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Q – We are trying to fill a 3m x 2m (10ft x 6.5ft) space on the edge of a moist, clay-soil lawn and we’re looking for a suitable shrub to put in it.Ìý We were thinking of Rubus odoratus – do you agree or do you have any better ideas?

Matthew – The Rubus will do ok on clay.Ìý It’s not a spectacular shrub.Ìý I would recommend the Viburnums and my favourite is a burkwoodii hybrid called ‘Park Farm’.Ìý

Chris – I would recommend putting more than one plant in so you get a more interesting view.Ìý I would go with the species roses – for structure I would go for Rosa pteracantha and then up that I would send Clematis alpina or a macropetala, and then something coming up such as Perovskia atriplicifolia (The Russian Sage).Ìý Then, I would go for something animated such as Phalaris feesey.Ìý And then a Geranium macrorrhizum to tickle your ankles as you walk by on the lawn.

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Q – How do I look after my orchid? It produces flowers on a single stem and it has four silver tendrils that are getting incredibly long. How should I care for it?

Anne – This is a Phalaenopsis or ‘Moth Orchid’ – these tendrils are actually its aerial roots. It’s growing as it would in a moist environment. I would get some folia feed in a misting spray and it’ll be perfectly happy.

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Q – What screening could the panel suggest for screening from noise?

Anne – You need Phyllostachys aureosulcata spectabilis – which is a type of bamboo.Ìý It needs about five to six years but will reach 12-15ft (3.5m x 4.5m) and provide nice thick canes.Ìý It doesn’t travel too much which is good and you can thin them out and use the canes for things such as tomatoes and beans.

Matthew – The difficulty is you’ve got to plant a real depth of plants – perhaps even a kilometre (0.6miles) – in order to have an impact so hi-tech acoustic barriers are going to be more effective.Ìý

Chris – The closer to the source that you can put the barrier, the more effective that barrier will be.Ìý Evergreens are better than deciduous plants.Ìý

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Q – What are the top poisonous plants that a school should avoid?

Matthew – To an extent most plants are poisonous.Ìý However, really avoid things such as Euphorbia because of the sap. Phytolacca also has berries that will make you ill.Ìý And ‘Monkshood’ is very toxic too.

Chris – I would include the Aconites and also Clematis, Ranunclus, Delphiniums, Taxus, Laburnum if you’re looking to exclude toxic plants.

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Q – I planted some winter pansies that were in full bloom before completely wilting.Ìý At the base it looked like they had been eaten off.Ìý We replaced them and the soil/compost in the window box but it’s happened again.Ìý Why?

Anne – I find in wet winters pansies are hard to keep healthy so they could have just rotted.Ìý If not, it’s more likely to be slugs and snails.Ìý They hide in the day and like to return to the same spots.Ìý

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Q – Our leeks failed last year for the first time – when pulled they were slimy inside and each contained a red/brown bug.Ìý What went wrong?

Anne – Almost certainly Leek Moth.Ìý You might have to cover your leeks, which would be a nuisance.Ìý

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Q – My question concerns the Carrot Root Fly – how can I combat it please? I put a cage up so how are they getting in? Or are they already in the soil?

Matthew – Anywhere the wind can get the flies can get … they might be getting in when you open the cage.Ìý I would also try intercropping with other species – things like Alliums would be good – to vary/disguise the smell of your delicious carrots!