Haven't found an answer? Submit your question now.
Over the years, Gerry has answered more than 5,000 of your gardening questions. His knowledge is based in science and practical experience, and by working on radio and television.
To Ask Gerry a question please search the database to make sure it hasn't been asked before and then enter your question. It's a free service open to all Garden.ie club members!
Is it too late to cut back Potentillas now?
I've just planted 200 bare root hornbeams. The plants seem tall (100-120) compared to the size of their small rootball. Should I prune them now to give them a better chance of survival? If yes by how much (33%, 50%)?
I have a magnificant specimen of Vibernum plicatum Mariesii which I have had for about 20 years and never pruned. It's now well exceeding its alloted space and more. What can I do to renovate it?
I have a number of native trees in my garden which are about 10 years old. Some are getting a little large and I want to remove them before it becomes a specialist job. Do I need to dig out the stumps when I have cut the trees down? Also if I leave the smaller branches from the felled trees to rot away among the remaining trees will this spread disease? The trees are beech, oak and scots pine.
I live in Sligo - I had a tree surgeon lined up to prune some trees in November after leaf fall - but then of course we had very cold weather so it has not yet been done. The trees are 22 years old - Birch Jacqmonteii, Beech and a Rowan. I'm wondering how long it takes the cuts to "heal".... how long a window do I have after pruning before I can afford to get frost? I am keen to get it done before sap starts to rise so don't want to leave it too late in the winter to get it done.
My clematis flowered purple late in the summer, beautiful. It grew upwards and only spread out one side. I trained it up a trellis. Its died off now, brown. I am afraid to cut it back incase it dosnt grow as much next year. if you keep cutting them back each year, where do you cut them back to?Also does it grow faster each year the older it gets?
What is the best time of the year to cut copper beech hedging without damaging it? I want to thicken the hedge as it is a boundary hedge.
We have a beautiful Staghorn tree in a corner of our garden which is close to a public footpath. It appears to be very happy there. However, the tree is 4 yrs old now and has grown quite a bit, and is growing some low branches which are jutting out in the way of pedestrians using the footpath. Can we prune this without any risk to the wellbeing of the tree and if so, when is the best time to do it? Also is it something we can do ourselves or should we get a professional?
I have some heathers which have overgrown their flower bed. Can I cut them back and, if so, when should this be done?
When is the best time to cut back hydrangeas, i have done so before with a powered hedge cutter and as a result lost some flowers, but i really want to keep my area neat and not to have a hydrangea over populate a space. so, how can i cut it back and when?
I sowed a eucalyptus tree in a border this year. I wondered if i can cut it back to shrub size as someone told me they grow very big and i do not want this to happen as the border is just outside my sitting room window.
We cut off a few branches of a silver birch which was getting too bushy and preventing light entering our dining room and the bedroom upstairs. Should the cuts (up to 8 cm diameter) be sealed with something?
I planted a hydrangea last year. It gets a mix of sun and shade. It is growing well but while there are lots of flower buds I only get sporadic white flowers appearing.The buds look pinkish. I have never pruned it and the soil was fertilized before planting. Any ideas.
My eucalyptus tree has 2 trunks as such, the main trunk is about 2-3 inchs thick but the second is about an inch, Can i cut this second one off? The lady in the garden centre said this "arm" was supporting the main trunk. Its in the ground a year now and is doing brilliantly, a lot of growth this year. My mother did not cut her one off when she planted hers 20years ago but it is massive and she had the room for it.I want to be able to sit/walk under mine, can i trim these lower branches?
I have a variegated poplar tree ( beautiful tree ) It is about 5yrs old. I would like to remove some of the the lower branches as it is resting on the lawn, plus I think it would look nicer with a bit of a trunk. Is it safe to do this and what time of year is best, Spring or Autumn?
Haven't found an answer? Submit your question now.
Simply enter your email address to receive our free weekly email newsletter!
Uploaded
Failed
|