Garden Guru

Q I have a rhododendron that is outgrowing a bed. I’d like to prune it, but I was told that it would never flower again. Is that correct?

Linda Douglas

A No. Rhododendrons require little or no pruning, as this

will spoil their natural shape. However, it is possible to restrict their size by lightly cutting back shoots after flowering.

Q Our Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’ always flowers, but has never grown any higher than 2ft. Why doesn’t it climb?

Brian Cooke

A First of all, don’t worry too much. The fact that your plant flowers every year means it is healthy. However, this variety has the potential to reach 10ft, so clearly something is restricting its growth. I notice from the picture you sent me that the clematis is closely crowded by other plants, so I suspect it might

simply be struggling to get enough moisture and nutrients. In order to rectify this, water regularly and apply slow-release fertiliser in late winter. From May until early autumn, feed every fortnight with liquid tomato food.

Q I have a black bamboo in my garden and wondered

whether I can cut out some unwanted canes to use as supports for other plants.

Colin Barnett

A Absolutely. The canes of any bamboo can be trimmed to size and kept for shoring up plants. Bear in mind that those with coloured stems will start to fade once they’ve been removed from the clump.