CROSSWORD

Use the following answers to complete a quotation by American writer Dan Bennett: ‘11 across of the 27 across 3 down to 19 across is 17 down a 23 down and a 20 across of 23 across.’

ACROSS

8 Wildflower Pulicaria dysenterica, thought to drive off biting insects (8) 9 Succulent with rose es of narrow, spiny leaves (5) 10 John ___, father and son botanists, plant collectors and horticulturists (10) 11 Half of two (3) 13 Perfect (5) 15 Late comedian, half of a famous double act (5,4) 19 Bet (6) 20 Paper or cardboard container (6) 21 Rough or jarring quality (9) 23 Plants’ units of reproduction (5) 26 Enquire too inquisitively (3) 27 Most likely to promote physical wellbeing (10) 30 Machine for planting 23 across (5) 31 Put in peril (8)

DOWN

1 Group that had a 1995 chart-topper with Country House (4) 2 Not reaped or gathered by machine (4-6) 3 Methods, manners (4) 4 People who do not eat or use animal products (6) 5 Succulent plants (5) 6 Narrow boat propelled by paddles (5) 7 Precious stone (5) 12 Italian city and port (6) 14 Measurable extents (10) 16 One who peruses Garden News? (6) 17 Accompanied by (4) 18 Omele e ingredient (4) 22 Flowering shrub of the rhododendron family (6) 23 Digging tool (5) 24 Eagle’s nest (5) 25 Snail’s outer case (5) 28 Neat, orderly (4) 29 Plant stalk (4)