Brunel's SS Great Britain: Ponds, Wardian Cases and Figs

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

Q – Lawns…to mow or not to mow? What do you advise considering the change in climate? (01’32”)

Q – Where should we start with a sloped garden that is 200ft long? (05’39”)

Q – I've been growing Cannas in pots for several years, but they’re not flowering reliably. What am I doing wrong? (11’32”)

Q – My pond needs some TLC - How could I make it visually pleasing and wildlife friendly? (14’56”)

Matthew Wilson –

Iris pseudacorus, yellow flag iris

Butomus umbellatus, flowering rush

Typha latifolia, bulrush

Q – My two-year-old fig tree in a pot hardly produces any fruit - Should I be feeding it? (19’04”)

Feature – Matthew Wilson meets with head of research James Boyd, and head of interpretation and programming, Iona Keen to learn about the importance of wardian cases to the horticultural industry (22’19”)

Q – Which reasonably fast-growing trees would the panel recommend for colour in the autumn and flowers in the spring? (27’21”)

Matthew Wilson –

Sorbus aucuparia, rowan

Sorbus Autumn Spire ('Flanrock'), mountain ash [Autumn Spire]

Ginkgo Biloba, maidenhair tree

Anne Swithinbank –

Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia', plum-leaved thorn

Malus transitoria, cut-leaf crab apple

Cercidiphyllum japonicum, katsura tree

Chris Beardshaw –

Ilex castaneifolia hort., holly 'Chestnut Leaf'

Tilia tomentosa, silver lime

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto', sweet gum 'Palo Alto'

Nyssa sylvatica, tupelo

Magnolia × soulangeana, saucer magnolia

Q – I have a Brugmansia – Will it survive outside during the winter, or does it need to come inside? (33’50”)

Q – Can you suggest resilient indoor plants that will bring add colour to a room? (36’29”)

Anne Swithinbank –

Cyclamen

Chris Bearshaw –

Evergreen azaleas

Stephanotis

Clivia

Matthew Wilson –

Chillies