Welcome to my potting shed! This is the column where I’ll share all my gardening hints and tips – and I’ll try to answer any queries you may have.
Q I’m failing to get a good result from Crown imperials. They’re either small and disappointing or just don’t appear at all. What am I doing wrong? – F. Caulder, Milton of Campsie.
A I suspect the bulbs are struggling with drainage. Spread a layer of grit beneath the bulbs and plant them 20cm deep, on their sides, to prevent water rotting the bulbs.
Bring pelargoniums and fuchsias under cover, watering sparingly in a bright spot over the winter.
Q I’ve got a sunny slope in my garden that I’m going to turn into a wild flower meadow. As well as seeds, I want to grow bulbs and plants. What do you recommend? – Olivia Davidson, Bothwell.
A Primroses love a moist but well-drained bank. The conditions are also perfect for snake’s head fritillaries.
Add structure to winter bedding containers by using small skimmias, box plants and other evergreens.
Q I’d love to grow a Virginia creeper but I’m worried it would smother my house. Is there a smaller form that would be easier to control? – Donald Morrison, Auchterarder.
A The Chinese creeper, Parthenocissus henryana, is less vigorous but still produces vibrant autumn colours.
If your pansies have fungal disease, remove and destroy them – and avoid planting fresh pansies in the same area.
Q I’d like to grow some flowering shrubs and plants beneath some silver birch trees. What white-flowering plants do you recommend? – George McAllister, by email.
A Any of the white hydrangeas, including Hydrangea paniculata, would suit the conditions.
Large banana plants should be wrapped in straw and fleece for winter protection.
Q Suckers appear in the lawn where my Rhus typhina grows. I’ve tried cutting these off but they reappear. How do I stop the tree from spreading? – Mrs Amanda Sharp, Inverness.
A Create a barrier around the tree by sinking paving slabs vertically into the soil. If you were starting afresh you could achieve the same effect by digging a large hole and planting the sumach in its container.
Raise terracotta pots on to bricks to let them drain. In winter they can crack if they freeze while full of water.