Quick Questions Answers &

Q Please can you tell us the name of this flower? Steve Chimes

(via email)

A The plant in question is a fascinating Jacob’s ladder from Arizona and New Mexico.

Botanically called Polemonium pauciflorum, it is a short-lived perennial, which is propagated from seed. It grows to around 20in (50cm) high.

It is best positioned in freedraining soil in full sun. It will, however, tolerate light shade.

Q Could you please tell me what this is and is it good or bad? Suzanne Shaw

(via email)

A This beautiful caterpillar metamorphoses into the mullein moth (Cucullia verbasci) a drab, brownish creature that’s on the wing from late April to May.

Laying eggs on verbascum and other perennials, larvae hatch within days and feed voraciously on foliage. Left to their own devices, caterpillars quickly skeletonise a plant.

To control this pest, hand-pick then spray with a contact insecticide. Most are based on pyrethrum and are available from garden centres.

Q Please could you identify this plant for me?

Jill Woodward

(via email)

A I’m pretty certain it is Salvia argentea. The argentea means ‘silver’ and comes from the colour of the leaves before flowering begins.

This salvia is native to southern Europe, from Portugal to Bulgaria where it tends to grow as a shortlived perennial.

In Britain it is best to assume it is a biennial, producing its rosette of leaves one year, flowering the next then dying away after setting seed.