GARDEN GURU

Q Five of my six lavender bushes died over winter. I assumed they had succumbed to wet weather, but after digging them up I found lots of shiny beetles hidden among the roots. What are they? Margaret Mullerworth

A These are young rosemary beetles, which pupate in the soil around roots. Once they emerge, the ladybird-sized pests eat the leaves of rosemary, sage, thyme and lavender. Fortunately, the metallic green and purple striped beetles stick out like a sore thumb, so keep a close eye on your remaining plant and pick any off before they have the chance to strip stems.

Q We have been growing agapanthus in planters for a couple of years. They have produced lots of leaves but there’s still no sign of any flowers. What can we do? Bob Foster

A Be patient. Agapanthus tend to flower best when the roots are verging on being cramped, so wait for them to fill the container. In the meantime, water regularly and feed weekly with a liquid fertiliser that’s high in potash.

Q I have an Escallonia ‘Iveyi’ hedge that is set in clay soil. What is the best way to look after it? Len Gill

A Escallonias make attractive flowering hedges. Keep it in shape by pruning immediately after blooms have faded, in late summer or early autumn – simply give the hedge a light trim to reduce straggly shoots. Feed the plants in spring by scattering balanced fertiliser granules around the base. As yours is in clay soil, also make sure you water regularly during periods of drought in summer.