Tyne Valley
Kathy Clugston and the GQT team are in Tyne Valley, Newcastle, tackling questions on troubled Aspidistra, yellowing Choisya and planting for winter colour.
Kathy Clugston and the GQT team are in Tyne Valley, Newcastle.
Kathy's joined by Dr Chris Thorogood, Bethan Collerton and Matthew Wilson, who tackle a variety of questions from troubled Aspidistra, yellowing Choisya and planting for winter colour. The team also discusses beech hedges, how to tackle the issue of invasive Japanese knotweed and unlikely exotics thriving in northern gardens.
Later in the show, Bunny Guinness enlightens us on the benefits and use cases of grow lights within greenhouses.
Producer: Dan Cocker
Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
To view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time and open this week's episode page.
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Plant List
Q1 - Why is my Aspidistra (cast‑iron plant) developing brown leaf tips, and how can I improve its condition? (1’40”)
Dr Chris Thorogood
- Aspidistra elatior, cast‑iron plant
Q2 - Why has my Choisya turned from dark green to yellow? (6’25”)
Bethan Collerton
- Choisya ternata, Mexican orange blossom
- Ilex, holly
Q3 - What hardy plants will give colour in winter in a cold, exposed, north‑facing Northumberland garden? (10’00”)
Matthew Wilson
- Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire', dogwood 'Midwinter Fire'
- Cornus alba 'Kesselringii', dogwood 'Kesselringii'
- Miscanthus spp., miscanthus grasses
- Salix
- Sorbus ulleungensis 'Dodong', Japanese rowan'Dodong'
- Acer griseum, paperbark maple
- Betula nigra, river birch
- Helleborus, hellebore
Dr Chris Thorogood
- Hydrangea aspera, rough‑leaf hydrangea
- Viburnum Ă— bodnantense, Bodnant viburnum
- Ruscus aculeatus, butcher’s broom
- Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum', Italian arum
Bethan Collerton
- Erica carnea, 'Winter Beauty', winter heath
- Bergenia 'Bressingham Ruby', elephant's ears 'Bressingham Ruby'
- Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow', bugleweed
- Cornus spp., dogwoods
Q4 - What edible or useful “weeds” can I grow on my allotment without it becoming overgrown? (16’18”)
Matthew Wilson
- Rubus fruticosus agg., bramble
- Urtica dioica, stinging nettle
- Phaceliatanacetifolia, fiddleneck
- Stellaria media, chickweed
Dr Chris Thorogood
- Rubusidaeus, common raspberry
- Taraxacum officinale, dandelion
- Scorzonera hispanica, scorzonera
- Foeniculum vulgare, fennel
FEATURE - Bunny Guinness enlightens us on the benefits of using grow lights in a greenhouse. (19’50”)
Q5 - What is the best approach to eradicating Japanese knotweed, and can it be dealt with safely? (26’06”)
Q6 – How long will it take until it to become safe to eat produce from an allotment where former tenants used herbicides like paraquat? (29’21”)
Q7 - What's the best way to look after a Beech hedge that's looking a bit thin in places? (33:06)
Q8 - What plants have the panel successfully grown that “shouldn’t” thrive in the climates they grow them in? (35’21”)
Dr Chris Thorogood
- Solidago 'Goldenmosa'., goldenrod
- Eryngium, Sea Holly
Bethan Collerton
- Pelargonium
Matthew Wilson
- Beschorneriayuccoides, yucca-leaved beschorneria
- Dasylirion wheeleri, spoon flower
- Paulownia tomentosa, foxglove tree
- Tetrapanax papyrifer, rice‑paper plant
- Yucca filamentosa, needle palm/ Adam’s needle
Broadcasts
- Friday15:00BBC Radio 4
- Sunday14:00BBC Radio 4
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Podcast
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Gardeners' Question Time
Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts
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