Gone to Pot, Hybrid T roses & The Condiment to Clean your Patio!

Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Ask Lynne’ for the Western Mail. 19^th March 2016

We have a big house party at the end of the month and I would like to have some colourful plants in pots by the front door to brighten it all up. What do you suggest for this time of year?

Most garden centres still have spring flowering bulbs in pots for those who didn’t get around to planting them last year, and they make fantastic instant colourful displays for the type of scenario you describe. You can even just sink the whole pots of bulbs into the compost in a large pot or container and then plant the bulbs in the borders once they have finished flowering. Depending on the size of the pot you use, you could add any suitably sized evergreen to add texture and interest. Have a look what your garden centre has and make your choice there – it is far easier than trying to get specific plants.

You may find that they have suitable ‘statement’ plants that you could put in a pot, like a half-standard Photinia and then under-plant with bulbs. It really depends how big your pot is and your wallet!

You could even use miniature bulbs, like Tete-a-Tete daffodils and small evergreen herbs, like thyme to make up a couple of hanging baskets too.

Is it too late to prune Hybrid T roses? I have a large rose bed of them but I am not very well and not got around to it yet. Are there any short cut (pardon the pun) methods I could use?

Now is the perfect time to prune them, although do avoid pruning if a frost is forecast. The only short-cut I have heard of is where Wisely did trials to see how Hybrid T’s would cope if pruned with a hedge cutter years ago! Apparently they went on to flower well but I have never been convinced by that method myself and would only recommend the traditional way of removing all dead and diseased wood and pruning back to an outward facing bud with a sloping cut. Take your time and it might prove therapeutic. Wishing you a quick recovery.

I like to use organic products when ever possible and especially good old-fashioned methods – so is there anything like that for cleaning patio stones?

Although I have never tried it, white vinegar is apparently very good for cleaning the algae from patios and paths. You can use it neat and a spray bottle makes it easier to use, but be aware that it will also kill grass and other plants. That can be beneficial if you have weeds between the slabs (it can also be used as a weed-killer) but do take care with anything you don’t want to lose!