Main content

Kathy and her crew of gardening geniuses are back to answer a variety of plant predicaments from the Causeway Coast.

Which unusual rhubarb varieties can I grow in Northern Ireland? Could the panel recommend a small tree for a seaside garden?- How can I encourage an apricot tree to produce more fruit?

Kathy and her crew of gardening geniuses are back to answer all these plant predicaments and more from the blustery Causeway Coast. Ready to offer their horticultural know-how from Northern Ireland are self-proclaimed botanical geek James Wong, passionate plantsman Neil Porteous, and experienced garden designer, Kirsty Wilson.

Later on, Neil Porteus gives us all his tips and tricks on how to coast through gardening with seaside conditions, strong sea breezes and unsheltered spots.

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Plant List

Q— There are no sheltered spots in my garden, but I would love to grow peonies. Am I setting myself up to fail?

(1 minute, 39 seconds)

Neil–

Peony

Hydrangea

Restiers 

Conyzacanadensis ‘Mare’s Tail’

James–

Herbaceous peony

Tree peony

Kirsty–

Delavay peony

Q– Are there any unusual rhubarb varieties I can grow in Northern Ireland?

(4 minutes, 46 seconds)

Q–Could the panel recommend a small tree for a seaside garden?

(7 minutes, 26 seconds)

Neil–

Clianthuspuniceus

Sorbus

Kirsty–

Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’

James–

Tamarix

Spanish broom

Q– How can I encourage an apricot tree to produce more fruit?

(11 minutes, 5 seconds)

Q— Everything I’ve planted around my rowan tree has died. What’s going on?

(23 minutes, 28 seconds)

Neil–

Begonia

Plectranthus

Plectranthus zuluensis

James–

Walnut

Eucalyptus

Coffee

Kirsty–

Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’

Dryopteris ‘Fern’

Hellebore

Hakonechloa ‘Japanese forest grass’

Q– Why have the leaves on my camellia turned yellow since transferring it from pot to ground?

(28 minutes, 17 seconds)

Neil–

Palm

Busy lizzie

Q— I’ve sewn a small area with an annual flower mix. It germinated really well, however the plants are growing too densely. What should I do?

(32 minutes, 50 seconds)

Neil–

Tulip

Q– How can I reduce scab on apple trees?

(36 minutes 58)

Broadcasts

  • Fri 19 May 202315:00
  • Sun 21 May 202314:00

Six of GQT’s naughtiest gardening innuendos

Six of GQT’s naughtiest gardening innuendos

When Gardeners' Question Time got mucky.

Podcast