Quick Qu estions

What is the mystery plant taking over my garden? Helen Mead, U oxeter, Staffordshire Your mystery plant is garlic mustard ( Alliaria petiolata),), a member of the brassica family. It tends to thrive in the shade of hedgerows or at the edge of woods. Although the leaves are violet-like, when crushed they’ve the tell-tale garlic aroma. Fork them out before they set seed in July. Seeds remain viable in the soil for up to five years, so check regularly for new plants. Why is my photinia foliage rather sparse? Hugh Donald, by email It is not unusual for photinias to drop leaves over winter due to environmental stress, such as waterlogging or exposure to chilling winds. Apply Growmore, or another suitable general fertiliser, now over the root area and put down a 10cm (4in) mulch of well-ro ed manure or garden compost keeping it clear of the trunk. Prune back overlong or bare branches to a well-placed side branch or bud. This should encourage thicker growth to provide be er screening. Why does my climbing rose flower poorly? Josephine Cross, by email Your rose ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’ is a large climber to 7.5m (25ft). You can’t simply contain it by shortening the main stems as this results in few flowers. Instead, tie down the main framework branches onto horizontal wires or loop them so the tips are lower than the main stem. During winter prune back all growth sprouting from this main framework to two or three buds.