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Q – Are any vegetables susceptible to being eaten by toads?

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Pippa – The toad won’t be eating the vegetables but he will be waiting to eat the slugs.

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Q – I have been growing an avocado plant for two years; when will I get fruit?

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Pippa – It’s unlikely to fruit I’m afraid

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Anne – It might be possible in London (as it is warmer) but not in the countryside

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Q – Plants like bergenia and epimedium are becoming popular again.Ìý What other unloved plants deserve another chance?

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Pippa – It is often quite cyclical like most fashions

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Anne – Heathers.Ìý

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Chris – Labernum. Sorbus aria.Ìý Be cautious reviving Pampas as it has certain connotations…

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Anne – Mahonia.Ìý Flowering currants.Ìý

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Q – My Wisteria was already old when I moved in 58 years ago.Ìý Will it survive much longer?Ìý It provides a home to bugs and other animals.Ìý

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Anne – I think these old plants take a while to die down

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Chris – This looks like the Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and they can grow to 150ft (45m) and are very resilient.Ìý If you do want to prune it then do it in the summer.Ìý

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Q – Can I grow apricots on my allotment in Herefordshire?

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Chris – Perfectly feasible.Ìý Put it in a sheltered spot if possible.Ìý You might need to aid the pollination.Ìý Make sure you prune it back too to encourage growth.

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Q – I am planning to plant my front garden as a prairie garden in the style of Piet Oudolf.Ìý Do you have any advice please?

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Chris – These are gardens based on the American prairies and are made up of graminoids (grasses), herbaceous perennials and bulbs.Ìý It is less maintenance than a regular herbaceous border.Ìý Start by turning the ground over, then plant a dense mix of perennials and grasses (7-10 plants per square metre).Ìý Typical plants would be Salvias, Rudbeckias, Gaura, Echinacea, Eupatorium, Asters.Ìý Then scythe down and mulch once a year.

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Q – Can you suggest drought-tolerant but colourful bedding plants for my pots and hangers?Ìý

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Pippa – Pelargoniums. ‘Balcon’ Geraniums.

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Anne – Mesembryanthemum or ‘Livingstone Daisies’.Ìý Lampranthus.Ìý

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Pippa – Gazanias

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Chris – Osteospermum.Ìý Sempervibum. Sedums.Ìý Prostanthera.Ìý Rosmarinus prostrata.Ìý Bacopa.Ìý

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