Garden Guru

QThe leaves of our Lavatera ‘Barnsley Baby’ have started to develop small marks that have turned lumpy. What has happened? Irene Slater

AFrom the leaf sample you sent me, it looks as if your plant has been attacked by hollyhock rust, a fungal disease that causes the upper surface of leaves to discolour and tiny, brownish-orange spots to appear underneath. Pick off the worst affected leaves, then spray with a suitable fungicide, such as Bayer Fungus Fighter Plus or Scotts Fungus Clear Ultra Gun.

QLast year, the developing fruit on my young cherry tree all fell off in late spring. How can I stop it happening again? George Hogg

AIt’s not unusual for cherry trees to shed their fruit prematurely, which is sometimes due to weather conditions. Of course, you can’t improve the weather but ensure fruit has a better chance of maturing by pruning to keep an open head of branches and removing some fruit by hand when small.

QI have a bed of raspberry ‘Autumn Bliss’. Last year the yield was small and a lot of slugs and snails spoiled the fruit. How can I deter the pests? Margaret Horne

AAfter pruning in late winter, mulch the soil to prevent the roots drying out in summer and spread balanced granular fertiliser over the ground. As you have a problem with slugs and snails, spread organic pellets around the canes.