GARDEN GURU

Q I have an Aeonium ‘Sunburst’ that has produced a 3ft flower stalk. I understand the plant usually dies at this point but sometimes produce ‘babies’. However, mine hasn’t. What can I do? Eileen Hollis

A Sadly, nothing at all. This beautiful variegated aeonium is indeed monocarpic, meaning the rosette will die once it flowers. So, enjoy the floral display.

Q I have five-year-old wallflower with orange flowers that I grew from seed. It’s now over 6ft tall and has a stem thicker than a thumb. I would love to know what it actually is. Pat Ellison-Reed

A Many thanks for emailing me your photo. I have never seen such a statuesque specimen before and suspect it’s a quirk of nature. There could be several reasons for this – pruning, your soil or maybe its position. A wallflower in slight shade is more likely to be lankier than one in sun.

Q We’re moving house and would like to take our fiveyear-old olive tree with us. Is that possible? Thomas Haughey

A Plants that have been in the ground for five years or less should be straightforward to transplant. Remove a large rootball using the extent of the branches as a guide. Wrap it in polythene and replant promptly, or put in a large pot. Also ensure you keep your tree well watered.