Gardeners' Question Time St Austell: Kiwis, Proud Plants and Frozen Seeds
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Sep 26, 2025 Join horticulturist Anne Swithinbank, award-winning designer Chris Beardshaw, and expert Frances Tophill as they tackle a live audience's burning gardening questions. Discover how kiwis bear fruit in the UK and the best practices for propagating tricky plants. The panel shares their proudest moments in plant propagation, debunk myths about freezing seeds in ice cubes, and offers tips on dividing perennials for autumn. Plus, learn how to revitalize your outdoor space with wind-tolerant grasses and clever recycling of garden materials!
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Hydrangea Care: Ground Over Pots
- Plant hydrangeas in the ground where possible because they need more root room, moisture and nutrients.
- If kept in pots, use soil-based compost, a non-porous pot, shade the base and mulch to retain moisture.
Train Kiwis Like Grapevines
- Train and prune kiwi vines like grapes: one strong vertical, horizontals and shortened side shoots to encourage fruiting.
- Consider adding a second vine for cross-pollination even with self-fertile varieties to boost fruit set.
Reimagine A Hedge, Don't Just Remove It
- Remove offending shrubs you dislike but replace with plants that provide the same wildlife and privacy functions.
- Rebuild as a layered mixed hedge using natives and climbers to retain bird habitat while improving appearance.