Potting Shed

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.

Can you tell me why the leaves on my hydrangea are turning yellow? Is it too much water or lack of feeding? – R Purves, Haddington

The yellowing could be caused by either an iron or a nitrogen deficiency. Replace the top 10cm of soil with fresh compost and use a balanced feed regularly and next year’s leaves should be healthy.

I’ve got a lovely weigela that has declined rapidly. I peeled off some of the bark and there’s a white fungus underneath. What is this and can the tree be saved? – Dylan Mathieson, by email

Your tree has been attacked by honey fungus and there’s nothing that can be done to reverse the damage. You are going to have to dig it up and destroy it and then replant with something less susceptible, such as a Japanese quince.

I have planted nerines several times, but

they have always failed to grow. How can I persuade them to flower in my garden? – Christine Smith, Clydebank

Nerines love a sunny spot, free-draining soil and no competition from other plants and if you can’t find a spot in the garden for them then try growing them in pots, using very gritty compost. Can you grow roses in shade? I’d like to use some on a north-facing wall. – John Docherty, Blairgowrie

Prince’s Trust is a lovely red climbing rose that is perfectly happy on a north-facing wall and Felicite and Perpetue is an old climber with pompon flowers and an almost-evergreen habit that also grows well in shade.

Can you recommend tulips for a sunny border in front of our village hall?

– Jan Crawford, by email

The combination of orange Ballerina and purple Queen of Night is a winner, with the bonus that Ballerina is scented.