GARDEN GURU
Q I’ve got a problem with wild garlic in my garden. Every time I try to remove it by digging, it returns even more prolifically. What do you suggest? Georgina Wilson
A There are several options
for eradicating wild garlic. If it covers only a small patch, remove the top 12in of earth and replace with fresh topsoil. Alternatively, use a hoe from late winter onwards to slice off shoots as they appear or cover the ground with weed-suppressing membrane – both will weaken the wild garlic over time.
Q Could you recommend a plant or plants that can be grown in a 47-litre tub and will give a long season of interest?
Eric Roberts
A For my money, few plants provide such a long season of interest as Japanese maples. There are loads of varieties of Japanese maples, but one of my favourites is Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ – it has pretty coral shoots in winter and pale green, deeply cut leaves that turn yellow and orange in autumn.
Q I was given a ‘Queen Mother’ for Christmas that appeared dead. I put it in a cool room and it is now 4ft tall, but very spindly and fragile looking. What do you think I should do?
Ouida Ashcroft
A Your clematis will be A fine in a cold greenhouse because it will toughen the plant up before it’s planted outside. There’s no need to pinch out the tips – cut back shoots in early March to 18in.