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University of Reading

Should I replace my drought damaged slow growing conifers? What evergreen hardy plants can I have in my tropical themed garden? Peter Gibbs and a panel of experts have the answers.

What suggestions do the panel have to attract new gardeners to our community allotment? Should I replace my drought damaged slow growing conifers? What evergreen hardy plants for some winter interest can I have in my tropical themed garden?

Peter Gibbs and his team of scholastic horticultural experts are at the University of Reading for this week's episode of Gardeners' Question Time.

Joining Peter answer the audience's gardening conundrums are passionate plantsman Matthew Biggs, garden designer Juliet Sargeant, and self proclaimed botany geek James Wong.

Peter Gibbs speaks with Professor Sarah Dance about Reading University’s study into meteorology and their on-going research into predicting weather forecasts weeks in advance.

Producer: Dominic Tyerman

Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 12 May 2024 14:00

Plant List

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

Q – What tips would the panel give to a novice gardener who’s new to gardening? (0’54)

Q – Should I replace my drought damaged, slow growing conifers? or does it still have a chance of survival? (4’13)

Matthew Biggs –

GenistaÌýaetnensis, mount etna broom

Q – What suggestions do the panel have to attract new gardeners to our community allotment? (07’41)

Juliet Sargeant –

Squash

Q – Could the panel suggest evergreen hardy plants for some winter interest, that I can have in my tropical themed garden? (11’03)

James Wong –

ScheffleraÌýtaiwaniana, taiwanese schefflera

Matthew Biggs –

Cordyline australis, cabbage tree

Julia Sargeant –

FatsiaÌýjaponica, japanese aralia

FatsiaÌýpolycarpaÌýGreen Fingers, aralia [Green Fingers]

FatsiaÌýjaponica 'Tsumugi-shibori' (v), japanese aralia 'tsumugi-shibori'

EuphorbiaÌýmellifera, canary spurge

LibertiaÌýgrandifloraÌý(R. Br.) Sweet, new zealand satin flower

Feature – Peter Gibbs speaks to Professor Sarah Dance about Reading University’s study into meteorology (15’38)

Q – Are there any perennials that can be grown from seed and are easy to find? (21’35)

Matthew Biggs –

Lupins

Poppies

Juliet Sargeant –

Ornamental Grasses

AnemantheleÌýlessoniana, pheasant's tail grass

StipaÌýtenuissima, mexican feather grass

Panicums

James Wong –

LobeliaÌýtupa, devil's tobacco

Q – Which small flowering cherry tree would be good to plant on our boundary? (25’19)

Juliet SargeantÌý–

PrunusÌý'Kursar', cherry 'Kursar'

Matthew Biggs –

PrunusÌýincisaÌý'Lotte', cherry 'Lotte'

PrunusÌý'Amanogawa', cherry 'Amanogawa'

PrunusÌý'Tai-haku', great white cherry

James Wong –

PrunusÌý'Kanzan' (D), cherry 'Kanzan'

PrunusÌý'Ukon', cherry 'Ukon'

Q – Any tips on Growing fruit and vegÌýduring hot and dry summers? (30’17)

Q – What three interesting houseplants would the panel suggest for my undergraduate students to take care of? (35’39)

James Wong –

Dionaea muscipula, venus fly trap

Nymphaea, waterlily

NymphaeaÌý×Ìýhelvola, waterlily 'pygmaea helvola'

Juliet Sargeant –

Chlorophytum, spider plant

Cymbidium orchids

Matthew Biggs –

SansevieriaÌýtrifasciataÌý'Moonshine', mother-in-law's tongue 'Moonshine'

Echeveria

LithopsÌýaucampiae, aucamp's living stone

Broadcasts

  • Fri 10 May 2024 15:00
  • Sun 12 May 2024 14:00

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