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.

Why have the pink and white flowers of my Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ turned completely white? – Anita Gregson, Troon

This is caused by declining daylight. Next spring the flowers will be pink and white again. Can I grow Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ from seed? I’ve got a clump of it in my garden and would like to have more. – Jennifer Cluny, East Kilbride

You can. Collect the seed now and store until early spring. It will take between two and three weeks at around 65C for the seed to germinate.

My Brussels sprouts plants are getting quite tall. Should I stake them? – Iain Edwards, by email

Yes. Not only will this prevent your plants from falling over, but it will reduce the chance of the sprouts becoming loose and open.

Why have the hydrangeas that I’ve grown from cuttings never flowered? – Linda Morrison, Stirling

They may be in soil that is too dry or sitting in full sun. Put them in semi-shade, water during dry spells, mulch around them and feed with a liquid compost and they should start to perform quite well.

How do you get rid of creeping buttercup? It has taken over my garden. – Paul Sullivan, North Queensferry

Dig out as much as possible, trying to get the roots and not just the runners. If necessary, apply a weedkiller in spring.