Quick Questions
What’s this attractive flower that has popped up in my garden?
Harold Toyne, by email Its orange hawkbit or fox and cubs ( Pilosella aurantiaca). It’s native to alpine areas in mainland Europe but was brought to Britain in the 17th century. Plants grow from a rose e of lance-shaped leaves and flower from June to September on 40cm (1¼ft) stems covered with black, fuzzy hairs. It favours welldrained sites in full sun but can colonise a broad area by seed and via stolons that spread through the soil. While great for pollinating insects in a wildflower area, it can become a nuisance in flowerbeds.
How do I prune weigela?
Anthony Gull, Wolverhampton Your shrub appears to be weigela ‘Florida Variegata’ which has clusters of funnel-shaped, light pink flowers and leaves edged with creamy-white. Cut back flowered stems to strong upright shoots below the faded flowers in summer. On established shrubs one or two old stems can be cut out at the base together with any overlong new growth. On variegated plants it’s possible to hard prune in early spring to enhance the foliage effect but that will limit flowering.
Why does our mature walnut no longer fruit?
Alec Mackonochie, by email Walnuts don’t crop well in frost pockets or on exposed sites. Strong winds and spring frosts can damage flowers. It may be that a neighbouring tree that served as a pollinator has been removed. Some walnuts are partially selffertile, such as ‘Broadview’, but cropping is improved with cross-pollination. ‘Buccaneer’ is a fastgrowing variety which can bear fruit after four years.