Main content

GQT at Ö÷²¥´óÐã: Luffa and Ligularia

Peter Gibbs hosts the gardening panel show.

Peter Gibbs hosts the gardening panel show. This week he's joined by Matt Biggs, Anne Swithinbank, James Wong and a live virtual audience, to answer questions from listeners about subjects from pomegranate trees to hardy houseplants.

Away from the questions, we get an update from Matthew and Jane Wilson on their cut flower border project, and Claire Ratinon champions organic growing.

Producer - Dan Cocker
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.

Ìý

Q – Can the panel suggest any flowering plants that don’t mind a soggy bottom?

(1 minute 57 seconds)

Ìý

Anne –

Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold)

Iris chrysographes

Lythrum (Loosestrife)

Primula florindae (Cowslip)

Ìý

Matt –

Ligularia

Ìý

Q – I have a grass plant. Unfortunately, something seems to have tried to destroy it. Is it likely to survive if I leave it to its own devices or if I should do something to help it along?

(5 minutes 47 seconds)

Ìý

James –

Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feather grass)

Ìý

Q – Are there any houseplants that can thrive close to a fireplace?

(9 minutes 10 seconds)

Ìý

James –

Cacti

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant)

Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother-in-law’s tongue)

Aspidistra

Ìý

Q – We have some wonderful mature shrubs in the garden which have sadly been neglected, including an enormous Cornus. Can you help us to help this plant?

(12 minutes 49 seconds)

Ìý

Feature – Matthew and Jane Wilson update listeners on their cut flower gardenÌýÌý Ìý

(16 minutes, 31 seconds)

Ìý

Q – Looking forward to our village show, can the panel suggest an unusual vegetable I can grow in my allotment to excite the judges?

(21 minutes 28 seconds)

Ìý

James –

Cyclanthera brachystachya (Achocha) ‘Fat Baby’

Cyclanthera brachystachya ‘Giant Bolivian’

Ìý

Ìý

Matt –

Asparagus Pea

Rat Tail Radish

Radish ‘Munchen Bier’

Agretti

Ìý

Q – I was gifted a pomegranate tree. What position, soil and care do you recommend to make it thrive?

(26 minutes, 54 seconds)

Ìý

Feature – Claire Ratinon on embracing organic growing

(31 minutes, 31 seconds)

Ìý

Q – Am I wasting my time trying to grow Luffa outside, even with our hot summers?

(35 minutes, 22 seconds)

Ìý

Q – What article of clothing would the panellists bury in their gardens in the interests of horticulture?

(37 minutes, 53 seconds)

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Broadcasts

  • Fri 26 Feb 2021 15:00
  • Sun 28 Feb 2021 14:00

Six of GQT’s naughtiest gardening innuendos

When Gardeners' Question Time got mucky.

Podcast