Gardening: Your problems solved, by Brian Kidd (July 5)

Q: I bought two rusty containers at a car boot sale. They look like witches cauldrons. I have spent ages cleaning them up and have now painted them flat black. They look great. I intend putting them between three troughs which are filled with begonias. I would like a gold, large-leafed evergreen in each. What would you suggest please? BC, Cosham.

A: Go to your garden centre and have a look at the aucuba shrubs. If you go at this time of year you will find one which has beautiful golden leaves. Choose just one variety and put one in each container.

Q: I love hollyhocks but as usual rust disease is starting on the lowest leaves. HD, Rowlands Castle.

A: Remove the infected leaves and put them in a bucket. This will stop the spores spreading. During the evening, after removing diseased leaves spray with Systhane, concentrating on the undersides of the leaves.

Q: I bought some lupins which were in bloom. They still look nice but will they come up again next year? AL, Havant.

A: Yes, they are hardy perennials. Once the flowers fade, cut off the dying flower stems and you will enjoy the foliage. Pop in a few cosmea plants. You will find these at your garden centre, they will be in flower and if you keep taking off the dead flowers will last all summer.

Q: I can still buy varieties of seed potatoes my father grew during the war, but have been unable to locate seeds of the best runner beans I have ever grown – White Achievement – for many years. New varieties have been introduced, but none compares. Have you got a secret source, and if not, which variety do you recommend? Cyril Saunders, Drayton, Portsmouth.

A: I agree with you. White Achievement is the best I have ever grown as it pollinates well in all weathers and has a good taste. You can get the seeds from Tozer Seeds at Pyports, Downside Bridge Road Cobham Surrey KT11 3EH. I hope they still have some in stock; there is still time to sow the seeds now until mid-July.

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