Chelsea Flower Show 2024 - Potting Shed Part 2

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

Q – The tips of my spider plant have turned brown and fallen off – is this normal? (01’12”)

Q – What kind of growing conditions do mahonias like to grow in? (05’19”)

Q – How do I get rid of bamboo? (08’00”)

Q – What’s the secret to growing rhubarb? (10’36”)

Q – Last year I planted over seventy alliums, but this year only six have flowered – why has this happened? (14’53”)

Matthew Pottage –

Allium cristophii, star of Persia

Allium 'Purple Rain', allium 'Purple Rain'

Q – What’s the powdery mildew that’s been growing on my guelder roses? (17’36”)

Q – Has something been eating my amelanchier or is it just stressed? (20’05”)

Q – My crab apple trees have been infested with woolly aphids – should I introduce lady birds, or will it not be necessary? (21’22”)

Feature – Dulcie Whadcock interview Jodie Bryan from Cayley Brothers about growing mushrooms at home. (25’58”)

Jodie Byran –

Grey Oyster Mushrooms

Cordyceps Mushroom

Q – What would be your suggestion for planting smaller conifers that aren't leylandii hedges? (36’02”)

Matthew Pottage –

Pinusmugo, dwarf mountain pine

Q – A few of our plants, including the hydrangea, have completely flopped and gone brown – can I save them? (29’20”) 

Q – What's the simplest way of making my garden filled with weeds look aesthetically good? (32’20”) 

Q – What’s the best way to unclog a pond filled with Lilies, Irises and weeds? (35’18”) 

Matthew Biggs –

Potentillafruticosa 'King Cup', shrubby cinquefoil 'King Cup'

Ranunculus, buttercup

Trollius × cultorum 'Alabaster', globeflower

Butomusumbellatus, flowering rush

Q – What’s your favourite weed? (38’27”) 

Matthew Biggs –

Agrostemmagithago, corncockle

Digitalis, foxglove

Papavercambricum, welsh poppy

Myosotissylvatica, garden forget me not