a greenhouse. Will this be too warm for them or could they go out into the garage?

I enjoyed your article on “Golden Spangles”.I think eranthis is a delightful plant and I’m sure I have ideal conditions for it in my garden.I’ve often looked for seeds or tubers in a garden shop but have never seen it for sale. Can you direct me to a supplier please?

I bought a potted muscari, is it possible to plant it now or should i wait until the frosty weather passesKatie

I have sweet pea in small pots that have been grown from seed. They’re only 2 inches high and I have them indoors. I haven’t grown from seed before and have no idea what do next. Nights here are still very frosty.

It is March. Can I plant tulip bulbs now?

I bought 6 packets of bulbs, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and narcissi last Autumn. For a variety of reasons, I never got around to planting them but am considering doing it now.Is that a good idea or should I just keep them til next Autumn?

Could you recommend a phormium that does not get too tall (or wide!) The ones that I have in my garden have become too big for the bed they are in but I love their architectural shape. Is there a variety that is just green, without any variegation?

do you know of anywhere that these bulbs can be purchased in ireland, have seen them on English shopping channel but they wont deliver to Ireland

I am trying to figure out the name of a plant I have seen recently. It is a bright orange ornamental grass. I think it may be Phormium ‘Jester’ but not quite sure. Could this be right? I know there are many other species and cultivars. It seems to be a very popular plant.

starting up new tidy towns committee what would be best flowers to plant at roundabouts and also in large pots around town flowers that will last most of summer should we stick with same colours or not also when will be the best time to plant

Can you suggest a tree or shrub that might survive in a pot on an apartment balcony which gets very little sun and a lot of wind?

can lilies which are in the open ground be divided now in February? if not when should this be done?

can rheum palmatum be divided? my plant is about 3 years old and its now got some very small re buds. the base of the plant is like 2 soda breads side by side

Where can I find an electronic device to deter cats and dogs off lawn.. preferably one that works and not too expensive!

I have a group of 10 boys aged 10 – 13 years who are interested in gardening. I want to know what the best seeds/bulbs to pot at this time of the year. The pots will need to be kept indoors at all time. I would prefer something with a flower so they can see … read more

I sowed seed in a tray a week ago the little shoots are appearing now i have lobilia petunia daisys i need to know how long do i leave them in this tray what is the next step i am a complete novice so if you could keep it simple please.

I have a small fern area with 2 year old plants.They had been doing very well.3 of them were severely damaged during the freeze and at least one of them looks dead.Will they come back of their own accord?What can I do to help them? Do you need more information? John Cullen

I have x2 yellow bamboo trees planted – they are down approx. x5 years and had been doing really well. Up until last year, they had grown to a height of approx. 10 – 12 ft tall, really full and green in summer but last Summer, they barely had any leaves at all. This happened … read more

I woiuld like suggestions for two fast growing bamboo species. I have a small patio with an adequate raised bed at end. at one end of this i wish to put a reed screen in a semi-circle and two fast growing bamboos contained, in front, i wish to half secretly bury a beautiful contemplative buddha … read more

Just before winter you identified my beast of bamboo and suggested saving it from root rot, i lifted it from planter put in black bin bag, made holes and lifted it onto raised bed tying it at its centre.it survived very well indeed, thank GOD, will i now plant to its new quarter barrel home, … read more

I bought a large potted bamboo last summer and it was thriving untill i noticed today its dried out on most its shoots and lost its leaves. i removed it from the pot and planted it in the open soil. the compost from its pot seemed very moist. Am i doing the right thing to … read more

I have several New Zealand Flax which after the recent severe weather are now lying flat. Do you think they will recover?

I planted two Geum Mrs Bradshaw plants last summer (the red flowering ones). I got very few flowers but a lot of foliage. The foliage is still strong and vibrant in spite of snow ice etc. Do I cut it back soon and how can I encourage flowers?

I bought in garden centre peony..roots..they are in plastic bag and has very little start to grow ..When is best time to put them outside in to garden? On the pack they said January -May.. At the moment is a little bit low temperature ..am I right?

I am a beginner gardener and I have a grass which I think may be a Stipa Gigantea. The clump of leaves is very untidy and has spread so that it is now covering neighbouring plants. How can I prevent this spread and is it possible to thin out the clump.? Also should I cut … read more

How can I get rid of ivy that is trailing into my flowerbed. It is on a stone wall that runs along the back of the bed.

Please can you tell me if there is any reason why I cannot grow Sweet Pea in the same ground next year? Last year’s display was the best yet.

After the recent cold weather, my phormiuns have gone all limp and floppy. Will they come back?I also have a large phormium. It is about 6ft tall and wide. It is completely overgrown and needs to be cut back. How much can I cut off it?Also is it possible for blight to affect a well … read more

Planted loads of ice plants from cuttings over the past couple of years (small succulent looking leaves, purple flower)… all taking off nicely as ground cover. However, the recent cold makes them look very dead! Will they recover in the spring? Can you suggest alternative low ground cover for S facing slope, lots of sun, … read more

I recently got a huge bag of daffodil bulbs from a friend of mine. Trouble is, my garden is not landscaped yet. Will I have to plant them into pots now, or can I keep them as they are in an onion bag high and dry in my garage rafters for planting next year?

This bamboo is called for me ‘the beast’ and i love it, but i do not know what type it is, where can i discover this info! i will try and add the photos now. the leaves are large about six inches long, the dark part of the stem is a very deep green, large … read more

I bought alpines in tiny pots end of summer, waterfall feature now working. can i plant the alpines on the fake rocks and mixed real rocks NOW, how do i do it? they look a bit worse for wear. what happens if the pump or electrics break down and all is established in and around … read more

I dug a large bamboo from a garden, it became waterlogged in a planter so put it into a bin bag, holes for drainage and placed on top of a raised bed, also tied bin bag round middle. still very wet and sodden, can i plant it into a wooden quarter barrel now with plenty … read more

I bought an amazing canna plant this year which thrived all summer. It’s in a large pot, in potting compost, sunny position. In the last couple of weeks the leaves are turning brown/black. The compost is dry to the touch. Is this normal for them in winter? Do I need to put fleece around them? … read more

I have tulips in pots, whats the best way of overwintering. I have an unheated greenhouse would they be ok if left in that, do I cut the dead stems back to soil level or is it better to let them die back completely and take the stem off then. Also, will I need to … read more

My friend is getting married in Sicily next year and is having calla lillies in her bouquet. As the bridesmaid dresses will be in green can you advise what green flowers we could use with the lilies?

