Vale of Pewsey
Can a mixture of coca-cola and milk help revive a neglected plant? How do you protect salvias during the winter? Peter Gibbs and the panel have all the answers in this week's GQT.
Can a mixture of coca-cola and milk help revive a neglected plant? When should I start feeding my germinated seedling compost? How do you protect salvias during the winter?
Peter Gibbs and a panel of horticultural experts provide some much-needed advice to an audience in the Vale of Pewsey. On the panel are pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood, house plant specialist Anne Swithinbank, and award-winning garden designer Chris Beardshaw.
Later in the programme, regular panellist Dr Chis Thorogood takes us on an adventure deep into the jungle searching for a wild jade plant.
Producer: Dominic Tyerman
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
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Plant List
Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.
Q – Can a mixture of Coca-Cola and milk help to revive a neglected plant? (1’14”)
Q
– Any tips on how to navigate gardening in a frost pocket garden? (4’20”)Q – When should I start feeding compost to my germinated seedling? (8’30”)
Q – What can I replace my deceased cherry tree with? that will make a statement (12’41”)
Chris Beardshaw –
Robiniahispida, rose acacia
Fagussylvatica 'Dawyck', dawyck beech
Fagussylvatica 'Dawyck Gold', beech 'Dawyck Gold'
Fagussylvatica 'Dawyck Purple', beech 'Dawyck Purple'
Paulowniatomentosa, foxglove tree
Anne Swithinbank –
Koelreuteriapaniculata, golden rain tree
Cladrastislutea, yellow wood or Cladrastiskentukea, yellow wood
Stewartia
Feature – Dr Chris Thorogood Jade hunting in the Philippines (18’16”)
Q – Which salvias are the panel’s favourite? Any tips on how to protect them during the winter? (22’44”)
Anne Swithinbank –
Salvia × sylvestris
Salviapratensis
Salvia nemorosa 'Amethyst', balkan clary 'amethyst'
Salvianemorosa 'Caradonna',balkan clary 'Caradonna'
Salvia × sylvestris 'Dear Anja', hybrid sage 'Dear Anja'
Salviapatens, gentian sage
Chris Beardshaw –
Salvianemorosa 'Caradonna',balkan clary 'Caradonna'
Salvia × sylvestris 'Mainacht', wood sage 'Mainacht'
Salviauliginosa, bog sage
Verbenabonariensis, purple top
Pippa Greenwood –
Salvia 'Hot Lips', sage 'Hot Lips'
Q – What could I grow between May and June? (27’15”)
Anne Swithinbank –
Digitalis, fox gloves
Dianthusbarbatus, sweet william
Hesperis matronalis, sweet rocket
Lonicera, honey suckle
Wisterias
Chris Beardshaw –
Paeonia, Peony
Papaver orientale, oriental poppy
Pippa Greenwood –
Geraniums
Dicentraspectabilis, bleeding heart
Allium
Q – Why have the Rosa Rugosas in my mixed hedge started dying off? (32’00”)
Q – Can I replace my old hydrangea 'Annabelle' with a new one that’s less troublesome? (36'01")
Broadcasts
- Fri 8 Mar 202415:00BBC Radio 4
- Sun 10 Mar 202414:00BBC Radio 4
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Gardeners' Question Time
Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts


