Q I cut back my aubrieta, but it has had a second flush. Do I do it again?
M Kirkpatrick, by email
ACHRISTINE SAYS A number of my plants went on to re-flower this autumn having been cut back earlier in the year. I think weather conditions are influencing growth patterns greatly this year.
My aubrieta has reacted the same as yours. If the plants remain tight and compact I will not cut them back again, but if they become open in habit and scruffy, I will probably trim them, removing something like a third of their growth.
If you do have to re-cut them, ensure in the spring when they come into growth again that you feed them with a general controlled-release fertiliser and keep them well watered if we have dry periods. If yours are producing a few flowers, I would not worry about them going on to make seed – a few pods will not weaken the plant.