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Simple rules for growing hostas
C
ATCHING up on my reading on a wet, soggy day here in Sheffield. I really enjoyed Anne Swithinbank’s article on hostas (AG, 23 November). I have a solution to the slug and snail problem. Having been given some rooted pieces from an old gardener chap many years ago, I planted them in two builder’stype black buckets, making drainage holes in the bottom beforehand. I put one on top of a black, cast-iron pot stand and the other hanging from a strong tree branch. Both have come up every year and flowered well without being attacked by slugs or snails. I lift them down every few years, and split and give the spares to others. I think the answer is ‘hang them high’, but still be able to see them properly. Maureen Gillian Carr, via email
Star letter
Maureen Gillian’s hostas thrive in raised buckets and pots
Where can I buy these plants? WOULD you tell me where I can obtain the shrubs recently mentioned, referring to two articles: hollies by Toby Buckland (21/28 Dec) and plants to create shelter in Ask Anne (4 Jan)? My interest has been aroused, because we are starting to construct a car park at my church and we need to plant trees/shrubs around the site, acting as a barrier and wind-break. We also need a few trees on the north boundary of our graveyard. Holly, in particular, would prove useful for our flower arrangers at the appropriate time of the year. I have been reading your magazine for a number of years, but this the first time I have written in – a bit late
Where to buy
in starting, as I’m in my nineties! Ken Journeaux, Hampshire Wendy says: Certainly, Ken. I am happy to help. The list below is a reminder of the plant names and where to buy them. A good reference for finding suppliers of plants, both locally and by mail order, is to look up the free online ‘Find a Plant’ service: rhs.org.uk/plants/search-form, also available to buy as a book £14.99. Highclere hollies: Ilex x altaclerensis I. x a. ‘Ripley Gold’ I. x a. ‘Golden King’ Ilex ‘JC van Tol’ Plants to provide shelter: Acer campestre Arbutus unedo I. x a. ‘Camelliifolia’ Pittosporum tenuifolium Elaeagnus x ebbingei Olearia macrodonta Escallonia rubra var. macrant Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ Viburnums, such as V. lantana. Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Ripley Gold’
Burncoose Nurseries burncoose.co.uk 01209 860316 Bluebell Arboretum & Nursery Bluebell Nursery.com 01530 413700 Ashwood Nurseries ashwoodnurseries.com 01384 401996
48 AMATEUR GARDENING 1 FEBRUARY 2020
Stunned by amaryllis beauty
Emma’s amaryllis has surpassed her expectations
HERE is a photo of an amaryllis bulb I planted on 16 November last year, in the hope it would flower for Christmas Day. Indeed it did, but I never expected such a dramatic result from just one bulb. I’ve never grown amaryllis before, so I’m stunned by its beauty. I just hope I can care for it over the year, so that it repeats its performance next December. Emma Taylor, Bridport, Dorset
