Quick questions & answers

QCan you tell me what this beautiful shrub is?

Mr B Jordan, Market Rasen, Lincs

AThis is a form of Spiraea x bumalda, possibly ‘Gold Flame’. The foliage is beautiful in summer and also appealing in autumn.

Prune it fairly hard in spring, shortening all shoots to within 6-8in (15-20cm) of the base. Feed with Vitax Q4 or blood, fish and bone meal.

Dark-pink flowers will appear early to mid-summer. Q

Is there such a thing as a repeatflowering daffodil?

Richard Thompson, Mexborough, South Yorkshire

ARegrettably, no. Once a daffodil bloom has faded the plant’s energy is directed into building a flowering-sized bulb for next year.

Ideally, feed plants weekly with a high-potash liquid fertiliser such as Tomorite, when leaves emerge, ceasing only when they die back. Q

Will unwanted shrubs grow back if cut right down to the ground?

John Davies, Chepstow, Wales

AIt all depends on what they are – some will take the hint straight away and die off, but there are shrubs that tolerate hard pruning, even to ground level, and will grow back.

If you notice this happening it is worth having the roots poisoned to be sure of getting rid of them.

Given time they will then rot away and in a few years’ time there will be no sign of them.