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Q – Could the panel give suggestions for flowering or variegated plants for a situation under an overhanging tree?

Matthew – You can’t fail with Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ – will tolerate shade and is very versatile.Ìý Also try some of the Pulmonarias.Ìý ‘Blue Ensign’ and ‘Mawson’s Blue’ are good varieties.

Eric – Variegated Ground Elder mixed in with Lily of the Valley

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Q – This year my single hybrid Clematis produced double flowers as big as saucers – why?

Anne – There is one called ‘Daniel Deronda’ which will flower with a single flower first and then flower with a double later.Ìý It mostly happens with a ‘group 2’ – so they’ll begin flowering in May/June and then they’ll flower again later on in the year.Ìý

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Q – I like to have bonfires in the garden.Ìý As a result I have a large pile of ash – how best can I use it in the garden?

Bunny – If you want the potassium put it in a box in a dry place and then administer it straight to things that you want to fruit and flower in the spring/summer.Ìý I put it round fruit trees.Ìý On brassicas, on veg, cabbages etc

Eric – The gooseberry bush really appreciates ash

Matthew – Bob reckons that ash gets better with age – so bag it up for 3-4 years if possible.Ìý Add it to compost too – really sweetens the compost.Ìý

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Q – Could you please recommend vegetable combinations for inter-cropping or is it better to use strict seasonal rotations?

Anne – I tend to intercrop where I’m using brassicas because you tend to put them in with such wide spacing – so if I’m doing kales, Brussel sprouts, cabbages I will put lettuces or sometimes parsley in the middle of them.

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Q – What does the panel think are the most important plants/trees to aid wildlife, bees, and insects?Ìý

Bunny – Oak tree – you could coppice it to keep it at a manageable size.Ìý Borage and bees go hand in hand.Ìý

Anne – Crabapple – full of insects when in flower and are very good pollinators – the ‘Golden Hornet’ variety

Euonymous japonicus – big evergreen Euonymous

Verbena bonariensis – wiry, with beautiful purple flowers

Matthew – Small-leaved Lime – versatile tree with flowers that are bee magnets

Eric – Ivy – late source of nectar – Gold Heart variety is very popular

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Q – What are the main ingredients needed to interest garden visitors?

Anne – have several set pieces – when I last opened my garden I had some Betula Jacquemontii and Brodiaeas/Triteleias and Ophiopogons.Ìý Also the Prunus Serrula, ‘Venus’ Navalwort’. Inject your garden with pieces for people to talk about.

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Q – If the panel members had room for just one more tree in their garden, what would it be?

Anne – Mulberry Tree

Bunny – Iranian Medlar

Matthew – Weeping Willow

Eric - Elm