I replaced my outdoor Geranium which was killed by last years frost. My new ones thrived and bloomed all summer in a large pot outside my back patio door. In order to prevent a recurrance of last years disaster, I recently brought the pot into the kitchen and placed it beside the French Door window. … read more

Hi Gerry, I’m from Portugal I have a rocky place and want to make a garden. The walls are very rocky and its very expensive to remove them. Should I cover it or tray to make the best of it?

Wedding. Its an in-between time in the garden. Mine is mainly a summer garden hence the pots.

When would be the best time to put out wild flower seeds of e.g. poppies or teasel, now or in spring?

I went out today to cut back my Echinacea purpurea and I couldn’t believe what I saw…. the seeds in the seed head have germinated! I very carefully planted them into potting compost will they survive? Have you ever came across this before ? I have attached 2 photographs though they aren’t great.

In the December issue of The Irish Garden there’s 2 pieces about cyclamen, one on p5 which start into flower in dec and one on p71 which talks about them being in flower since early august….are they the same kind of cyclamen? how long should August flowering ones last?

My daughter is getting married at the end April next year and i want to brighten up around the house and patio with pots and containers. what would be the best plants and bulbs to sow in them. i am afraid that daffodils will be gone by then. my garden looked fab this year and … read more

I am planning my wedding which is next June and really like the pink/purple daisies. I was planning to grow these myself to bring down cost and wondering what the flower is called, where to purchase them online, where is the best place to grow them and when and when do they bloom.

Just wondering am I doing this right. I put begonia tubers directly from the baskets into a tray of multipurpose compost and half filled it with the compost. They are in a shed

Are the bold-coloured primroses that you see in hanging baskets and borders perennial?

I live in Bray co Wicklow and about a mile in from the beach. Our garden is quite sheltered and usually pelargoniums and fuchias and such like survive the winter very well. However this year Ihave taken some cuttings of fuchias, penstamon and abutilon and also have some other perennials in pots with a view … read more

The lower leaves of my chryanths have turned yellow with red veins is this diseases, deficiency or virus?

I have some mallows of approximately 2 years in my garden and I would like to move them. Would it be appropriate to move them now. If now is the right time, should I first cut them back, as they are currently flowering.

I grew giant sunflowers this year with great success even if the flowering was slow and then short lived.However I’m of the opinion that these flowers are just a one off and you must start from scratch again next year. Is this so ?

I’ve recently cleaned out my pots and am thinking of replanting them. i wonder what compost i should use, multipurpose or a mixture?I plan on planting lilies and crinum. bulbs in general i supposealso do you recommend water retaining gel?

I have been given two Chinese lantern plants, physalis, about 12″ high. Can I plant them outside in the garden please?Any tips for taking care of them much appreciated

I have recently obtained a load of newly cut bark chip. How long do I need to wait before spreading it on planted areas? Six months?

What is the best time of year to move tall grasses like miscanthus please?

I want to move a New Zealand flax, its about 4ft and I was hoping to put it in a large container. Will it survive in a container and what is the best time of year to move it?

I have searched all over for seeds for winterflowering plants, eg. pansies. Nary a one to be found anywhere i looked earlier this year. As you know if one wants to fill beds in a 3/4 acre site with plenty of winter flowers, buying them from a garden center can be a pocket buster, especially … read more

Create flower bed in lawn. Should I use Roundup or just dig over ?

What type of flower can i plant for autumn /winter at entrance to both sides of my house which will look well?

why did the croscosmia not bloom? it is the large red flowered variety. the flower buds were there but didn’t open. they flowered last year and the previous years.

why would Agapanthus not flower? it is the blue flowered one. they are growing in a corner with high walls. they have always flowered before.

What are the best flowers for the month of May,and when is the time to plant them,as i have a communion that month.

A lot of what I think is called livermosses (Conocephalum con., Lunularia cruc. etc.) are growing between my bedding plants and covering large patches of soil. How bad is that? Should I remove them? How?

I’d like to plant bulbs amongst the lawnHowever, come the time to mow the lawn, can I mow over the spent flowers?

When is the best time to save nasturtim seedsis it when they are green and ripeor when they go brown?

I bought one plant during the summer and had hopes to multiply this as it is a lovely foliage plant, I have now 4 plants but sadly they are covered in mildew, what can I do to get rid of this or what is the cause?

I sowed cosmos from seed this year and succeeded in growing three plants! They were a reasonable height but didn’t flower. I had them in a planter not directly in the ground to try and keep the slugs away. Is that the reason? TaShirley

Ihave gathered seeds from Sweet William, Aquagila, Pansys and other flowers I just don’t know the name of, now I want to know when and how to plant them. I have a polytunnel and a glass room in our house but I was wondering would it be best to plant them out in a clean … read more

I planted some flowers in a bed & threw on some multipurpose plant food (grey granules) & after a week the bed was covered in little two-leaf green shoot things. Nicer looking than weeds & very easy to pull up as their roots were just below the surface but I suspect weeds none the less. … read more

We have quite a large established bed of Jersey lilies which are in full bloom at the moment. Unfortunately we are about to embark on an extension and need to move the flowerbed (starting on-site in 6-8 weeks approx). Construction will take around 12 months.Can we lift the bulbs (clean them off etc) and store … read more

bought a few pots of cyclamen today. all in beautiful colours and a surprisingly beautiful scent.i’m new to them and vice versa…will they come back year after yeardo they need anything in particular at plantingas its a corm do they need to be planted deeper than pot level

Any idea what plant this is? It stands about 30cm high and was discovered hidden in among a growth of nettles.

Is it too late now (mid-Sept) to take cuttings of geraniums and fuchsias to pot up for next year? When is the ideal time?

How far back do you cut long stemmed flowers that have finished flowering?

Any tips on how to prervent small wild birds uprooting flower bulbs? Bulbs are mainly bluebells with some dwarf daffodillls.

