Question I have a Xylosteum (fly honeysuckle) growing in my garden. Please could you tell me if the red berries growing in the winter are poisonous? I have several young children and am concerned for their welfare. Answer The berries on the fly honeysuckle are mildly poisonous so I wouldn't > … [Read more...]
Questions for September 2007
28 June 2009 By Leave a Comment
Question: Could you let me know how to prune Iceland Poppies? Answer: Iceland Poppies are Biennials which means that they flower the year after they are sown and then die. Therefore, they do not require pruning. Once they are past their best pull them up. They often seed themselves so you may get … [Read more...]
Questions for August 2007
28 June 2009 By Leave a Comment
Question: I bought a lavender tree lavandula dentata I planted about 6weeks ago it does say its hare had only the odd night of frost but don t expose to prolonged frost we have had only the odd night of frost since I bought it I have noticed today there are one or two brown spikes on it and the rest … [Read more...]
Pruning Fruit Trees
3 April 2009 By Leave a Comment
Question: Is it OK to prune unwanted limbs off a pear tree after is begins to bloom. One of my trees is an eating pear and the other is a canning pear. Has not been pruned in years and need to get rid of dead limbs and cross overs. Answer: Apple and pear trees should be pruned every winter to … [Read more...]
How to Prune Wisteria
25 February 2009 By Leave a Comment
To ensure a good display of flowers Wisteria needs to be pruned twice a year. Make sure that your secateurs are sharp to avoid crushing or tearing the stems, which may lead to die-back. Winter Pruning - Between October and mid March cut back this season's growth to two or three buds from the base. … [Read more...]
Pruning Clematis Jackmanii
28 January 2009 By Leave a Comment
Question: We have a clematis Niobe, which we have had for 5 or 6 years, it has never been cut back hard as the original label said to just trim. We now understand that it should have been cut back hard each year.At the moment it has pairs of healthy buds high up, with no pairs of healthy buds low … [Read more...]
Pruning Yew
9 January 2009 By Leave a Comment
Question: When and how to prune common yew tree. Answer: You can cut yew back very hard if you want to, as well as helping to keep the tree in good shape it also promotes new growth. Wait until the Spring when all risk of frost has passed. … [Read more...]
Pruning Penstemons
18 December 2008 By Leave a Comment
Question: Do I cut back PENSTEMONS before winter or leave them alone? Answer: It is best to leave Penstemons over the winter the old stems help to shelter the new shoots from frost. In late April or early May you need to have a look at each plant. If the plant has new shoots growing from the bottom … [Read more...]
