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Q. I removed the seed from a double-headed marigold but they have not germinated. Why would this be?

A. Anne – It is probably the Vanilla variety. The seed may not have been ripe and should have been a dark-brown colour. You need to make sure they are stored in a cool and dry position.

Pippa – You should leave the seed head on the plant for as long as possible before collecting.

Matt – You will find them easier to germinate if you use a propagator and keep the compost moist.

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Q. My blackthorn bushes have been growing well, but this year the berries are light green and elongated. What has gone wrong?

A. Pippa – This is a fungal infection caused by taphrina pruni. It is also known as Pocket Plum, and they will increase in size and turn white. If it has only affected a small area then you can pick them off before they turn white.

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Q. I will shortly be moving to a rented property. Could the panel suggest some plants that I could enjoy now and also take with me.

A. Anne – Blueberries need ericaceous soil so are often grown in tubs and easy to move. They provide attractive flowers, berries and autumn colour.

Pippa – There are many vegetables that could be cropped within a season. I would also plant shrubs for tubs and under plant with bedding plants and bulbs for all round colour.

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Q. I would like to know whether a camomile lawn would survive beneath the shade of a beech tree.

A. Pippa – I think you will struggle because beech will completely block out the light. There are very few species that can grow underneath beech – bluebells, Paris quadrifolia and wood anemones.

Matt – You could create a camomile seat in a sunnier part of the garden. It would be like a giant seed tray with loam-based compost and the Treneague variety.

Anne – I would also add urns full of the flowering variety Anthemis puncata cupaniana with its silver foliage and silver daisies.

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Q. Could the panel suggest some plants that will grow on chalk?

A. Anne – Clematis grow very well on chalk. Avoid all plants that require a deep or acidic soil. Honeysuckles will do well such as the upright, shrubby Twinberry. The tree peonies and Persian lilac also do very well in chalk.

Pippa – I have had a lot of success on chalky soils with plants such as hellebores, sedum, sarcococca, cyclamen, foxgloves, and Japanese anemone. Beech and hornbeam will do well for hedging.

Anne – Rockii tree peonies thrive in chalk gardens and look very striking with their dark splodges on the white flowers.

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Q. The leaves on my ornamental peach tree have curled up and developed red tinges. What has happened?

A. – Pippa – This is a classic symptom of Peach leaf curl. They develop a bloom like a fine white dusting. The leaves will turn bright shades of purple, pink and red. You will need to remove any leaves that are showing symptoms to prevent the spores from being spread by the wind or rain. You don’t want the spores to remain on the plant over winter. You can also provide a shelter to prevent spores from landing on it.

Matt – Seaweed solution will help the tree to recover.

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Q. Could the panel suggest some quick growing, scented climbers for a pergola?

A. Matt – the yellow Banksian rose would do well in a sheltered site. Twist them in a spiral to slow the sap flow and to lengthen the flowering period. Clematis Monata would do a great job.

Anne – My favourite combination is the red climbing rose Etoile de hollande and the Dutch honeysuckle. Jasminum humile revolutum will produce a wonderful scent if planted in a sunny spot.

Pippa – The Zephirine drouhin rose has screaming pink flowers, great fragrance and is thorn free. It will need some extra care because it is very prone to disease.

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