I had quite a few Cannas for the past couple of years. They produced a lot of new bulbs, which I potted up in the greenhouse, and later moved most of them out, but kept a couple in the greenhouse. They were well watered and fed. Not a single one has flowered this year, although … read more

Is it too early to plant tulips now,end august. when they are finished blooming do they need to be lifted and does their dying foliage spread disease among tulips?

I have 2 healthy pampas grass which now have weeds (bindweed?) growing up the middle of them. it is very hard to get as due to the sharp leaves of the pampas. is there any easy solution to removing the weeds?

I potted some clippings from hedgeing, some didnt take. What can I use that mosspeat for?

my gladioli flowers have white spots read about it said to dig bulbs and cover in fungicide powder for the winter but cant find one captan 50 do one but it should be diluted in water any ideas.

love tulips but do they have to be lifted each year?

I have tried spraying the leaves with diluted washing up liquid before spraying with Roundup to no avail. How can I get rid of it or stop it invading other plants in a small bed.

have 3 calla lilies about 5 years. this year only one produced lilies, My neighbours is covered in lilies all year..should I cut off the old lilies or leave them?Same with “red hot poker ” should i cut away dead flower?I put chicken pellets mixed with compost on them last spring.

I have recently bought a dahlia and planted it in my garden, while watering it the other night I noticed a lot of insects crawling all over the petals, I can only describe them as very similar to silverfish.Do you know what they are and how I can get rid of them as they are … read more

Can you tell me know what the tallest sunflower is in Ireland? i cant find an answer any where please.

I recently bought three garden mums which i planted in containers. I am deadheading now to allow the new blooms underneath to grow. I am wondering how i should care for these over the winter please.Do i leave in containers or plant into the ground? Thank you

I bought a ginger plant at Farmleight plant fair yesterday thinking i could grow it outside in my “tropical plant style” bed but have found it hard to find any information on the plant and what little i have found seems to indicate that it IS a tropical plant that likes warmth and humidity which … read more

Can you please tel me what could i plant in my garden this time of the year August for the Spring? I have grown Sweet Peas in my conservatory is it ok to plant them outside they are beginning to flower?

I’m trying to find an attractive flowering plant or a few plants to grow in a container by my mum’s grave. I’d like to have something that will last the winter and look nice and bright, have you any suggestions please? The area is quite windy and exposed,

have two trailing begonias in a container one orange and one white the orange is perfectly healthy but the blooms on the white one are discoloured and very unhealthy looking they are also falling of before fully formed,the foliage is healthy.

Both the montbretia and peonie roses in the past two years have produced very few flowers. Previously they were very prolific. Foliage in both cases is plentiful and healthy. What do they need?

Was going to keep some honey-bees next year but not sure of the flowers that i sould i start growing this yaer im a 🙂 ECO planter 🙂 where i go around planding up along the road side where ever i can do so.

Is it possible to rid a garden of Scutch Grass as it is growing and weaving it’s way through a layer of Mypex and Pink Granit.

I’ve just cut the dead flowers of some Arum Lilies as seed was forming. Can I sow these seeds to produce more lillies next year?

now that the lilies are more or less finished for the year, whats the best way to propogate them? are the scales pulled off and put into a bag of moss peat and allowed to sprout shoots?

when sowing seed of monkshood do i sow them in pots or in the open ground? if in pots do i keep the pot indoors during winter

What uses, if any, can be made of spent potting compost, e.g that used to grow annual flowers in containers?

I bought my plant a 2 weekends ago and within a week the leaves started to wilt. I thought it might be because it wasn’t getting sufficient water on our porch so I moved it so it would get plenty of the rain we are getting this Summer. Tonight I cut off the flowers which … read more

About 2 years ago we constructed a new garden bedIn Autumn and Spring over the last 2 years we have saturated the bed with all kinds of perennial bulbs mostly purchased at Lidyl and Dunnes Stores.Now I am suspicious but not 100% sure that a significant number of the summer perennials that came out last … read more

Tall Dahlia leaves on the bottom half are yellow round the edges plant otherwise looks very healthy what could be the cause

I have lots of lillies in pots and in the ground. They have largely stopped flowering by now and I am wondering if I should let the stalks die back naturally or cut the stalks. Would appreciate your advice

Can you tell me what this plant is, I don’t remember buying it and I now have it in my garden and I love it.

I purchased this plant about a year and a half ago and have it growing in a shady, humus-type soil. However, everytime it seems to begin to thrive, some of it’s leaves get a brown die-back at their base. Is there anything I can do to stop this as it is a beautiful plant with … read more

During the last week my Dahlias shoots are turning yellow. To date I have been very sucessfull growing Dahlias.

I am new to gardening and recenty planted two campanula bernice under a red robin standard tree in our back garden which is east west facing. I planted them on the sunnier side of the gaden. I’ve been giving them a liquid feed once a week but they don’t look very happy! The flowers seem … read more

Is this an unusual year for wild poppies. Most of the wild poppies in my garden are doubles. These are some in the from the front garden.

I am attending a gardening course and part of it is to identify various garden plants (flowers shrubs trees etc) Please recommend a good easy laymans guide for this. I like the Royal Horticulture New Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers, but it is very expensive. I also like the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening, but likewise … read more

The plant is growing strongly but in the last couple of weeks the leaves from the ground up the stem for about twelve inches are dying ,what can be done to rectify this

For the second year, my eryngiums are not flowering. They are planted 4 years and are variety Blue Star.

In container fern fronds dying going brown after this winter

have a dahalia (Kendra Valentine)growing vigourously about two foot tall but as yet no side shoots should I pinch out the growing tip?

I have two Senetti plants whose leaves are covered in ugly, brown, wriggly lines. A look on the net tells me that this is leafminer fly, and most sites say that it is rarely that damaging to plants. However both senetti are now dying, and it looks like so many of the leaves are affected … read more

I noticed small light brown grubs on two of my containers of plants the containers mainly had pansy in them. I dumped them in the bin and I noticed that the pest were down to the roots in the soil. What were these and what caused it. I have several containers but only two were … read more

advise re suitable planting. Area 12ft x 20 ft in lawn and shrubs @ back wall (spotted laurel berberris, skimmia,) background and low planting around sign required to dress it up. sign size 4 ft high x 3 ft wide approx

What flowers can I plant now that will flower and be 3 foot high by the last week of August?

can hellebore leaves be cut right back at this time of year-june?

