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Q. My garden has been taken over by Lords and Ladies. How can I control them?

A. Bob- Instead of trying to get rid of them, try incorporating them into your planting scheme. Ferns are a good accompaniment.

Christine – It seeds itself very easily. You will need regular applications of a translocated weed killer. It will need several applications and can take up to four years.

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Q. How can I transplant a well established, flowering Hellebore?

A. Christine – Take out a trench around the plant and fill it with compost. Allow a fibrous root system to develop and move it next year.

Chris – Also trying potting on some seedlings as a backup. However, Hellebores do not come true from seed.

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Q.Ìý I have no-dig raised beds on my allotment. When planting chitted potatoes, should I dig a trench or plant them into single holes?

A. Bob – I have experimented with both. If you plant into a trench you might get a larger crop but they are harder to find. Planting in single holes is much easier. You can plant them on the surface and cover them with compost. This doesn’t work if you have a slug problem. You can grow them in black plastic bags and turn them out at the end of the season.

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Q. I have grown Lemon trees from seed. How long will they take to flower?

A. Christine – It is very hard to predict when they will flower. Regularly water and feed the tree. Taking it outside during the summer months will encourage ripening growth.

Bob - Lemons from seed often produce multiple plants. One is a true seedling and the other is a clone of the parent. The clone grows more slowly but will probably flower sooner.

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Q. Can the panel recommend some exotic plants suitable for pots?

A. Christine: I would try the Pseudopanax. As a juvenile plant it is quite bare but the adult plants are much more interesting with larger leaves that shine in the light. You could also use Acanthus Archers Gold with its golden foliage in the spring and aubergine, spikey flowers.

Bob: Cordylines have a palm-like effect. Try bright orange Crocosmia Lucifer, the purple-leaved Phormium or Aubretia. Kniphofias have smaller varieties and very bright flowers. Mirabilis jalapa is a wonderful plant with a lovely scent.

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