Gardening Q&A

May 11 2008 Carolyn Spray

Flowers

Q My lawn had lots of dandelions and daisies last year which I tried to remove by hand.

Is there an easier way?

A Use a selective hormone weedkiller, such as Verdone, which eradicates the weeds but leaves the grass intact.

Q Do runner beans grow well in Scotland and when should I sow them?

A Sow in 9cm pots and start them off on a warm windowsill or greenhouse.

Use a quick maturing variety and only plant out when frosts are past, usually towards the end of May.

Q My forsythia spectabilis has grown too big. When is the best time to prune it?

A Prune forsythia and other spring-flowering shrubs immediately after flowering to enable sufficient growth to flower next year.

Q My clematis montana looks a bit droopy.

Could this be clematis wilt and how do I control it?

A Clematis wilt is a fungus disease which attacks the roots. It only affects the large hardy hybrid clematis so your montana must have a another problem.

Q Every year many of my herbaceous perennials get blown over just as they come into flower. What can I do?

A A cost effective support is a plastic hoop which is supported by a stout cane through the middle. You'll find these in garden centres.

Q My aubrietia has spread leaving the centre bare and only flowers on the outside. Is there a cure for this?

A After flowering cut them hard back leaving only 2-3cm of stem.

Q I planted three melons in my greenhouse last year but got no fruit. Where did I go wrong?

A Melons need to be fertilised in a greenhouse as there are few pollinating insects about.

Take a male single flower and gently touch the female flower (with a small melon attached) to transfer the pollen.