Flowerless hedychiums

Q Why do I get tall stems but no flowers from my pots of ginger lily rhizomes? DON HYTHE, KENT A Hedychiums aren’t difficult to grow but the stems (produced from the rhizome) need to mature in order to bloom. UK summers aren’t always long enough for this to happen. In a long growing season, flowers are produced at the top of each stem, but if the stems are cut down in autumn before they mature, no flowers will be produced. You could leave the growth to mature for longer by keeping the plant in a cold greenhouse from November, where you may get flowers at the end of the season. Just remember to provide lots of water, and feed your plants when they’re in growth.

Q Can you recommend long-term pot plants? STUART SHEARMAN, BUCKS

A With long-term patio plants it’s worth choosing good structural specimens that can tolerate a degree of drought. Try hardy succulents, yuccas and phormiums. You could add some bulbs too, for winter and spring colour.

Q How should I grow wisteria in a pot? SUSAN CAREY, PEMBROKESHIRE

A Wisteria can be grown as standards or climbers in a large pot of John Innes No3 compost. Water and feed your plant regularly through the growing season. If growing one as a standard, provide a stout support for the main stem. Long shoots need pruning back to four leaves every August to create a dense crown, shaping the plant into a ‘lollipop’. Wisterias grow and flower best in full sun.