Ask Gerry

On 5th Nov I planted 25 bare-root laurels where lawn meets the path in front of the house. (replacing frost damaged escallonia). Approx 20 inches apart. I used a mixture of compost and the soil which is poor enough. Mixed in a handful of ckicken manure per plant. The leaves are going yellow on about 33% of them already. The soil has gravel under it so I doubt its waterlogged. I put each plant well into the ground, maybe too much, I dont know. I made a little mound to keep off water logging and everything looks alright, except about 7/8 plants look like there wont make it. Demoralising as I am an amatuer. Considering building a wall if the hedge doesn't come on.

My soil is clay and I planted a Hornbeam hedge last February. I didn't cut it back when I planted it and it is very bare at the bottom. Could I cut it back at this time of year to encourage it to sprout at the bottom in the spring? Also I'm going to plant another little Hornbeam hedge soon but was thinking of inter planting holly, would this work as a hedge?

I have just planted two Cotoneaster hybrid Pendula trees, with the high winds at the moment I need to support them, can you suggest a good support please, was thinking of an upright timber support with a rubber type hold between it and the tree, I need to make sure I do not damage the tree, is there a particular material that should be used when attaching to supports.

I saw something I've never seen before this week .. daffodils in full bloom! Is this usual?

Back in May or June my two young dogs managed to strip the bark completely from the trunk of my dwarf weeping willow. The tree is about 10 years old and continues to survive. There are fine healthy buds on the branches at the moment and it kooks fine despite the fact that the trunk is bare. Ia there anything that I can paint onto the trunk that may save it or is it likely to die,sooner or later.

I am looking for a mahonia whose leaves turn orange I think it's called "orange flame" where can I buy it or is this the best mahonia for coloured leaves?

I have a problem with greenfly in my greenhouse. I have tried several sprays both organic and commercial chemicals but to no avail. I was hoping to get some advice on doing something over the winter-the only problem is that the greenhouse is never empty. There are winter lettuces and some permanent residents like lemon and orange trees.

Can I cut back lavender plants now? I want to move them to a new bed, and can i cut back aqualeigas? as they are huge this is their first year down and can i move them also? my climbing hydrangeas are in full bud will i bring them in to the shed for winter they are in large pots? whats the best way to store dahlias and gladi i have just taken up .

Can I move a magnolia now, any advice re same ?

Is this a good time to move a camellia ? Any advice re same?

My escallonia hedge badly damaged last winter I cut it back hard late spring. and removed lots of dead wood .It grew back during summer thou many leaves seemed to have disease - yellow and black spots.By September foliage was quite good but now following recent rains and winds most of foliage has been shed with very few leaves left so it is now worse than it was last March. Is it too much to hope that it will recover to its previous condition ?

My friends lawn was badly damaged yesterday by a tractor driving over it. The ground is very soft and It has left several deep ridges and mucked up areas where the tyres appear to have spun. What if anything can be done to salvage this?

When is the best time for pruning back 'very old' apple trees?

I bought a potted weeping cherry tree in a garden centre and when i was putting it into the car i accidently ripped off one of the branches. its left some damage to the bark of the tree. will the tree be ok and is there anything i should do?