Question
Dear gardener,
I hope you can give advice about a new hedge plant. A month ago we planted a new beech hedge and one of the plants now has yellowing curling leaves. The other plants' leaves are all bright green as they should be.
Valerie

Answer
This could be aphid damage in the leaf bud; aphids over-winter in leaf and flower buds and sometimes cause damage. It could also be a virus, which this one particular plant has. You say that your hedge has only been planted for a month, so your best course of action is to return the plant to the supplier for replacement.

Question
Hi, We have a very large flowerbed in our backyard against a hedge. We have always had rabbits but they seemed to leave the bed alone until this year. I have already planted annuals twice only to find them eaten by rabbits pretty much the next day. Is there any rabbit deterrent you know of?
Thank you, Susanne

Answer
There are many rabbit deterrents on the market some of them organic. They are widely available at garden outlets; the only trouble is that they wash off the plants when it rains. Fencing round with chicken wire is effective but costly; you must make sure that the wire is firmly implanted in the soil. The best cure of all is a terrier dog that likes chasing rabbits.

Question
Hello I wonder if you can help me.
I have just moved to this house and have a border that does not get any sun. Pansies, primula grow well, but I want to put in some suitable perennials plants to fill this bare space. Would hostas and ferns be suitable, but are there any other flowers to give colour in the summer?
Denise

Answer
Trollius; aquilegia; peony; lily of the valley; corydalis; forget me knots; Spanish bluebell; vinca; viola; campanula isophelia; hardy cyclamen; asparagus fern; ferns; hardy fuchsia. Shrubs: Hypericum Rose of Sharon; Spirea Anthony Waterer: Dwarf Rhododendron. Would all be of use to you.

Question
We have planted a garden at our home in Louisville KY for the second year in a row. We have a variety of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Although the plants are growing extremely well, the pepper plants are getting eaten alive.... we see holes in the leaves...and the stems are turning black.... my questions are:
(1) is this a disease or bug (2) suggestions for a remedy (3) will these plants produce peppers or should we start over?
Thanks, Tam and Glen

Answer
This could be one of three common pests. Flea beetle, a small fast moving beetle that likes to eat young plants. A very small green moth caterpillar, which hides in the leaf membrane, or most likely a small white snail, which hides underground during the day. You can spray against flea beetle and caterpillars; use slug bait against the snails. If the plants are badly eaten it will take a while for them to recover, and the peppers may not have time to mature.

If you were to plant over again, go for a variety that needs a shorter growing season.

Question
My neighbor planted a bamboo plant against my fence. I now have runners throughout my garden bed, into my lawn, going under my cement steps, etc., I'm sure you know my question, how can I stop this plant from invading my property? I've asked the neighbor to move it, she won't. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

She also has two lilac bushes/trees against the fence, which, also runs through the garden bed, wraps itself onto my rose bushes, gladiolas, any thing in its' path. Any suggestions?
Thanks, in advance.

Answer
The only way to stop bamboo is to sink a sheet of steel vertically about 4 feet into the ground along your fence line. Corrugated roofing sheets are ideal. Spray the runners in your yard with Glyphosate, the runners will absorb this and it will set them back.

As to other trees, I am not legally qualified, but I am led too believe that in many countries the law says that you can cut off any overhanging branches, but the trimmings remain the property of the tree owner and must be handed over the fence line on to your neighbours property.

Check with your local municipal authority or local agricultural department as to the exact state of the laws governing this problem in your area.

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Question
Our lilac bush did not bloom this year. It shows no sign of disease or dead branches. What could be wrong?

Answer
This sounds like a deficiency of phosphates in the soil. Feed with a low nitrogen, high potash, high phosphate, fertiliser. e.g. 5/20/20 mix; this will feed the flower buds without producing too much leaf. An application of garden lime will also help to bring the soil into better condition.

Question
Hi, just discovered your site, fantastic!!! I planted a Eucalyptus tree last spring in my front garden and it did really well but outgrew its area, so I have recently moved it to the rear garden and it seems to be giving up on me, the leaves have gone crunchy and there are small black spots, is this likely to be a disease of some sort of is it because it's been moved? What shall I do? Can you help!!!

Answer
Young eucalyptus trees are very fickle and can practically die overnight if you upset them. Feed with a high nitrogen fertiliser, keep well watered and hope for the best, it may shoot out new growth from the main stem. But don't be too hopeful.

Question
Our large hydrangea leafed out this year with leaves 1/3 the size of last year's. There appears to be some sort of leaf curl on the small leaves. The entire shrub appears to be very unhealthy. Any idea what we've got going here? Dan

Answer
This could be damage from aphids over wintering in the buds in which case later leaves will probably be normal. Or it could be a virus called leaf curl. Spray with Bordeaux mixture now and again in late summer.

Question
Why won't my peony bloom?

Answer
Peonies love the sun; they need plenty of water while the flower is forming and during the actual flowering period. They do tend to suffer from various fungal infections and are best sprayed with Bordeaux mixture in the early spring and in late summer. Peonies really need a good frost to kill of these fungal infections and also, to drive the plant into winter dormancy.

Question
Recently my hubby and I planted marigolds by the garden to deter certain bugs but when I went out 2 days after being planted, just the flowers were gone and the stem was bare. What is causing this and how do I stop it?

Also my dad is an elderly gentleman and asked me to plant flowers in his large round planters. I planted pansies and they did well for about 4-5 days. Now he is experiencing the same problem with the flowers missing and the stems there. I cannot fence in the planters as he lives a small trailer park and it would look out of place. How do I help him?
Desperate for answers in PA

Answer
This sounds very much like rabbit attack. This seems to be worse when the weather is very dry, putting a bowl of water near the flowers will sometimes minimise the problem. There are many products on the market too deter rabbits some of them organic, give them a try if the trouble persists.

Question
Dear sir, I have just planted 5 clematis in my garden to grow up a trellis, this I did 4 days ago, now the clematises look withered and dead, please can you advise me where I have gone wrong or is this normal to happen and they pick up later, will be grateful for any help you can offer.
Thank you, Ian, Ann

Answer
At the nursery clematis are kept in protected areas over the winter, this encourages early growth that is very tender. These tender shoots are often damaged by the wind when the plants are exposed to the elements, new shoots should appear in the near future. Keep on watering.

Question
Hi Can I grow Olive trees in the North? I live nr Manchester. Also can I grow them in a container,
Thanks Terry

Answer
Olives can be grown in the north of England but need protection from the winter winds, the fruit set will be poor so don't expect too much of them.

May     Glorious flowers of spring     ------------