READER’S QUESTION

WE HAD lots of columbines in our garden. But this year, most of them turned pale grey, stopped growing and died. any ideas?

Mrs. J. Holmes, Nottingham. THE problem is columbine downy mildew — and there’s no known cure. Some plants may be more susceptible. A few may even be fully resistant. If those are allowed to self-seed, there’s a chance of an immune race. Remove any affected plants and hope enough healthy ones will survive to seed.