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Which colourful plants thrive in shady, chalky soil? How can I reach into borders without treading on emerging plants? Can leaving weeds help veg crops? The GQT panel answers all.

Peter Gibbs and the GQT team are in Chaldon.

Peter's joined by Anne Swithinbank, Pippa Greenwood and Matthew Pottage.

This week the panel take on a wide range of gardening dilemmas, from how to reach into borders without treading on emerging plants, to which colourful plants thrive in shady, chalky soil. When it comes to growing veg, the team also has answers on whether leaving weeds in place can help crops during extreme heat, and tips on non‑chemical approaches to protecting cabbages and sprouts from hungry pests.

The panellists also discuss how their plant recommendations have changed over the years, and which plants they now avoid altogether!

Later in the show, we hear from Peter’s visit to RHS Wisley where he spoke with RHS Chief Horticultural Advisor, Guy Barter, and Botanist and Taxonomist, Dr Kálmán Könyves to follow up on last year’s Daffodil diaries scheme.

Producer: Matthew Smith

Assistant Producer: William Norton

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

* If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 22 Feb 202614:00
BBC Radio 4

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Plant List

Q1 - What exercises can I do so that I can reach the weed or plant the plant that my wife is pointing at in the garden without treading on the precious things all around it? (1’44”)

 Q2 - How can I divide the large named flower Begonia? (5’01)

Anne Swithinbank

  • Begonia × tuberhybrida, hybrid tuberous begonia

Q3 - Why is my Campsis barely flowering? Should I replace it? (10’01”)

Matthew Pottage

  • Campsis (named cultivars)

  • Campsis (Jazz Series cvs.)

Anne Swithinbank

  • Campsis × tagliabueana, ‘Madame Galen’

Q4 - Why are my Brussels sprouts always small?(14’01”)

FEATURE - Peter visits RHS Wisley where he speaks with RHS Chief Horticultural Advisor, Guy Barter, and Botanist and Taxonomist, Dr Kálmán Könyves to follow up on last year’s Daffodil diaries scheme.
Read more and get involved at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/daffodil-diaries

Narcissus, 'Sussex Bonfire'.

Narcissus, 'Mrs R.O. Backhouse',

Narcissus, 'Mrs William Copeland'

Q5 - Should I leave weeds between vegetables after they helped in last summer’s extreme heat? (23’31”)

Q6 - Which colourful plants thrive in chalky, shady soil? (28’31”)

Pippa Greenwood

  • Epimedium spp.

  • Helleborus spp., Hellebore

  • Cyclamen

  • Pulmonaria spp., Lungwort

  • Galanthus spp., Snowdrops

  • Eranthis hyemalis, Winter aconite

Matthew Pottage

  • Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’

  • Daphnemezereum, mezereon

  • Ceanothus, Californian lilac

  • Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Ursula's Red'

Anne Swithinbank

  • Hydrangea (pink-flowering cultivars)

  • Hardy fuchsias

  • Athyrium niponicum var. pictum , painted lady fern

  • Athyrium ‘Ghost’, lady fern 'Ghost'

Q7 - How can I protect cabbages and sprouts without chemicals? (32’34”)

Q8 - Which plants do you now recommend (or avoid) compared to earlier years? (35’44” )

Pippa Greenwood

  • Now avoids: Prunus spinosa, Blackthorn

Matthew Pottage

(No specific plant recommendation)

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 Feb 202615:00
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 22 Feb 202614:00
    BBC Radio 4

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