Roy Lancaster
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| Roy is a freelance writer, plant explorer and broadcaster |
Roy Lancaster worked at the University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens and the Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire, England, before becoming the first curator of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum in 1970.
As well as being a regular panelist on BBC Radio 4's Gardener's Question Time, Roy has presented a gardening series on Channel 4 and was awarded the Garden Writers' Guild Presenter of the Year.
He has written many books including the best-selling Dorling Kindersley titles: What Plant Where, What Perennial Where and What Houseplant Where, and he regularly contributes to various magazines, including the RHS journal The Garden.
I have a fence in my garden that doesn’t receive any sun – are there any climbers that could grow there?
There are plenty that work. I would recommend the following: Halliana – a semi-evergreen, free flowering climber whose flowers turn form white to yellow fragrant flowers from summer into autumn; the vigorous Clematis ‘Avalanche’ which blooms white flowers in April and has evergreen ferny leaves; or the Dentata Variegata – a bold evergreen ivy with big creamy-white margined leaves.
I think my houseplant has aphids – what can I do?
Aphids are a common pest of some houseplants, especially on tender young shoots and leaves. If practical, take your houseplant outside on a calm day. Then, spray it with pirimicarb or an environmentally friendly insecticide such as derris, soft soap or pyrethrum, before returning indoors.
What are the best plants to grow on dry sites under trees and shrubs?
Dry soils in shade are hard to cope with especially if the soil is filled with tree roots. If you can find spaces to make holes then plant ground cover perennials such as:
Geranium macrorrhizzum in its several named selections. Low growing, semi persistent aromatic foliage and pink, purple or white flowers in early summer.
Iris foetidissima – a native iris grown for its shiny evergreen clumps of strap shaped leaves. They have small yellowish-purple flowers in summer and superb orange seed heads in winter.
Symphytum ‘Hidcote Pink’ – an excellent herbaceous perennial with leafy stems that can grow to 18 inches, and pendant clusters of pink and white flowers in spring.
My garden is overrun with rabbits – they are eating everything! While I don’t want to stop them being there entirely, are there any plants that they find unpalatable?
Rabbits tend to find the following perennials unpalatable: Agapanthus, Narcissus, Paeonia, Crocus, Nepeta, Sedum, Euphorbia, and Japanese Anemone.
Which houseplants would you recommend for a large room?
Among the more popular houseplants for a large room with average to good light source I would recommend – Parlour palm, Kentia Palm, Kangaroo Vine, India Rubber Plant, Swiss Cheese Plant, House Lime, and Spineless Yucca.
I’m about to move into a cottage by the sea. Their previous owner left the garden neglected and I’d like to plant some new trees. What trees are tolerant of being near the coast?
I would recommend the Rowan, Whitebeam, Bay tree, and Snow Gum. The Cordyline australis works well in southern coastal areas, and the Evergreen Oak will go large eventually.
Whatever I do, I can’t seem to keep my houseplants alive! I travel frequently and perhaps don’t water them as often as I should. What would you say are the most low maintenance houseplants?
Even tough reliable houseplants need some care but those tolerant of reasonable neglect include – Cast iron Plant, the House Lime, the Kangaroo Vine, the Mother-in-laws Tongue, and the Variegatum.
When is the best time to re-seed a lawn?
The best time to re-seed a lawn is in September when the soil is still warm – that way, sown seed will germinate and the new grass will be established before winter.
The next best time is in April but you will need to water young grass regularly should the summer be hot and dry. Be sure to prepare soil thoroughly and provide adequate drainage before sowing and choose the best seed mix to suit your needs.
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