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 This year I grew some lovely red schizostylis but I’ve since learned they are a bit tender. – D. McCarthy, Bridge of Weir.

A These have now known ashesperantha and they grow best in well-drained soil in a sunny position. Cover the rhizomes with a cloche to protect from cold and rain and divide them next spring to make more plants.

Plant hanging baskets with small

skimmias, ivies and pansies, popping in mini daffodil bulbs for early spring colour.

Q Which acers produce the best autumn colour? I want to plant up a border. – Archie Phillips, Kilmarnock.

A Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ has deep purple leaves that turn vibrant red while ‘Kamagata’ takes on flame-coloured tints. By contrast, the leaves of Acer shirasawanum ‘Jordan’ turn bright gold.

Spike lawns growing on heavy soil and

brush sand into the holes to prevent puddles forming in compacted areas.

Q I want to grow some very tall grasses. – Libby Paterson, Clarkston.

A Stipa gigantea can reach 8ft and it carries its feathery stems well into autumn but one of the best grasses is Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ that produces clumps of 6ft tall stems that will stand until late winter.

Keep Christmas cacti in a cold room,

with plenty of daylight and total darkness at night, to promote flowering.

Q I need to find something to fill a large, empty space. I’d like it to be evergreen, with winter berries. – Sonia Lamont, Perth.

A Cotoneaster is a large, evergreen shrub with arching stems which covered in clusters of red berries in autumn. The birds leave it untouched until late winter so it would give you a lengthy display of colour.

Sow sweet peas somewhere warm and

move to a cold frame/unheated greenhouse when they begin to germinate.

Q Can I plant shop-bought garlic cloves or should I buy some from a garden centre instead? – Mike Roberts, via email.

A The garlic you buy in a supermarket may not be hardy enough to grow in this country so for best results always buy yours from a recognised source, such as a nursery or seed specialist.

Make bird food by melting suet or lard

and mixing in oatmeal, cheese, seeds and nuts. Place in old yoghurt pots to set then hang from trees and shrubs.