Im a total beginner & interested in changin a boring back lawn to colourful flower beds etc.,what flowers should i sow in June? I need kind of step by step please & thanks!!

Is there any way at all of banishing bamboo from my garden forever without using Roundup or any other weedkiller?

have attached a photo of my wonderful Crambe. Planted last year and only produced leaves which the caterpillars promptly razed to the ground! Loads of horse manure and garlic spray produced this beautiful plant – but its in the wrong place. Didn’t plan for the size. it hids the lupins and whorlflower and aconite and … read more

Gerry, Do you have any idea what variety of geranium this is? Michael

Should I cut the tops sedums.what is meant by the ‘Chelsea chop’?

Recently bought some begonia plants at a garden centre, if I cut these back at the end of the summer and store will they grow again next year?

have you suggestions for plants or flowers for a grave that gives colour all year round and that are easy maintenance low growing .there is an area of the grave about 12inches wide and six feet across where i can plant into the ground.the plants would have to be shallow roots as i am not … read more

i NEED A LISTING OF PERENNIALS SHRUBS TREES and roses which are particularly resistent to slugs and snails at the same time suitable for this high mountain area of Roundwood Co.wicklow

I live in a detached house in an estate, and either side of the house (in the back garden), there is a narrow strip of grass which I want to plant up. This area is partly shaded as there are houses on both sides.The area is about 12ft by 1.5ft.In 2007 I gravelled one side … read more

I attach pic of unusual plant which has appeared in our garden – can you solve the mystery? We don’t know what it is.

I have built a container 8’x10″x10″ to hang on south facing wall in my yard which is the sunniest part of my yard but is shaded from 3pm. I have been advised not to drill holes for drainage in the wood as it would weaken the structure. Really it is a large hanging basketWhat drainage … read more

I have a verbena bonarensis for the past two yrs and dont know how i should prune it if at all? the new seasons flowers are beginning to emerge now but the old ones are there since last yr. should it be cut down after flowering or what i am afraid to go near it … read more

I love hostas but when I plant them they’re always eaten by slugs or snails. Any advice, other than slug pellets? Are there any similar plants that don’t attract slugs?

The soil in my garden is composed of very heavy stiff clay. I want to plant a border and have the area dug. I’m going to dig in well rotted horse manure to try to improve the soil. I have a load of bark mulch that has been on a different part of the garden … read more

I am concerned about the bee problem at the moment. And I was wondering what type of plants will flower all year round for them to find food.

can I transplant bamboo from ground to pot it is a year in ground new shoots have appeared height about 6 ft.

I re-potted 3 small nasturtium plants into a large pot and they have been thriving – the leaves are huge! However I still see no sign of any buds or flowers despite the fact that I planted them about 2 months ago and they have clearly been growing well. I water regularly except during wet … read more

My acanthus spinosa has some sort of leaf mould. It looks as though someone has sprinked a greyish talcum powder on to the leaves. One of the plants is about to flower so can’t be too unhealthy; but another doesn’t look so good. What do you recommend?

there is someting making a hole in the ground the size of golfball.Its eating the inside of the tulip bulbs but leaving the outside cover.I dont know what it is or what to do?

Need to know the name of the old fashioned trailing osteospermum with light green non glossy leaves, pink with dark purple centre. Can’t find it anywhwere only the modern shrubby glossy variety. Unfortunately it died out in my garden and wondering if you could recommend a supplier

I got a present of a libertia pereg Gold Leaf and am having trouble finding some info on it . I really wanted to know if it grows slowly or will it be tall its about a foot tall now. I havnt planted it out yet.

I received stock plug plants today 22/05/09. The are about two inches high and strong looking the cultivation info enclosed says to pot them on and then harden them off outside. could/should I just harden them off in their container andplantdirectly into bed? i feel that I am behind with my bedding plants.

Please can you tell me how to protect my Echium fatuosum from frost.

What has happened to the bees,I have noticed a complete lack of them on all the flowers.

Could you tell me what perennial plants that like limy soil and are low maintenance?

In its third year my paeonia has 1 bud, but no more. It does not seem to be opening and the bud is covered with ants. it is in a south facing raised bed, but would not have much shelter. soil is slightly limey and fairly rich. plant is about 2 feet high. any suggestion

I’m looking for Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ to plant in front of a purple Cordyline (Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ behind). At what time of year are Dahlias generally available to buy from garden centres?

I’m looking for something to plant under a green Cordyline for a bit of spring/early-summer interest. There’s a yellow-green Euonymus to the left of it, Hypericum Hidcote behind, spring-flowering Spirea to the right. I thought something low with a blue flower might fit in nicely. Any suggestions for what might fit the bill?

Can I use Elodium and Bullrush detritus from pond for my compost heap?

We have a new garden we have just finished clearing out (it was in a landfill state when we bought it) and have finally started to plant. Can you advise on what flowers and plants would be good for the less formal /wild flower look. Also there is a corner at the back which gets … read more

What is the difference between the ordinary black beetles and the vine weevil? are the ordinary ones good for the garden?

Very new to gardening and dont know what i am doing ,i have very tall tulips in pots and dont know what to do with them now .they kinda look as if they are coming to the end of their time .do i just throw them out and fill pots with somehing else , i … read more

how to prepare hanging baskets and types of summer plants for same

I bought these bulbs last minute long after they should have been planted..not sure if they are golden ducat- I think golden ducat is all the same colour.

Could you suggest perennial plants that like lime soil and are low maintenance as I am at school all week!

I have a lovely white Camassia coming into bloom soon.It has about 14 flower stems.Should I divide it after flowering or when. Am I right in thinking that there are tuberous/bulbs?

I have a new border in which I have planted a mixture of spring and summer flowering bulbs and shrubs. The bulbs include lilies, tritelia, tulips, and Ixias. I have also sown some annuals, including california poppies, calendula and nasturtiums. In order to keep down the perrenial weeds which include creeping buttercup I would like … read more

Could you suggest a cream double peony that i could plant alongside sarah bernhardt variety that i have already planted in the garden. Want a cream not a pure white colour.

I planted a black bamboo last year and due to lack of water it now looks like it may be dying. The majority of the leaves are yellowy-brown in colour. Is there anything I can do to save it now? Should I feed it with anything in particular or trim it maybe?

