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Aptly named blackspot is a fungus that causes dark spotting on rose leaves and stems. Eventually, leaves turn yellow and drop off before autumn. Spores overwinter on the fallen leaves and re-infect the plant in spring when new foliage appears

in my garden are already under attack. Mullein moth caterpillars can grow to up to 5cm in length. They're greyish in colour with distinct black and yellow markings. You'll often find them on plants in large numbers, but even a few can do a lot

see them most summers - I was devastated one year when we saw none, but the following year they were back.We go on regular family outings to a nearby plant-covered mound of soil, which seems to be a five-star glow-worm night spot. The thrill of seeing

to flower.My hellebores are out now too, and most are looking good. Unfortunately some are showing signs of hellebore leaf spot disease. The characteristic purple-black blotches are spreading from the foliage to some of the flowers. The best I can do is pick

stubs, but she is still quite unable to fly. Instead, she emerges from her cocoon and gives off a pheromone scent to attract the night-flying males. These rather unassuming moths are mottled brown with a small white spot on each forewing. She mates

is not that smelly, but the fly may have been following the gentle scent of cavy urine and faecal pellets. Or it may be that the fly was attracted to the warmest sunniest spot in the garden, just outside the back door, against the sheltered south-facing wall where

's not essential. By getting the tubers into the ground a little earlier you should be able to enjoy a delicious crop of first-earlies a few weeks before other crops are ready to harvest. Choose a sunny spot in your garden and warm the soil for a few days

the mainland European form, orange spotted rather than the yellow speckled ones we get in Britain, and was that a swallowtail fluttering down the road?Each afternoon, as we sat in the garden of the gite, we were visited by hummingbird hawkmoths

well watered. A fairly sheltered spot in full or part sun will suit them best. It's a good idea to make several sowings at two or three week intervals, to increase the potential harvesting period.Sugar snap pea seedsGood quality seed compostSmall pots

Like tomatoes, aubergines are members of the solanum, or potato family. Aubergines must be sown early (February to March) and kept in a warm, sheltered spot to ensure a good crop. Although they can be grown outside in milder areas of the country