大象传媒

Eric Robson and the panel visit the Italianate village of Portmeirion, North Wales. Answering questions from Hercules Hall are Matt Biggs, Christine Walkden and Matthew Wilson.

Produced by Victoria Shepherd.
A Somethin' Else production for 大象传媒 Radio 4

This week's questions and answers:

Q. Our holly trees do not produce berries. Why would this be?

A. You may have males or only females in the area. It is unlikely to be climatic conditions causing the problem. Look at the flowers to work out whether they have anthers or stigmas. Alternatively, take a sample of your holly to an expert. You could go for J. C. van Tol because it is a self-pollinator.

Q. Dierama or Angels Fishing Rod can often start to look tatty. Is it ok to cut it back like other perennials?

A. Dierama has strap-like foliage and long, thin stalks which erupt with dancing pink and purple bells. Wait until the spring to take off any remnants. They don't like a lot of disturbance especially when the ground is damp. Generally leave tidying up until February. It is much better for the balance of your garden and the wildlife to leave things.

Q. What is the best method for applying seaweed? Bury it at the bottom of the rose beds, lay it down as fresh mulch, or add it to the compost?

A. Allow the rain to wash the salt off and put it onto the compost. It is a wonderful soil conditioner. It can look aesthetically odd if used fresh on the beds and will attract lots of flies. You can also steep it in water and use it as lawn feed. You will get an instant greening but make sure you really water it down as too strong a dose can cause damage.

Q. Could the panel suggest a quick fix for a sad and brown-looking bed which is often hit by southwesterly gales?

A. You need to introduce evergreen foliage and colour that will last throughout the season. Try Hellebores, Cyclamen or Bergenia Ciliata. At the back end try Schizostylis. Nerines would be ok if you planted them planted deep enough, about 6-9 inches (15-22cm), so that they establish themselves and the wind won't rot them. This depth is contrary to the usual advice, but it will protect them from being knocked over by the wind. Euonymus Silver Queen will provide structure and can be clipped into variegated spheres. Mediterranean planting will cope well in these conditions. Stipa Gigantean or the silver oat grass will grow to about 1.8 m tall and will look wonderful in the breeze. Beneath this you could use Artemisia Arborescens for its silver foliage. Ozothamnus is very fast growing or Ozothamnus Rosmarinifolius has foliage like a Rosemary. One variety you could try would be Silver Jubilee.

Q. Why do I have problems planting snowdrops?

A. It appears that you may not be planting them deep enough. The lack of depth combined with sandy soil suggests that they are drying out. Planting them at the end of the summer means that they won't have enough moisture. Try planting them in February or March. They also like a lot of organic material, so improve the soil and give them plenty of water.

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