I’m a beginner at gardening and I have quite a big garden or best put, lawns of grass. I would like to start planting flowers, shrubs etc but the soil is very limy. Can you advise on how best to deal with this and what plants etc would best suit the ground?

What would you advise to start planting to get myself up and running as a new gardiner? I have a small back and front garden. south facing.paved in the back with plenty of room for plants on the edge or in pots and all grass in front. I bought and planted sunflower seeds in a … read more

Have cats myself, have tried the pepper and a product called cat a pult, neither seems to be detering them from peeing in my bark!! Love cats but I love my garden too, any ideas how to keep them away?

I just need some information regarding the best way to propagate my Iris plants.

Is there any spray i can put on the soil in a flower bed to kill weeds,and be able to plant in it soon after. i have grass roots i think is switch grass, they are yellow/white. and some other hard to get rid of weeds. that have come up after cleaning out before. an … read more

I have been having problems with growing seedings in my propagator. They all die, they flop over and they have very thin stems and don’t form their true leaves.

.I’m trying to get rid of two bamboo plants. I’ve dug up one, root and all, (I didn’t spray)but the other is a bigger plant and and has spread further. Help please. It has spread to an area of about 18sq metres up against a beautiful Wisteria. What do I do?

My Iris unguicularis is very untidy after flowering. Can I cut the leaves back. If so, when? Thanks !

How do I trim 9ft high bamboo out-door plants,and when is the best time to do this?

I have some self seeded young ivy plants growing in a bed planted with cottage garden style perennials. Can I leave them be and let them be ground cover, or will they be too vigorous and choke my perennials? (e.g. lavender; hellebore; crocosmia emily mcKenzie; alchemilla mollis; spring bulbs)

Hi Gerry, I would like to know what are the best flowers to plants in a housing estate (general area) whcih look good, are inexpensive and need minimum care (if such a perfect plants exists!!). I love the spring bulbs of daffs and tulips but is there an equivalent for summer? Many Thanks

Help this wild garlic is taking over my front garden and I spotted some in my back garden.Many Thanks, Carol Richardson.

I have Anemone seeds that I bought for AWARE’s Daisy days campaign at least a year of not two years ago. Would they still be okay to plant now, and if so how do I go about it? I have very very little gardening experience but I am setting about changing this!.

Hi Gerry, I’m hoping to give some colour by planting the top and face of a drystone retaining wall. At present its covered by ivy on top with a few foxgloves on the face.Large trees above and grisilina hedge behind. Thanks in advance

I am planting grass and wild flowers into 8″ wide bowls for wedding centre pieces for next May. What flowers would you suggest that will be in bloom first week in May and when do i plant them? What tips do you have?

Hi Gerry, At least ten, maybe more years ago I planted some alliums in a bed in my garden. A year or so later I decided to get rid of them. However they will not go away and have spread all over the garden. Every year since then, at this time of the year I … read more

Hi Gerry, My garden is very overgrown but I need to do some work which involves using a mini-digger and (unfortunately) weedkiller. The problem is that lots of old bulbs-daffodils, crocuses and clumps of the most beautiful bluebells have survived the years of neglect. The crocuses and daffs are now in flower and the bluebells … read more

Gerry, I was wondering, is now the best time to sow summer bedding for seeds?

Hi Gerry, I planted a number of seeds trays two weeks ago today, and made the error of re-using some potting compost that I had in other trays that I used over winter, which had developted an algae/moss growth on top. As a result, a number of my trays contain the re-appearance of this alage … read more

I have a problem with several cats using my flower bed at the front of my house as a toilet. What can I do to prevent this.

Hi Gerry, I sowed seed in trays about 2 weeks ago.Lots have germinated but a good no. are falling over and dieing when about 15-20mm.high. I am keeping the compost damp. Any ideas?

Hi Gerry! Do you know where I could buy an old-style voilet plant (not African violet, or the wild violet)? Thanks !

Hello Gerry, Could you tell me the name of this flower in the plant pot, usually purply blue in colour?- please see attached photo.When is the best time to plant this flower and where can i buy it? Thank you for your help!

This appears every spring in a shady woody area and is bright red and orange.

Hi GerryI have housemartins nesting under my eve this last few years and their droppings are destroying my flowers.Will placing a mirror or CD in the apex of the eve deter them from building by causing a reflection of themselves or have you any other methods to stop them building?The are also on my garage … read more

Hi Gerry, could you tell me what plants I can plant now that will come up for the spring? I would love some colour in the garden. Thanks.

Hi Gerry, at the moment I am preping bed for dahlia bulbs.I have weeds with very long roots and runners. Can you recomment a weed killer that I can use AND will still be safe to plant dahlia bulbs in mid March ? Thanks .

Gerry, I planted Penstemon late last summer but neglected to cut off the stems in Autumn. They are about 450mm high now with straggley stems and leaves! Should I cut them down now or leave them to get through the summer.

In seed packets with large amount of seeds ie 750 or 1250 .How do I sow seeds from packets of 1250The packet says sow thinly What does this mean ,Also the packet says ” Sow seeds in consecutive sowings ” for continuous flowering What does this mean ? Many Thanks

Gerry, I want to move daffodils which are in the wrong place but not now as I d’ont want to damage any other plants which I can’t see yet(Dahlia,Hosta, etc.)Can I transplant just before they die down in late spring?

Hello Gerry, can plants be sent to Ireland from me in the UK? one of my ‘friends’ has asked for some seeds when my poppies flower which I guess is ok but I would like to send her a few hellebore plants as a present. Thank you

I have various types of bulbs that I want to mix in containers to have all year round colour at my front door. Is is possible to mix bulbs or would over crouding result in a poor show. The containers I have are 25cm x 50cm deep and 30cm x 60cm deep. The bulps I … read more

hi gerry could you give me a few names of flowers that flower in may and have good colour please i have large garden

which flowers to plant now for the summer

I PLANTED MANY DAFFODILS TULIPS AND IRISES 2YEARS AGO. 1ST SPRING THEY WERE GREAT BUT LAST SPRING VERY FEW OF THEM FLOWERED. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO NOW TO PREVENT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN?

I have planted some Hyacinth bulbs in my backyard previously bought in a shop as a display. They were planted Sept and have not bloomed only green leaves. What I have done wrong?

