Potting Shed

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.

Some of my alpine plants are showing signs of die-back. Can I do anything to revive them? - Jack Lawson, Hamilton.

Remove weeds and dead material then fill in the bare patches with grit and water thoroughly and they may start to regrow.

Help! Bright green bugs have appeared on my hydrangeas. How do I get rid of them? - Anne Simpson, Johnstone.

You don’t. These are shield bugs which are both harmless and highly decorative.

What’s causing the yellow patches that have appeared on the leaves of my nicotiana? - Wendy Hood, by email.

This is downy mildew. Remove and destroy all affected plants before the problem spreads. I’ve get a large rambling rose that is blocking the path to my shed. Will I harm it by cutting it back now? - Colin Barker, Glenrothes

No, in fact now is the right time to cut back ramblers. Prune out stems that flowered this year and tie in new growth.

A hedgehog has started visiting our garden. What can I do to make it stay? - Nimish Patel

Create a leaf pile in a quiet corner and make a shallow pond for it to drink from. If you have a deep pond, pile up bricks in the water to allow it to scramble out if it falls in.