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What plants could I use for flavouring in my gin? What's eaten the heads of my daffodils? What hardy exotic plants could I grow? Peter Gibbs and his panel have the answers.

What type of plants could I grow to use as flavouring in my gin? What's eaten the heads of my daffodils? What hardy exotic plants could I grow in my garden?

Peter Gibbs and his league of horticultural experts are in Reading for this week's episode of Gardeners' Question Time.

Joining Peter to unearth answers to the audience's gardening conundrums are passionate plantsman Matthew Biggs, garden designer Juliet Sargeant and self proclaimed botany geek James Wong.

Later in the show, we hear from Chris Beardshaw who shares advice on the best type of pots to put your plants in during the spring.

Producer: Dominic Tyerman

Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 14 Apr 202414:00
BBC Radio 4

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Plant List

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

Q – What has eaten the heads of my daffodils? (3’06")

Q – I’m trying to make my own gin, what other things do the panel suggest I plant to use as flavouring? (6’20")

Matt Biggs –

Irispseudacorus, yellow iris

Iris 'Florentina' (IB/TB), orrice root

James Wong –

Pandanusamaryllifolius, pandan wangi

Juliet Sargeant –

Chamaemelumnobile, common chamomile

Melissaofficinalis, lemon balm

Fragariavesca (F), alpine Strawberries

Q – Is it worth grafting my tomato plant or should I leave it alone? (08’50")

Q – What can I grow underneath yew trees? (12’24")

Juliet Sargeant –

Cyclamen coum

Cyclamen hederifolium

Pachysandraterminalis,japanese spurge

Matt Biggs –

Euphorbia Robbiae, mrs robb's bonnet

Brunnera macrophylla, siberian bugloss

Eranthishyemalis 'Orange Glow', winter aconite 'orange glow'

Rambler roses

Feature – Chris Beardshaw’s guide to picking the perfect pot for your plants (14’25")

Q – Is it worth having a polytunnel when I’m constantly regulating its temperature? (23’31")

Q – Which veg can be planted in raised plugs and during the spring? (27’19")

James Wong –

Tomatoes

Bush tomatoes

Sun gold tomatoes

Chillies

Courgettes

Matt Biggs –

Chards

Lettuces

Q – What hardy exotic plants could I grow in my garden? (32’41")

Juliet Sargeant –

Canna Lillies

Calla Lillies

Gingers

Lemon Grass

Matt Biggs –

Catalpabignonioides,indian beam trees

Paulowniatomentosa, foxglove tree

Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' (f/v), japanese laurel 'Crotonifolia'

Begonia sutherlandii, sutherland begonia

Begoniagrandis subsp. Evansiana, hardy begonia

James Wong –

Pleione, indian crocus

Bletillastriata, common bletilla

Calanthe

Cypripedium

Dendrobium

Q – Why do allotments seem to attract interesting people with interesting characteristics? (37’48")

Broadcasts

  • Fri 12 Apr 202415:00
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 14 Apr 202414:00
    BBC Radio 4

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