- The Observer,
- Sunday September 10 2006
Q Two years ago, I replaced two overgrown conifers at the top of the rockery with two Sorbus hupehensis. At this spot the garden is sloping downwards. This year, the leaves look scorched and one tree has only two clusters of berries, the other one none. I am desperate to keep my trees. I live in the London area.
Monique
A Monique, Well done for replacing the conifers! The rowans will eventually provide you with much more year-round interest and the birds will love you for it. The soil may well have been impoverished from the conifers, but I think your plants have suffered from drought. A good 6in mulch of compost or manure, not touching the stem, in a 1m diameter circle round the base and lots of water should not only feed the plants but also help to retain the moisture needed to produce berries and stronger growth next year.
Q There is an almost vertical drop at the bottom of my garden which appears to be slipping, in places, since several large hawthorn bushes were reduced in height, exposing the soil to heavy rain. Can you suggest any planting that might, through root systems or leaf cover, hold the bank in place?
Stewart
A You will need to use something evergreen to prevent the soil from being further exposed in the winter and something tenacious and shade tolerant. Try the evergreen Rubus tricolor. It has good shiny leaves, no thorns, it roots as it goes and is happy roughing it - if you look after it when young.
· If you have a gardening question for Dan, email ask.dan@observer.co.uk
