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Gardeners' Question Time

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Homes & Gardens: Gardens

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts

A panel of horticultural experts answer gardening questions from a live audience. Recorded in a different location each week

BBC Radio 4 LW

Gardeners' Question Time: Wiltshire

Wiltshire

10/01/2014

BBC Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time, Wiltshire

Eric Robson and the panel take questions in the county of Wiltshire.

Eric Robson hosts the programme from the county of Wiltshire, with panellists Matt Biggs, Matthew Wilson and Christine Walkden taking the local audience's questions.

Eric Robson hosts GQT from Wiltshire with Matt Biggs, Matthew Wilson and Christine Walkden taking the local audience's questions. Bob Flowerdew encourages us to step out into the winter garden in a new series of topical tips. Matthew and Matt discuss the wonder of foxgloves whilst visiting a national collection at the Botanic Nursery, Wiltshire.

Produced by Howard Shannon.
Assistant Producer: Darby Dorras.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

This week's questions:

Q. What should I do to encourage my rose Zéphirine Drouhin to climb? It has been in the same limestone position for three years now but has not grown beyond 2-3ft (91cm).

A. This is one of the most disease-riddled breeds you could choose to grow. They are prone to mildew, black spot, rust etc. Roses like a heavy soil with a lot of organic matter and a lot of sunshine. I would take it out, improve the soil and then replant it. Think about adding clay and some decent topsoil.
If you wish to replace it, choose something a little more vigorous that will have enough energy to battle the hard conditions.


Q. Could the panel suggest an ornamental tree for a northwest-facing slope? It must not exceed10ft (3m).

A. Caragana Arborescens is a member of the pea family and has lots of small leaves and yellow flowers. It will grow in poor soil conditions and will reach about 8ft (2.4m) at the most. Sorbus Fruticosa is a beautiful, shrubby Sorbus growing to about 5ft. It has mountain ash-like flowers which are followed by lovely white berries until March. A variety of Crab Apple called Malus Sargentii has lots of white blossom followed by small, bright red crabs. It has a graceful shape and will form a very broad head.


Q. I have been asked to propagate a Colutea Arborescens. What would be the best method?

A. Take seeds from the inflated seedpods. Sow them as soon as possible in some grit and place them at the base of a north-facing wall.


Q. Could the panel recommend some easy to grow vegetables that will feed my family rather than the local roe deer? We are already growing courgettes and onions.

A. Try Jerusalem Artichoke as I don't think the deer would take to them. Think carefully about where you plant them and perhaps add a barrier so that they don't spread. Try adding something to deter the deer. They will be frightened off by a human scent, so leave an old pair of boots or scatter some human hair.


Q. Box blight has swept through Bradford on Avon. Could the panel suggest some alternative plants that will create the same effect?

A. Ilex Crenata is a small leaved Japanese holly and Hetzii is a low growing cultivar. Green globe provides a very good look-alike. Loniceranitida is not particularly glamorous but is tough and small leaved. If you have alkaline conditions you could try Rosemary, Teucrium Chamaedrys or Lavender. Sarcococcas could also work well.


Q. Could the panel suggest planting that would attract insects for bats to feed on?

A. Try scented plants such as the wide range of Vibernum. Nicotiana would work well, especially at nighttime. The more fragrance you can add, the more diversity you will find. Avoid double headed flowers and F1 hybrids because they won't produce as much nectar. Also try Umbellifers or Ivy.
Grassland would be excellent because damp conditions attract the gnats and grass is a good food source for moth larvae. Also try light coloured flowers because moths are more likely to be attracted to pale colours at night.

Image: (c) RHS Images The Royal Horticultural Society.

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