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Q – What are the best plants to go under a walnut tree?Ìý

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Christine – Problem is that walnuts secrete chemicals through allelopathy.ÌýÌý The answer is very little apart from nettles, the Lamiums (Dead-nettles) for example, sometimes grow. ÌýSome of the summer-flowering Ranunculaceae might work.Ìý

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Eric – Variegated Ground Elder does very well!

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Bob – American Walnut is worse the English.Ìý I can grow some soft fruit and Globe Artichokes nearby.Ìý Cardoons too.Ìý

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James – Try growing in pots underneath.

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Q – I have a Wasabi in a large pot that looks good in winter but not in summer. Why?

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James – Wasabi has an opposite season to most plants we’re used to so don’t worry about it.Ìý If you shade it and keep it cooler (10-12 degrees) it will be less brown in the summer

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Bob – Don’t water it with tap water – use rain

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Q – We are having a plant sale in a few weeks.Ìý What are your most interesting finds from plant sales?

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Bob – Impatiens niamniamensis (‘Parrot Plant’).Ìý It’s like a ‘Busy Lizzie’.Ìý

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James – Jade plant

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Christine – Mandrakes

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Q – Fourteen years ago we planted a hedge made of Hawthorn, Spindle, Field maple, Holly and Dog-rose.Ìý We aren’t getting flowers or berries, why?

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Bob – It’ll be because you’re pruning off last year’s growth and that’s where the flowers grow.Ìý You could add ‘Lords and Ladies’ (wild Arums) at the bottom.Ìý Ivies too.Ìý

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Q – Could the panel suggest a long-keeping apple?

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Bob – ‘Granny Smith’

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Christine – ‘Worcester Pearmain’

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James – ‘Redlove’ is a variety full of antioxidants like anthocyanin

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Eric – Keswick Codlin

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Q – Is it possible to grow a Daphne shrub in a large pot?

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Bob – They don’t live long.Ìý Most reliable is Daphne Odora 'aureomarginata'.Ìý Retusa and tangutica are ok.Ìý The deciduous mezereum is very short-lived.Ìý They need leaf mould in the soil.Ìý The Burkwoodii hybrid series are brilliant too.

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Christine – You can get better growth if you protect the pot from the cold, including protecting the collar of the pot

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From the postbag re: Tomato Blight:

Varieties mentioned - ‘Red Alert’, ‘Maskotka’, ‘Crimson Crush’, ‘Pink Brandywine’, Sungold’

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Q – When and how should I divide Hellebores?

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Christine – Anytime after they’ve finished flowering if they’re orientalis

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Q – I was given a contorted Hazel fifteen years ago.Ìý It’s too big now.Ìý What can I do about pruning?

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Bob – They are very tough.Ìý Cut it back hard but wait till the autumn.Ìý

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Q – How can I get my Chaenomeles to flower?

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Bob – Get it into the ground and water it well

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Christine – Feed it with sulphate of potash

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James – It’s harder to keep pot plants warm and watered than putting them in the ground

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Q – I’ve prepared raised beds and a fruit cage on my allotment.Ìý What fruit and vegetables can I put in them?

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Christine – Grow whatever you like to eat!Ìý Sweetcorn ‘Northern Lights’ is good

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James – Four starters: Boysenberries

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Bob – Tayberries.Ìý Cosmos potatoes for chips!

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Eric – ‘Whinam’s Industry’ gooseberry

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Bob – ‘Langley Gage’ is sweeter!