Shepton Mallet: Garlic Rust, Mushroom Compost and Plant Renaissance

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

Q – Any tips on growing iris? (03’40”)

Anne Swithinbank –

Iris × hollandica, dutch iris

Q – What the best way to spread mushroom compost in my garden? Which crops like and dislike it? (07’14”)

Anne Swithinbank –

Brassicas

Rhododendrons

Pieris

blueberries

Q – How do I revive the grass around my large Acers on my lawn? (10’13”)

Q – Is it possible to divide a bird of paradise? And if so, how and when? (14’02”)

Feature – Matthew Wilson meets with ‘Britain in Bloom’ Champions Steve Brook and Barry Cruz to hear their tips and tricks on how to snag the title of champion. (18’29)

Q – Are hellebores easy to grow? (23’18”)

Matthew Wilson –

Helleborus foetidus, stinking hellebores

Q – How do I combat garlic rust during the winter months? (30’11”)

Q – What varieties of salad leaves should we grow around our café that will regularly grow back? (34’00”)

Pippa Greenwood –

Lactuca sativa, Common Lettuce

Anne Swithinbank –

Tom Thumb lettuce

Spinach

Q – Could a strawberry tree survive on a sandy soil and endure Scottish weather? (33’39”)

Q – what plants would the panel like to see make a renaissance? (37’16”)

Anne Swithinbank –

Aphelandra squarrosa, zebra plant

Pippa Greenwood –

Peonies

Matthew Wilson –

Dwarf conifers 

Junipers

Pinus mugo, dwarf mountain pine

Heathers