Perton Staffs: Used Compost, Angry Peonies and Ant-tics

What's the best way to revive a dying bonsai tree? Do Peonies hate being moved? I am inundated with ants – how do I get rid of them?

Kathy Clugston hosts BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time, joined by a panel of esteemed plant and gardening experts in Perton, Staffordshire. Sharing their horticultural wisdom are the passionate plantsman Matthew Biggs, head gardener Marcus Chilton-Jones, and renowned plantswoman Christine Walkden.

Later in the programme, Matthew Biggs has a chat with David Austen Jr to explore his father’s remarkable legacy in rose breeding at their prestigious nursery. He also gets an exclusive glimpse at some of their latest, most exquisite varieties.

Senior Producer: Daniel Cocker

Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

Plant List

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

Q – What colour would you paint a garden fence to best show off and compliment the plants in it? (01’32”)

Q – Why have my Peonies stopped blooming? Is it because I’ve moved them? (05’03”)

Q –   Which plants would the panel recommend covering a roof of five feet by 10 feet with a depth of two and a half inches? (08’07”)

Matthew Biggs –

Thymus vulgaris, common thyme

Thymus serpyllum 'Russetings', creeping thyme 'Russetings'

Campanula, bellflower

Campanula portenschlagiana, wall bellflower

Christine Walkden

Sempervivum, houseleek

Hylotelephium, sedum

Mentha requienii, corsican mint

Marcus Chilton Jones –

Puschkinia

Allium schoenoprasum, chives

Ajuga repens, bugle

Q – What are the panel's thoughts on reusing compost that's been used in pots for summer annuals? (10’53”)

Feature – Matt Biggs speaks with David Austen Jr about his father’s legacy in breeding unique roses (15’01)

Q – I wondered what was the best way to revive a dying bonsai tree? (19’26”)

Q – How hard should I cut back our Ceanothus? (23’59”)

Q – What can the panel recommend that's low maintenance and won't prickle anyone that I could plant in a two foot wide plot? (28’10”)

Christine Walkden –

Cyclamen hederifolium, ivy-leaved cyclamen

Ajugas

Lamiums

Heucheras

Thalamus

Aquilegia

Veronica, gentian speedwell

Matthew Biggs –

Hedera (ivy)

Marcus Chilton-Jones –

Lonicera, honeysuckle

Dryopteris, wood fern

Nettles

Q – I am inundated with ants – how do I get rid of them? (33’49”)

Q – How do I stop bugs from getting into my plums? (37’25”)