GARDEN GURU

QI’m growing a Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Waterwheel’ in a large pot set against a southwest-facing wall. It produces lots of foliage but in five years has never flowered. Any idea why? Jenny Yeandle

A‘Waterwheel’ is a lovely form of star jasmine usually grown for its narrow, willow-like leaves.

It is notoriously shy to flower. The only thing you can do is water and feed it regularly, and hope for the best.

QWe inherited a 12ft-tall palm in a large container when we moved house 18 months ago. It seems to me it’s outgrown its pot. Do you think I could build a raised bed around it and then cut the container away? Richard H. Green

AThe palm will almost certainly have anchored itself to the ground, either breaking the base of the container or rooting through the drainage holes. You could build a retaining bed around the container. However, if you’re not happy with its position then I would be tempted to move it. Much of the root system will still be within the pot, so excavate underneath and then transplant.

QI live in a new house and my lawn has started to die off bit by bit. Please help. Ken Bennell

ANew-builds often come with lawns laid over rubble and other detritus. The grass will look OK initially but deteriorate over time. You mention you pay for a lawn-care service, so ask them to investigate on their next visit.