Hi Gerry, Forgot to ask you about daffodil bulbs. We received a bag of daffodil bulbs last week and were wondering is it too late to plant them now. Thanks again, Rachel. any help appreaciated, Thanks very much Siobhy

Hi Gerry, We are looking for flowers to grow for our school garden. We have conformations in March and were wondering is there anything we could plant with the kids in January that would flower by march? Kins Regards, Rachel.

Gerry, could i still set alium bulbs or is the ground too cold after recent frost. If not could i set them in pots and leave in ‘plastic’ greenhouse until spring. many Thanks mary rowley

My wife recently purchased bulbs – mirabilis and hemerocallis were 2 among them. When researching what soil, shade, etc. they like I found that they may be problematic. One website advised washing your hands after coming in contact with mirabilis. Another advised that the seeds of hemerocallis were highly toxic. As we have young children … read more

Hi Gerry,could you pleases advise me on how and when is the best time to divide a long time established old paeonia.It may be 40 years old or so.Thanks.

I planted lilies in pots sept/oct and they are now growing upto 6 inch, will they be ok or will frost damage the young shoots.What should I do with them, I have moved some pots to unheated greenhouse to protect them,did I do right? Mal Harris.

Hi Gerry, I am trying to source the seeds of a shrub called Kochia Scoparia Tricophylla.Is there any local seed supplier you can suggest or one in the UK .I would also consider getting some young plants from a nursery if available.Rgds, Greengrass

I have a 10 ft yellow stemmed bamboo. It appears to be clump forming and is happy in the position it is in. I would like to move it but don’t want to kill it. Is moving advisable? If so at what time of year would be best?

Two yrs ago we cut away some of our lawn and made a large area for shrubs and flowers which we covered with bark.Now parts of it are waterlogged.I think the bark was a bad idea.What can I do as I would like to set some bulbs for spring. Regards, newdawn How deep are Alder … read more

annual winter flower/plant?please and thanks

I have bought some packets of dry root perennials from Lidl. They appear to be roots only in dry moss.How should I plant these? Or if I don’t want to plant immediately is it safe to keep them in the packets?

will i need to protect this shrub in winter here in Roundwood

I planted red hot poker bulbs in my front garden(west facing) 3 years ago. They took nearly a year to flower but the problem is when they do flower, the flowers only last approx. 1-2 weeks. I have noticed that they last a lot longer in other parts of the country. I am just wondering … read more

I have lupin in my glasshouse grown from seed which I never planted out as it was too late. What should I do with these for the autumn?

Gerry, as were in Autumn, I have a lot of geraniums in the green house, starting to develope mould. Do and should these be pruned back and if so how?Also, should I prune fushia and Rose trees now? If so, how far back?

do I have to plant my Japanese Blood Grass in ericacious soil? Is it similar to the Rhododendron in it’s needs

Hi Gerry, I have attached a photo.Vanessa

Hi Gerry, I’d appreciate your advice on the following matter.I would like to use decorative bark mulch in my border but Im concerned about my daffodil bulbs.Can daffodil bulbs grow through three inches of decorative bark mulch? Thank you.

Hi Gerry, I have been looking for a plant known as “Mother of Thousands” Saxifraga Stolonifera.tricolour. Can you recommend a garden center that might stock it or could it be available by mail order? I have tried National Garden Center in Kilquade; Johnstown Garden Center and some local ones without success.Any pointers would be greatfully … read more

Hi Gerry, I had a beautiful display from Begonia Bonfire this summer and wondered what is the best way to save it for next year? do i cut it back? lift it? it is in a pot. Thanks

Dear GerryWe have a new property in South-West France (Biarritz) which has two large concrete Jardinieres on the balcony. they have already been lined and filled with compost by the development’s landscapers. We expect to spend a week or so every couple of months there. Would you please have any suggestions how we could plant … read more

HiI have a garden whitch has a circul in the middle and a borden round the edge,i want to put some srubs and things like that in my garden and am not sure what to use

Bronze foliage, same height as Bishop of Llandaff, single flower, white or almost white?Can you identify this, please? Many Thanks.

Hi, I am helping with the gardening at my son’s school. They have a number of flower beds for the children to plant in and we want them to see their plants flower before the end of the school year, ie June 30th. Some beds will be used for spring bulbs and some for vegetables. … read more

the only time my pampas flowered was after i buried my deceased cat beside it! either it was the tear jerking ceremony and prayers or do i need blood and bone meal fertiliser?

Hi Gerry, the caterpillars in our garden have ate through most of our nasturtions. Do you have any suggestions on how to stop them, there wont be much of our garden left soon!! Thanks

My dahlias have been destroyed by slugs probably as the weather favoured slugs. I ahve used slug pellets but they still got destroyed. What could i do for next year as it is too late to save this this year.

Grass like shrub with beautiful orange flower, seen roadside @ dingle peninsula. How and when do I propogate?

Hello,The former owners of our house planted Bamboo in the center of a formal lawn. As it was sprouting up everywhere we cut it down – now how do we get rid of the roots and shoots? We’ve tried by constantly cutting the shoots as they appear but that’s not working. Thanks ,Eidin.

I have a Hellebores Orientalis that done well all last winter under the canopy of a sycamore. This summer it’s health has declined rapidly. I’ve read it should have been kept from Mid day sunlight….its position did leave it open to this.Many leaves appeared scorched and then some blackened and died off. I have acidic … read more

I’ve 4 water lilies in a sunny pond they flowered the first year but have not flowered since although they are growing bigger and seem healthy. please help thanks

have very small patch 12×6 foot north facing with shallow wet soil, need suggestions about what ground cover plants i could use as an alternative to grass, preferably with year-round leaves/cover. thanks.

I have a gunnera growing which dies back in the winter. Is there any way of protecting it in the winter?

I have sunflowers blooming at the moment – the tallest of which is approx 10ft – what is the tallest they would normally grow in Ireland ?

HiI bought loads of new summer flowers a few weeks ago, i bought some window boxes and other colourful flowers but all the heads seem to be dying and loosing their colour, i water them and gave them miracle-grow but they are still dying can you give me any tips on what to do to … read more

Gerry, I am at present growing lupins from seed when is it safe to remove to plant in the garden?

