Flowers: Gardening Q &Amp; A

Feb 24 2008 Carolyn Spray

Q The wisteria around my door is really matted. Can I prune it now?

A Wisteria needs pruned in the winter and again in summer to remove all the vigorous new growth. Cut back all the side shoots to 5-8cm to make them form lots of flowering shoots

Q My snowdrops have been superb this spring but seem quite congested. Can I split them up?

A Lift them once they have finished flowering and replant elsewhere immediately. Water in with a liquid feed and they will settle in and die back naturally.

Q I want to grow fruit and veg on my decking as there is no space in the garden. What's the smallest container I could use?

A Check out the website www.haxnicks.co.uk for fantastic flat-pack woven polythene containers which are ideal for potatoes, herbs, strawberries and other fruit and veg.

Q My containers of pansies and violas are perking up now the weather is a bit milder. How do I keep them looking good?

A Keep watering and dead-heading them and give them liquid feed in March.

Q The new shoots coming up on my sedum look very tightly packed. Are they OK?

A I have the same problem. You need to carefully dig up the plant, chop the clump in half with a spade and replant.

Q The leaves on my euonymus are turning dark green, spoiling its variegated look. What should I do?

A Many variegated plants do this. The dominant colour grows stronger and can start to take over the shrub. Pinch out the green shoots to prevent this.

Q I want to lift part of my lawn to make a new border. How do I get rid of the turf?

A Don't! Make turf stacks by laying the turfs upside down on top of each other and they will break down into lovely loamy soil.