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Is ivy poisonous to most type of trees? What plants could I grow on my allotment that are low maintenance? Kathy Clugston and the panel provide the answers.

Is ivy poisonous to most type of trees? Does the strain of F1 hybrid seeds deteriorate over time? What plants could I grow on my allotment that are low maintenance?

Kathy Clugston and a panel of gardening experts are in Solihull to answer gardening queries from an audience of keen gardeners. On the panel this week are garden designer Bunny Guinness, self proclaimed botanical geek James Wong, and plantswoman Christine Walkden.

Also, Matthew Wilson delivers a step by step guide on how to maintain a greenhouse during the spring.

Senior Producer: Bethany Hocken
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod
Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Plant List

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

Q – How can I determine the sex of a holly tree plant so I can find it a suitable mate? (1’20”)

Q – When’s the best time to prune a Pyracantha plant to receive lots of berries? (2’55”)

Q – Should I remove the plants of my herbaceous border before construction work starts? – if not how can I protect them? (4’16”)

Q – Is ivy poisonous to most type of trees? (6’31”)

Q – What plants could I grow on my allotment that are low maintenance? (11’09”)

Christine Walkden –

Pumpkin

Squash

Ground beans

Bunny Guinness –

Raspberries

Artichokes

Courgettes

Rhubarb

Squash

Feature – Matthew Wilson’s guide to maintaining a greenhouse during the spring (15’09”)

Q – Is there anything wrong with me using the ash from my log burner in my soil? (21’39”)

Q – Does the strain of F1 hybrid seeds deteriorate over time? (23’44”)

Q – Could the panel suggest a trailing or feature plant I can put in my terracotta? (29’26”)

James Wong –

Magnoliagrandiflora, evergreen magnolia

Soleiroliasoleirolii, mind-your-own-business

Christine Walkden –

Ginkgobiloba, maidenhair tree

Lysimachianummularia 'Aurea', golden creeping Jenny

Bunny Guinness –

Quercus suber, cork oak

Abutilon

Plumbago, leadwort

Jasminumpolyanthum, many-flowered jasmine

Yew (Taxus baccata)

Q – What can be done to encourage more young people to take up gardening? (34'05)


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