Postbag Edition: Regent's Park, London
When should we prune roses? What plants grow well in rubble and grass? What's infecting my Prunus avium? Peter Gibbs and panel explore Regent's Park while answering the questions.
When should we prune roses? What plants grow well in rubble and grass? What's infecting my Prunus avium?
Peter Gibbs and a team of horticultural experts are led on a guided tour of Regent's Park in London, while dipping into the GQT postbag to answer your gardening conundrums.
Leading the tour is head gardener and fellow GQT panellist Matthew Pottage, who's also joined by pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood and head gardener Ashley Edwards.
Later in the programme, head gardeners Anna Rafal and Anne Tuomisto offer advice on pruning roses and designing a Mediterranean garden, as well as winter tidying with hibernating animals in mind.
Producer: Dominic Tyerman
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
Last on
Plant list
Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.
Q – My moth orchid is reproducing… but what should I do with the new growth? Should I take them off? If so - what will happen to the mother plant? (03’27”)
Q – What is infecting my 11-year-old Prunus Avium? (05’34”)
Q – Should I prune my roses in the autumn and or spring? (12’39”)
Q – Is there anything I can plant in my allotment that has similar properties to nettles and will encourage wildlife? (15’32”)
Ashley Edwards –
Knautia arvensis, field scabious
Daucus carota, wild carrot
Q – We're having our front garden rebuilt, which will feature deck ground retention and plastic grids filled with soil – what should I plant in them? (22’27”)
Matthew Pottage –
Blechnum penna-marina, alpine water fern
Erigeron karvinskianus, Mexican fleabane
Euphorbia myrsinites, broad-leaved glaucous spurge
Ashley Edwards –
Salvia rosmarinus (Ro), rosemary
Lavandula, lavender
Nepeta, catmint
Calamintha, calamint
Anne Tuomisto –
Eschscholzia californica, California poppy
Q – How can I effectively prune my Christmas tree so we stop losing light during the day? (26’18”)
Q – Are there any plants you recommend that would survive growing in rubble and grass? (32’54”)
Matthew Pottage –
Cistus, rock rose
Teucrium
Lavandula, lavender
Salvia rosmarinus (Ro), rosemary
Pippa Greenwood –
Tamarix gallica, common tamarisk
Q - Please can we remind gardeners everywhere to be cautious to not disturb hibernating animals during the winter months? (37’54”)
Broadcasts
- Last Friday 15:00BBC Radio 4
- Sunday 14:00BBC Radio 4
Six of GQT’s naughtiest gardening innuendos
When Gardeners' Question Time got mucky.
Podcast
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Gardeners' Question Time
Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts
