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Plant heathers and trailing ivy in pots for winter colourCut down faded stems on rudbeckia and Shasta daisies, to just above soil levelFinish planting tulips as soon as possibleClear golden hop, sweet peas and annual climbers from supports

Trim autumn-flowering heathersCollect fallen rose leaves that could carry diseases over to next seasonPlant new rosesTransplant shrubs or small treesFinish planting tulip bulbsHang bird feeders over rose beds to attract birds to pick off overwintering pests

to flower.But last spring, thanks to the vigilance of our newly-acquired cat, the tulip bulbs did actually flower. The display was gorgeous. Old habits die hard, though, and this year I placed plastic trays over two low-level planters that were planted

Gold', which seems to produce flowers from January onwards. I also plant tulips, ideally the richer-coloured varieties, which seem to be less readily available to buy by the bunch. Daffodil bulbs are unbelievably good value, especially if you buy them a

major disaster has come to light. Due to a mix up in the bulb warehouse, a batch of tulips that should have been pure white Tulipa 'Purissima' turned out to be unidentified huge-flowered red things, which do not agree at all with the neighbouring pink

the affected parts. In a few cases genetic mutation is the cause, and the deformity will be permanent.delphiniums, forsythias, lilies, primulas and other plantsspring, summer, autumn, winterCommon problems affecting plantsReversionMagnesium deficiencyRose rustTulip

pull them out if they appear in the garden. Every two weeks from early spring onwards spray plants with a systemic action fungicide.hollyhocks, mallowall year roundCommon fungal problems affecting plantsIris leaf spotRose blackspotRose rustTulip fire

to an attack. Clear away leaf debris lying on the ground around the plants. Take care not to damage leaves and stems unnecessarily.irisesspring, summer, autumnCommon fungal problems affecting plantsRustRhododendron leaf spotTulip firePrimula leaf spot

heapBuy tulip bulbs as soon as you find them but hold back from planting until late October-NovemberDig up gladioli corms after flowering to store until next springCollect seeds, lay them out to dry, then store them in labelled envelopesPrune rambling

Buy tulips now while they're fresh in garden centres, but hold off planting till next month Plant daffodils, hyacinths and crocus in potsLift and pot up tender perennials to protect over winterClear away faded summer bedding and annuals, composting