Quick QUESTIONS
Years ago, I saw some black potatoes in the Shetlands. Are they still around? William Arthurs, by email I’m sure the variety you saw was the appropriately named ‘Shetland Black’, which is a second early. The skin really is almost black but the flesh is yellow with a dark, purple-blue ring. It has been grown in the Shetlands since at least the 19th century and is still obtainable, I see it’s listed by www.potatohouse.co.uk.
When should I prune my ‘Lady Be y Balfour’ clematis?
Fran Jenner, by email
All clematis should be pruned in February and my rule is that the later they flower, the harder they should be pruned. ‘Lady Betty Balfour’ is late flowering and should, therefore, be pruned hard, back to about 75cm (2½in) above soil level. My only exceptions are the vigorous earlyflowering Clematis montana
varieties, which can be pruned as hard as necessary.
My lilies are ge ing taller every year. Does this mean they are on their way out?
Jim Carless, by email
No, far from it, in fact. If they are well looked after, lilies do progressively become taller. You should divide them, however, when their growth begins to decline and they start to lose height, not gain it. And just a gentle reminder that they’ll really benefit from a mulch of leaf mould just as growth starts in the spring.