Hello everyone

Hope you are all well and have been able to get out into the garden recently!

Anyway, I've found a few more help tips that I thought you might be interested in, so here you go……

Question - Kiwi Fruit.  Can You Recommend One For My Garden?

Answer - One of the most reliable kiwi fruits (Chinese Gooseberry) is a self-fertile variety called "Jenny".  It is a vigorous deciduous climber and has creamy-white flowers in the summer, as well as decorative leaves and sweet tasting green brown walnut sized fruits in the early fall (autumn).  It should be trained against a sunny, south-west facing wall sheltered from strong winds using horizontal wires (15ft in length) to support the stems.  During the growing season, keep the ground moist  in dry weather and remove all weeds.  In cold gardens , this plant can be raised inside a greenhouse.  Use a large container filled with No.3 compost.

Question - Is there a miniature Gunnera I can use as "gunnera manicata" is far too big for my bog garden?

Answer - Gunnera manicata is an enormous, moisture loving perennial with architectural, rhubarb like leaves that can be up to 5ft across and chunky cone shaped flowers spikes in he summer.  Fortunately, there is a much smaller species called "G mgellanica".  This perennial has a low, creeping habit and produces a display of dark, kidney shaped leaves, as well as panicles of small green flowers followed by orange-red fruits.  It reaches a height of about 6in with a 12in spread.  For the best results, position the plant in a semi-shaded area and a damp, fertile soil and a bog garden is ideal.

Bye for now!

The Gardener