Gardeners' Question Time Tyne Valley
6 snips
Feb 13, 2026 
Matthew Wilson, garden designer offering planting and hedge tips; Bethan Collerton, head gardener with propagation know-how; Dr Chris Thorogood, botanical scientist on plant health. They tackle care for a 30-year-old aspidistra and yellowing Choisya. They discuss plants for exposed northern gardens and surprising exotics doing well up north. They cover grow lights, Japanese knotweed control and reviving thin beech hedges.
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Keep Aspidistra Roots Evenly Moist
- Water Aspidistra regularly and avoid all-or-nothing watering patterns.
- Chris Thorogood and Matthew Wilson recommend slightly warm water, more in summer, less in winter, and steady moisture to prevent root-related leaf browning.
Feed Then Test Soil For Yellowing Choisya
- Feed a yellowing Choisya first but investigate soil health if multiple nearby plants are affected.
- Bethan Collerton noted sad, soft leaves and suggested possible fungal or viral soil issues and recommended expert inspection if feeding fails.
Plants For Exposed North Facing Winter Colour
- For a north-facing, exposed garden use stem-colour plants, hardy grasses and evergreen structure for winter interest.
- Matthew Wilson recommended Cornus (dogwoods), Miscanthus, paperbark birches/maples, plus hellebores and Bethan suggested ericas and Beaujardinias for groundcover.