Gardeners' question time with Brian Kidd

Our gardening expert solves your problems.
The flowers of lonicera pericylmenum Belgica also known as Late Dutch Honeysuckle or Dutch Woodbine.The flowers of lonicera pericylmenum Belgica also known as Late Dutch Honeysuckle or Dutch Woodbine.
The flowers of lonicera pericylmenum Belgica also known as Late Dutch Honeysuckle or Dutch Woodbine.

Q: My mum has a magnificent honeysuckle and would like to know its name. (Sample in dry newspaper arrived in excellent condition.) PH, Denvilles.

A: This is the best honeysuckle and has an easy-to-remember name. It is Late Dutch which, if planted in well-prepared soil, will last more 50 years. No other variety is more perfumed.

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Q: I saw a programme about the use of peat and how this affects the environment. I don’t use peat now but can I make a substitute from garden waste? I have a big tree which may help. Leaf specimen of beech tree enclosed. VM, Cowplain.

A: Put the beech leaves in large compost bags in four-inch layers followed by a leaf mould activator. Once the bag is full put it out of the way with a weight on top. In a year you will have a four-inch layer of leaf mould in the base. This is better than peat .

Q: I would like to let readers know that I dilute the blood from meat and put it on the ground where my clematis Nelly Moser grows. I adore this plant and I think the blood is doing the trick. KF, Waterlooville

A: I agree and am pleased to pass this tip on.

Got a question for Brian? Click here and fire away.