Gerry, I have a good quantity of (old) stable manure. My beds are pretty mature, now, with plants growing into/against each other, leaving no space for manure to be put in between. Is there a handy way of getting manure to the plants (perhaps mixing with water to make a slurry and pour it out)?

I have been growing various varieties of nasturtiums from seed for the last few years, but they have never seeded themselves, I find myself having to get new seeds each year. Do you know of anywhere where I might be able to get hold of nasturtium seeds capable of producing fertile seeds themselves?

I use Gypsophila in my flower arrangements, can you grow it in Ireland,also can it be bought in garden centres, I have never seen it,thanks

would you please tell me where I would get the above plant.

Hello Gerry,A couple of friends of mine and myself would like to know the name of this plant. We have looked in lots of books and at pictures but we can’t agree on anything. I’ve attached a picture of it. Thanks for the advice on the cherries earlier in the year,at least I know it … read more

hi gerrywe have a siamese daliaits petals have come off now but we kept the stem and i also took some photos last year we had a spiral dasy also we have a photo of that what would cause these mutations or are they natural?

Hello Gerry, I have notices yellow leaves with black spots on my Busy Lizzies. What is the cause of this and how can i treat it. I am using Phostrogen to feed them once a week.Ann Byrne

ALL of the buds of my ecchinnecea are dyeing and turning black and dry before they have a chance to flower. Is this familiar to you?

I planted a large number of sunflowers this year and they are about 1.5m high at the moment

There is mature woodland on two sides of my garden with an abundance of ferns growing. I would like to transplant a small number of (mature) ferns into a shady bank inside my garden and was wondering if they can withstand tranplanting and whst is the best way to do this? (when etc)

Busy lizzies are being eaten at the root and dying away. Any idea what might be causing this?

I have dried out lobelia due to lack of watering while I was recently away. Would it regrow if I cut it back – similar to pansies at this time of year? I am saturating it with water at the moment as best I can. Its in pots. Thanks Gerry

I have what s called a ash pit if i put soil in it, can I sow there?

Any advice or suggestions regarding grasses that I could use in my garden? I am looking for some grasses and have identified some like Carex but just wondering if there are any others you could suggest that would give spectacular colour and are ideally shallow rooted as they will be near a biocycle unit. My … read more

Could you tell me when and how to cut back a pampas grass please. The leaves seem very sharp!

I have a number of hemerocallis in my garden ; they failed to flower in last no of years ; i divided clumps last year to no avail ; some are in full sun some in partial shade; any ideas?

What is the best time to take a root of arum lily and replant it in my own garden. Are there any other special tips?

I planted sweet pea plants in the end of May in a grow bag. they are growing well and are now nearly 5 ft supported by canes.I have fed and watered them and took out the weak shoots at the bottom.they are in a sunny part of the garden.I don’t know what pinching out means … read more

HI GerryCan i sow perennial seeds now,for flowering next year?I ve read about “seed beds but am still confused. Thank you.

I’ve seen what I think is a geranium growing like clematis over a wall. Is there such a thing as a climbing geranium? And if so, what do I ask for at the garden centre and what care do they need? Cheers.

Gerry – I acquired the attached perennial last winter and would love to know what it is! Thanks.

Dear Gerry, I was given a few lilly bulbs a few years ago, I planted them near a stone wall, every year they produced good stems but the flower buds were all turned downward. This year I moved them thinking they might have been too close to the wall. They are now in a bed … read more

I recently acquired some lupin seed pods. Please advise re planting/caring etc. Do I have to open the pod and sow the seeds individually, or just sow the pod as a whole? Many thanks. Robin

Hi GerryWhen in Bloom this year I noticed a black bamboo in one of the show gardens. It had been stripped of leaves from the ground to about 4 ft up. It looked very attractive.I would like to do the same with my bamboo at home but wonder if it is advisable.My bamboo is about … read more

A friend of mine has a Pampas Grass that she has had for 10 years. In all that time, it has only produced one flower! It is situated near to a stream (but not right by it) and gets full sun. There has been plenty of growth and it looks healthy. She lives in Sneem … read more

We have some white lobelia we would like to separate to replace some dead plants. How would you do this?

During the high winds last weekend a garden chair fell on to a pot of lilies breaking off three of the six healthy stems. Assuming that these will never flower as their nourishment has been removed should I, when growth has died back, try to remove the bulbs. Many thanks.

I want to sow some flowers in a channel and put down some topsoil first. Will the flowers grow if their is no moisture coming through. Is topsoil for sowing plants on concrete bottom

Gerry I have a paeonia which produces buds and for the past two years only one bud flowers. Can you tell me why. Thanks

This year I grew Nasturtiums having grown them previously from seed. I sowed approx thirty plants which all came up.My question is, in recent days/past week or so, I noticed that some of my plants are appearing to look a little weak and near their end, as you’d see in Autumn. While they have flowered, … read more

This has just finished flowering & is a mass of seed heads . Can I cut it back as it is leggy and potentially unsightly? Or how do I ensure it will be there next year. Fabulous scent.

Hi Gerry,Darren here again. I emailed you recently regarding bulbs.I have another question if you could answer and possibly include in the magazine? However, Id like a a reply before waiting next issue or my plants will be gone :-)I’m 25 and have been gardening for over 13 years. This year is my first year … read more

Gerry, I’m a new member. Name of a deep blue creeper found early summer growing over old walls etc.?

I have two Heuchera Coral Bell Plants in my garden planted in similar areas, one is fantastic and the other is in trouble, the leaves at the base of the plant have become dry and brittle and essentially are dead, is this as a result of bugs and if so what is the best course … read more

Hi we have 2 yellow bamboo trees in the garden that look like they are on the way out…The stalks are green but the leaves look really dry and brittle. They are positioned where the midday sun comes over the house directly onto them. Any ideas as to how I can regenerate them.

I bought a plant of Liriope Muscari about two years and it just deteriorated in ordinary soil, so I dug it up and potted it in ericaceous compost, but it is literally hanging on by a thread. It is a golden leaved variety. Why won’t it thrive? I thought it was an easy plant!

Looking to plant flowers/hedges/plants this summer around a footpath, suffer from hayfever, but would like to know what are the best ones to plant. Preferably I would like something that stay planted all year round, low maintenance, and something that doesn’t grow that high.

