Welcome to my potting shed! This is the column where I’ll share all my gardening hints and tips – and I’ll try to answer any queries you may have.

Q I received garden centre gift vouchers at Christmas and would like to spend them all on a shrub or tree. Have you got any suggestions? – Denise Mcavoy, Eaglesham.

A A winter flowering cherry would be an apt use of your Christmas present. In future years it will bloom in time for the festive season, reminding you of those who gave you such welcome gifts.

Dig over areas of bare soil leaving clay

lumps on the surface where frost will help break them down.

Q When is the best time to prune rhododendrons? – E. Mccusker, by email.

A The best time would be in February, while the shrubs are still dormant. However if you want to have flowers, then wait until these have opened and then prune immediately the blooms start to fade.

Wash bird feeders and tables regularly

to prevent bacteria from building up.

Q Why have the leaves on my hellebores turned black? – Marian Chalmers, Doune.

A This is Hellebore leaf spot, a fungal disease. Remove and destroy any affected foliage, but don’t put it on the compost heap.

Plant lily bulbs in pots and place these

in a sheltered spot. Use them to fill gaps in the borders during the summer.

Q Can I recycle my Christmas tree? – Colin Docherty, by email.

A Leave it behind the shed until the needles fall off and then sprinkle these around plants as a slug deterrent. The bare branches can then be used as plant supports and the trunk can be sawn into logs and used in a log burner.

Cut back some of the leaves of Iris

unguicularis to make the flowers more visible.

Q You have mentioned planting bare root shrubs and perennials. Where can I find these? - Brian Melrose, Inverurie.

A You can find them occasionally in garden centres, but many nurseries do them, both direct and through mail order. Contact seed merchants, too – you can find their details in seed catalogues or online – as these sometimes offer bare root perennials and hedging plants.

Perennials can be dug up and divided

during mild spells. Make sure you check on them after subsequent frosts and heel in roots raised by the cold weather.