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GQT at Home: Perennials and Fennels

Kathy Clugston hosts the horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts.

Kathy Clugston hosts the horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts. Bunny Guinness, Pippa Greenwood and Bob Flowerdew answer questions from green-fingered listeners.

This week, the team tries to figure out why one listener's carrots are going wonky, discusses the best place to keep succulents over winter, and advises how to stop fennel from bolting.

Away from the questions, Humaira Ikram meets author and tree-enthusiast Paul Wood to discover the surprising history behind some of London's street trees, and Chris Thorogood gives us the terrifying tale behind the Vampire plant.

Producer - Dan Cocker
Assistant Producer - Jemima Rathbone

A Somethin' Else production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 15 Nov 2020 14:00

Plant List

Q – Why do our carrots go wonky? (1 minute 25)

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Q – When is the best time to cut-back perennials? (4 minute 25)

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Bunny – Strobilanthes

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Q – I have bought plants from my local nursery. I have not re-potted them in my patio pots – am I harming the plants keeping them in their existing plastic pots? Or am I too late? (7 minutes 30)

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Q – I have some variegated-leaved hostas in pots which get ruined by slugs every year. How can I stop the slugs from ruining my hosta leaves? (10 minutes 15)

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Bob – Chinese cabbage

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Feature – Humaira Ikram with Paul Wood discovering London Street Trees (14 minutes)

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Plane trees

Persian lilac – Melia azedarach

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Q – I love Japanese Acers but I live on the edge of Sheffield where it can be a bit windy. I know that Acers don’t like the wind but are there any varieties which are resistant to the wind but still colourful? (19 minutes 15)

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Bunny – Acer palmatum

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Bob – Elderberry

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Pippa – Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ Elderberry

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Q – A new activity this year has been propagating succulents. I now have several plants, mostly small in the garden. Can I keep them outdoors or do I need to move them into the house? (22 minutes 10)

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Bob – Sedum spectabile

Opuntia

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Bunny – Agave

Opuntia

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Q – There are a few gaps in our borders which require some year-round colour. Do you have any suggestions which can cope with Scottish weather? (24 minutes 45)

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Bunny – Clematis durandii

Rosa Jacques Cartier

Geranium ‘Rozanne’

Rosa Mutabilis

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Bob – Blueberries

Mahonia

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Pippa – Autumn Crocus

Colchicum

Winter aconite

Snowdrops

Crocus

Daffodils

Tulips

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Feature – Chris Thorogood on Vampire Plants (29 minutes 30)

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Ivy broomrape

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Q – I have been trying to grow Florence fennel for a few years. How can I stop it from bolting? (34 minutes 10)

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Q – I have recently given birth to a baby boy. I would like to grow a tree that will grow with him. My garden is small and south facing. I already have Rowen and Olive trees.Ìý Do the panel have any suggestions? (37 minutes 25)

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Bob – Apricot

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Pippa – Cornus canadensis

Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’

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Bunny – Quince

Quince ‘Serbian Gold’

Quince ‘Isfahan’

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Broadcasts

  • Fri 13 Nov 2020 15:00
  • Sun 15 Nov 2020 14:00

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