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GQT at Ö÷²¥´óÐã: Witch-hazel and Walnut Trees

Kathy Clugston hosts the horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts.

Kathy Clugston hosts the horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts. Anne Swithinbank, Bob Flowerdew and James Wong answer questions concerning gardening rituals, peculiarly flowering lilacs, and sprucing up a rental garden.

Away from the questions, Jacquie Felix-Mitchell gives her top tips for moving to a new house and garden, and Kirsty Wilson celebrates witch-hazel's brightening power in these cold winter months.

Producer - Hannah Newton
Assistant Producer - Rosie Merotra

A Somethin' Else production for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Plant List

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

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Q – What could I sow, plant, propagate, or do in the next three months to help me look forward and on to better times?

(1 minute 28 seconds)

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Anne – Gaillardia ‘Goblin’ (Blanket Flower)

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Bob –

New potatoes ‘Rocket’

Strawberries

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James –

Chilli

Seeds

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Q – I’ve been growing Tigridia pavonia. The only downside is that they’re over after a few hours. Is there anything I can do to make them last a more reasonable length of time next year?

(4 minutes 55 seconds)

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Anne – Ixia (Corn Lily)

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James – Allium Ìý

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Q – Both my Lilac trees are flowering in spite of their leaves having fallen. At the tip of each branch or twig are small rounds of purple or white flowers – what is happening?

(8 minutes 54 seconds)

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Bob – Vulgaris

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Q – My boyfriend and I have just moved into a new home with a small private garden. The garden’s floor is in dour condition. It’s largely concrete with cracks, holes and large sections missing. We’d like to improve the floor but are renting so don’t want to spend too much money. What would you suggest?

(10 minutes 24 seconds)

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James – Camomile

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Feature – Tips for moving to a new home and garden with Jacquie Felix-Mitchell

(13 minutes, 2 seconds)

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Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo)

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Q - I’ve bought a Monstera – why have the majority of its leaves not got the distinctive holey pattern? Have I bought a plant that is in fact not a Monstera deliciosa, and how can I encourage the holey nature?

(17 minutes, 2 seconds)

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Q – I have a Venus Flytrap that has begun to die again, with all its new sprouts turning black. Is this just a natural part of its lifestyle, or is there something I can do?

(20 minutes, 52 seconds)

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James –

Nepenthes

Sarracenia

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Q – Have you ever seen a walnut tree in happy company, or will you nourish the idea of the walnut tree being a grumpy loner?

(25 minutes, 1 second)

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Q – I have a large walnut tree in my garden, and I’d like to know what flowers I can grow near it.

(25 minutes, 46 seconds)

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Bob –

Grape vine

Fig

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Feature – Kirsty Wilson on brightening the winter garden

(25 minutes, 33 seconds)

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Hamamelis (witch-hazel)

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Q – I get very confused about when to use vermiculite, perlite, potting grit or sharp sand in my compost mix.

(33 minutes, 19 seconds)

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Anne –

Cacti

Succulents

Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose)

African violets

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Q – What are the panellist’s favourite gardening clothes and rituals of getting ready to garden?

(37 minutes, 52 seconds)

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