GARDEN GURU

Q My daughter has a Japanese maple in a container. During cold weather at the end of spring, the leaves turned brown. What should she do? Joy Nelson

These are hardy but their A delicate foliage is vulnerable to wind, frost and strong sunlight, which can cause it to shrivel, scorch or fall prematurely. Place the pot in dappled shade and tell your daughter to feed the plant well to encourage fresh growth.

Q Three plants with yellow flowers have appeared. The blooms open in the morning and close in the afternoon, and its seed heads are like those of a dandelion. Can you identify it?

Nola Rice-Wood

Your photos show A Tragopogon pratensis, a native wildflower commonly known as goat’s beard. It’s a short-lived perennial with large, fluffy seed heads that can measure up to 3in across.

Why are the lower Q branches of my monkey puzzle tree turning brown? Bazza B

It’s perfectly natural for the A lower branches of a monkey puzzle to turn brown and die back as the tree matures – prune them off at any time to improve looks. Another possibility is drought stress, although trees tend to turn brown all over and not just at the bottom. To be on the safe side, make sure you keep the ground around its base clear of weeds, grass and other plants that will compete for moisture.