How can you get a second season out of tulips grown in pots? What is the most natural and cost-effective way to add nutrients to my soil? How do you garden with hedgehogs in mind?
Kathy Clugston and her team of gardening experts return to Bangor, Northern Ireland where they solve some gardening dilemmas. Joining her are ethnobotanist James Wong, garden designer Neil Porteous, and Head of Gardens at Balmoral Kirsty Wilson.
Later in the programme, continuing our Edible Essential Series is Bob Flowerdew, who provides the top fruits and vegetable to add to your shopping list this season.
Producer: Bethany Hocken
Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
Plant List
Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.
Q- What should I do with my phalaenopsis orchid? (01'24")
Q- How do I look after auriculas during the summer? (05'02")
Q- How can you get a second season out of tulips grown in pots? (06’57")
Q- I’ve killed four Japanese acers over the years – what am I doing wrong? (19'30")
Feature – Bob Flowerdew’s edible shopping list. What fruit and veg you should grow this season (14'41")
Bob Flowerdew –
Asparagus officinalis, asparagus
Ribes nigrum, blackcurrant
Chillies
Allium sativum, garlic
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, globe artichokes
Helianthus tuberosus, Jerusalem artichokes
Allium cepa, onions
Solanum tuberosum, potatoes
Raphanus sativus, radish
Rubus idaeus, raspberries
Ribes rubrum, redcurrants
Rheum rhabarbarum, rhubarb
Allium cepa var. aggregatum, shallots
Fragaria × ananassa, strawberries
Zea mays var. saccharate, sweetcorn
Q- My soil is very much depleted of nutrients. What is the most natural and cost-effective way to remedy this? (18'44")
Q – What shrubs could I grow in containers that are exposed to extreme winds and sea salt? (23'36")
Neil Porteous –
Grevillea rosmarinifolia, rosemary grevillea
Euphorbia stygiana subsp. Santamaria,
Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius, sea rosemary
Kirsty Wilson –
Phormium tenax, New Zealand flax
Hakonechloa macra, Japanese forest grass
James Wong –
Pinus pinea, stone pine
Q - How do you garden with hedgehogs in mind? (29'38")
Q - I’m just about to dig out an area for a large pond. What plants do the panel recommend I use to get me started? (31’20")
James Wong –
Soleirolia soleirolii, mind-your-own-business
Nymphaea, waterlilies
Kirsty Wilson –
Iris pseudacorus, yellow iris
Hosta, Plantain lily
Astilbe, astilbe
Meconopsis, Himalayan poppy
Cyperus alternifolius L., umbrella plant
Neil Porteous –
Eryngium, sea holly
Eryngium pandanifolium, pandan-like-leaved eryngo
Q - Can you recommend some plants that are showstoppers and conversation starters? (37'21")
Kirsty Wilson –
Nepeta 'Blue Dragon', catmint 'Blue Dragon'
Neil Porteous –
Vitex lucens, puriri
James Wong –
Mahonia, oregon grape
Daphne
Gardeners' Question Time