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Pembrokeshire

Kathy Clugston and the panel are in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for this week's horticultural programme.

Kathy Clugston and the panel are in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for the horticultural programme. Pippa Greenwood, Chris Beardshaw and Anne Swithinbank field the questions.

This week, the panellists suggest plants that can withstand the coastal storms and salty rain typical of this part of Wales. They also explain why a young mulberry tree might not be doing so well, and puzzle over a flock of sparrows that appear to be vegetarian.

Away from the questions, Anne Swithinbank heads over to the glass house at the The National Botanic Garden of Wales. She meets with Russell Beeton who shows her some exquisitely exotic plants.

Producer: Dan Cocker
Assistant Producer: Aniya Das

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

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 31 Jul 2022 14:00

Plant List

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

Ìý

Q – I have a massive problem with Arum italicum spread throughout my garden. Why do they sell it without warning of its invasiveness?

(1 minute 30 seconds)

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Q – I have a supply of spent hops from a local brewery. Can I put this on directly as a mulch or should I mix and compost it first?

(4 minutes)

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Q – My neighbour grows lettuce but this year sparrows have devastated her crop. She can’t see any pests, does she have vegetarian sparrows?

(6 minutes 32 seconds)

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Q – I planted an asparagus bed 4 years ago, and I’d like to know why it’s not more productive?

(10 minutes 28 seconds)

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Feature – Anne Swithinbank heads to The National Botanic Garden of Wales to learn about some exotic plants

(14 minutes 35 seconds)

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AnigozanthosÌýflavidus, Kangaroo paw
Anigozanthos rufus, Kangaroo paw

Protea cynaroides

LeucadendronÌý'Safari Sunset'

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Q – My son owns a cottage on the Pembrokeshire coast which is surrounded on three sides by seawater. It’s difficult to keep plants alive during the stormy windy weather. Do you have any suggestions for this location?

(23 minutes 2 seconds)

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Pippa –

Tamarix tetrandra
GriseliniaÌýlittoralis

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Chris –

Crocosmia

Chives

Fuchsia magellanica

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Anne –

Sea kale

Eryngium, Sea holly

EchiumÌývulgare, Viper’s bugloss
AnthemisÌýcupaniana, Sicilian chamomile

Q – We have a three year old mulberry tree, but it seems to be dying back. What could be the problem?

(26 minutes 35 seconds)

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Q – Can the panel suggest an especially pretty crab apple tree that can withstand our coastal climate?

(30 minutes 30 seconds)

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Chris –
Malus toringo

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Q – My radishes are about 4-5 weeks old. They are in the ground with rich organic compost. The leaves are in full foliage and very green, but the bulb of the radishes are very long and thin. They only gets sun from 3-4pm in the afternoon. What could be done?

(34 minutes 25 seconds)

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Q – My husband and I have an allotment that is totally organic. Can we always expect less produce than our allotment neighbours that aren’t organic?

(37 minutes 2 seconds)

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  • Sun 31 Jul 2022 14:00

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