HelloMy natural pond has become invaded with tiny black maggotts shaped like a clove but smaller, i tip them out but they multiply, would goldfish eat them or would they eat the goldfish

I feed the garden birds, but most of the trees strong enough to hold feeders overhang my flower beds; the seed the birds drop while feeding falls into the beds and hey presto long tough grass sprouts up among my plants. What can I do, Gerry, Please

when do i plant perennials for each season of the year i.e. do i plant winter perennials in the autumn etc.

I have a few varieties of heuchera, ‘palace purple’, ‘creme brulee’ etc all doing very well, but ‘Caramel’ doesnt seem to thrive, the outer leaves die off and the plant is not vigorous. Is something wrong or is it the variety?

I had groups of blue, white and yellow irises mixed together, but now there seems to be only blue ones in those positions. The few yellows or whites I see are alone. Do the blues kill off the opposition ( I’m told the European bluebell does this to the native Irish one by secreting a … read more

i would like to know what flowers i can plant that will grow year after year without having to plant them again. Also what can I plant in my flowers beds etc that will grow/flower throughout the year?

Does the border lupin re-flower or just one flower a year.

I have a sun flower growing in a pot. The leaves are starting to decay and the flower doe not look to be progressing well. The same issue happened to me last year and the flower eventually died. The flower is getting plenty of water. Anything i can use.

have planted begonia betulia out in bed.will it survive the winter and flower next year?

Gerry Congratulations on the terrific new website. My question Is there any place that will take back or recycle plastic pots?

I bought the above plant at Bloom yesterday. Can you give me some advice on what conditions to grow this in and how to propagate please. Thanks Jean

for the first time in ten years i have vineweevil. i have always used provado to control it but can no longer get it. where can i get my hands on it? i know they sell provado 2 in britain but where can i get it here?

I have some wallflowers which are coming to the end of their flowering season, will they come back next year or should I dig them up and put in some summer bedding for colour. I have daffodils sown behind them.

I have bought four medium size patio pots and am wondering what plants are best suitable. The patio is an open area.

I have calla lilies planted in a patio flower bed, one lily has bloomed with 2 leaves and 2 yellow inner points – on the one stem – is this common? I have never seen it before. Would appreicate a reply

Hi Gerry. I have just planted out some lupins that i have grown from seed and they are starting to wilt. new shoots are developing with a curled leaf. Do you know what the problem is and can i cure it. many thanks

Hello Gerry,I wonder if you can tell me where I could purchase some lacewing larvae to eat all the greenfly in my garden? I’ve already got some ladybirds but can’t locate anywhere in Ireland that sells the Lacewings, and it doesn’t seem that English companies will send them to Ireland. Many thanks for your help.

Heuchera i have always failed to grow this plant bought 3 more today what does it need to thrive thinking of putting it in sunny dry spot

can i leave tulip bulbs in the ground once they have bloomed?

Is there such a product as weed and feed for flower beds?.

My friend in the UK has problems with Lily beetles. She was asking if I knew how to get rid of them. All I know is that they are red and to pick them off. Can you give us any other advise?

I have noticed tiny white bugs on my Lupins and wonder how to get riid of them? Also what is it from? It doesn’t seem to go to the other plants but on the Lupins in different areas in the garden. Thanks!

What bulbs do you suggest for colour in March?

should I cut down/prune hellibore when/how

Creeping buttercup has taken over quite a sizeable border which contains mainly perennials. What can I do, please?

I have a family wedding on August 29th. Can you advise flowers or plants that would bring some colour to the garden at that time of year?

i want to plant colourful plants that will spread and grow to aheight of 2 ft or under the length of the thrench is about 50 feet and 25 inches wide something that will catch the eye

Im in a rural setting and many of my plants have long grasses growing up through the centre.This inhibits the growth and is unsightly and difficult to remove without damaging the plant. Is there a topical weed killer that I can paint on the grass with out harming the plant

Hi, i recently moved into my 1st home there is just a rectangle patch of a grass(approx 2m x 1m) out the front that i want to turn into a nice flower bed i want 2 get rid of the grass, weeds etc and put some nice plants in that will take as little as … read more

Black Bamboo has seed heads, will it live or die?

Hi Gerry, I bought a honey bush at Blooms last year and underestimated how big it would grow! It’s at the front of my garden and overshadowing everything else. I need to move it but since it’s so lovely, don’t want to kill it! When can i move it ,if ever, without killing it.. or … read more

I got a 3 5ft tree ferns for the garden last August. When one of them was being planted, it fell over. It did not appear damaged at the time but I notice that there is no new growth on this tree this year. There are 3 budding fern leaves in the trunk core but … read more

I want to make a new flower/shrub bed in an area of lawn. What is the best way to get rid of the grass and prevent the grass and weeds growing back up through the bed?.

Hi, I am not sure if this is a problem – but here goes: We planted a lot of tulips over the past two years in the garden and they are all fantastic specimens – even if we have to say so ourselves – especially after a trip to the Keukenoff Gardens in Amsterdam last … read more

Hi Gerry I Recently bought this Lobelia ‘St Elmo’s Fire’. I have young kids and am hearing now that this could be poisonous….Is this true..thanks 🙂 NULL 2008-04-20 17:48:27 59 I have read your answer how to get rid of moss, but I have more questions. My garden had lots of trees around it but … read more

My daughter is getting married on the 25th April and I would love to have some colour in the back garden.Could you please tell me what flowers I could either buy or plant in for containers as I have a very large decking and the girls could go out the back weather permitting to have … read more

I planted some sweet peas in pots last autumn. I have them in a cold frame and they are doing well. Can I plant them in the ground now, or should I wait until the weather gets warmer? Thanks

Hi Gerry – I have a tall pine tree/conifer in my garden which gets the sun for most of the day (west facing)and the area underneath is very dry with pine needles. Is there anythng I can plant under it ? I have a preference for bulbs or perennial. Thank you

Hi Gerry, I’ve been lazy and haven’t lifted or split my crocosmia in about 6 years. They are the tall red ones, Lucifer. Before they get a chance to flower, they flop over. The problem is that the clump is so large I fear that I will damage many of them. It’s also hard to … read more

Something is eating all my snowdrop flowers? Any idea what it could be?