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Acid-loving azaleas grow happily in pots of ericaceous compost, so you can enjoy these plants even without acid garden soil. They come in a wide range of colours, from deep red and pink to orange, yellow or pure white. Some even have a wonderful

, moving to a host plant to overwinter. They breed at an alarming rate - females can give birth to live young when only a week old. They are sap-sucking pests and the excess sap is excreted as honeydew. This sticky residue falls on to the lower leaves

it in with your fingers.This combination of plants should overwinter safely in the wall pot. In autumn, tidy up the fleabane by cutting it back. protect the strawberries from the cold weather with a covering of straw.AdamIt's worth considering slug protection

-infection. This is particularly important in autumn when the spores can overwinter on fallen leaves to contaminate seedlings or new growth in spring. Prune out infected growth and maintain an open centre to shrubs to allow good air circulation through the plant.Spray the plant

If you're short of sun in your garden but want an interesting summer display, try this rich blend of foliage plants. Both the plectranthus and begonias perform well in shade.April - JuneJuly - September20 minutesBegonia rex x2Purple

.When planting aloes, make sure you use a really gritty compost mix as they like a well-drained soil and don't survive if their roots are constantly wet. Aloes can be overwintered on a windowsill or in a greenhouse.More contemporary container displaysCreating a

. The weed may be introduced as seed, seedlings or as plants in compost when buying new plants from nurseries or garden centres. It may also spread from neighbouring gardens or remain dormant at depth in the soil to be brought to the surface by cultivation

Surround your roses with strongly scented companion plants, such as lavender, thyme, rue and garlic chives, to help keep aphids at bay. While gardeners are attracted by their beauty, rose pests are deterred by the herbs' strong scents. March - April

.AdamMany of these plants can be raised from seed. Sow them into fibre pots in spring and you can transplant them into the container without disturbing their roots.Take cuttings of the osteospermum in summer and overwinter them indoors in case you lose plants during a cold

, then two-thirds fill it with compost.Plant the myrtle in the centre of the box surrounded by the campanulas. Top up the box with compost, gently firming it around the plant roots with your fingers.This container will overwinter outside if there's a