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Shrubs and perennials planted permanently in containers need good quality compost if they are to survive for more than a couple of years. The addition of loam-based compost such as John Innes no.3 will retain a good open structure for plant roots to obtain air as well as moisture...

persimilis on to your plants. Alternatively, use sprays containing, fatty acids or plant oils.houseplants, greenhouse plants, also outdoors on fuchsias, runner beans, busy lizzies, grape vinesall year roundMore common garden pestsMealybugsScale insectsWhiteflyThrips

are dramatically set off when the fibrous tips are backlit by the sun.any time of yearall year round20 minutesPalm, e.g. Dasylirion acrotrichumLarge metal potCrocksFree-draining succulent or cactus compostPut a layer of crocks in the bottom of the container

A branch having the form and functions of a leaf. Often the branch or stem will be flattened, resembling a leaf. Plants that have adapted to very dry conditions are usually phylloclads, eg, members of the cactus family.

and eucomis, under coverCheck all plants for signs of pests and treat immediatelySow sweet peas in potsAvoid moving Christmas cactus during autumn while they're forming flower buds, to prevent damageMove potted peaches and nectarines under cover

Learn how to grow your own supply of tender, succulent peas, in Monty's video guide. Monty recommends a particularly good long-podded variety and shares advice on soil preparation and seed spacing.springMore on growing fruit and vegRead Jane Moore

Move plants from greenhouse to cold frame, to acclimatise to cooler temperatures before planting outDig out new ponds and water featuresClean and sharpen secateurs and garden knivesBuy summer-flowering bulbs now, while the best choice of varieties

immediatelySow sweet peas in pots for early flowers next summerTake cuttings of succulents such as sedumsMove potted peaches and nectarines under coverBring pots of late-flowering chrysanthemums into the greenhouseStop watering pots of achimenes, gloxinia

Bring aeoniums and other tender succulents under cover for winter Empty begonia tubers from pots, clean off the compost and store somewhere dark and dryWater plants more sparingly now conditions are getting coolerWash off all shade paint and remove

could be environmental, such as the weather, or a pest attack that causes physical damage to the plant. Some fasciated plants are actually quite attractive and have led to varieties known as cristates. These include forms of ferns, cacti and succulents