Talkback: The winged spindle

I planted a spindle tree two years ago and sadly, it has failed to thrive. it produces a few leaves every spring but no flowers and so obviously no colourful seeds or pods. I love them too and it has been a real disappointment. perhaps it needs a prune? when would be the best time to prune it and how hard should I go? sherrie x

Hi, Can anyone tell me if cold stratification is needed for annual seeds to help then germinate earlier, thanks.........

you have just reminded me of when i used to go walking in some woodland near here and was mezmerised by the spindle trees i saw there, i walked past them and touched them every time i passed that way, daily in facvt when taking the dog for a walk, i saved some of the seeds and tried in vain to propagate them this spring, maybe the seeds were too old, i maust go there this weekend to see them again and perhaps collect some fresh seed, only a few. would they be best put in soil at this time of year to over winter?

I have just been given a Euonymus alatus by my mum, which I hope to plant out this weekend, after oohing over the pictures of E. a. 'Compactus' in several magazines this month. Turned out she hunted one down a couple of years ago which has sulked in a pot since with nowhere to go. We are happy to give it a home, and she is happy to admire it here!

Please help! I am a new gardener and not sure if it is too late to prune shrubs and over grown trees!? two wks ago some shrubs were still showing signs of new buds and the garden is still very green! can anyone help.

I have just planted a Euonymous europaeus which looks wonderful at the moment. However, I would like opinions on the twisted willow I planted earlier in the year. I have put it near our seating area; its purpose, apart from being lovely, is to provide us with privacy from the upstairs windows of our neighbour. It is only about 2 feet from our garden wall and I'm concerned now that the roots may damage it as it gets established. Help please!

what is the best time to transplant Striletchias? can anyone answer. I live in the Eastern Cape

I bought my Euonymus alatus and it is a glorious big shrub now but the birds brought me a Euonymus europaeus, now five feet tall and covered in its pink berries opening to reveal the bright orange berries. Even the four part shape of the berries make you go for a closer look and the colour scheme is definitely Fauvist. My second favourite seedheads are on certain peonies - bright red berries in pods with three or four divisions which turn a shiny black at different rates so you get a mixture of red and black berries nestling in the pods. Sherrie, have patience. Your tree is young yet. If it was seven or so I would be more worried. Is it small enough to move? It likes a south or west facing aspect with protection behind in my garden. Why not prune it by a third and move it when all the leaves have fallen?