Gardeners’ Question Time
Pippa Greenwood
Pippa is one of the foremost experts on pests and diseases. She gardens using organic methods.
Christine Walkden
Garden writer Christine appears on BBC1’s The One Show . She is also a lecturer and tour leader.
Matthew Wilson
Garden designer Matthew was curator of RHS Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr, and often appears on television.
Q Can I grow a clematis and rose through an old apple tree?
Gina Lane, by email
A PIPPA SAYS As long as your old apple tree is still healthy, it should be fine – I’d not be so happy if it were sickly (if it has an infection, it may then spread around the garden if the tree isn’t removed) or if the tree looks as if it might soon blow over (that’d be a waste of the climbers you’re about to plant). You don’t say how big the apple is, but unless it is unusually tall, it may be better to choose a climbing rose, as ramblers could be too rampant for an apple tree to support.
The choice is yours – choose a colour that will make your heart sing and you’ll not regret it. One of my favourite roses is the rich golden yellow and heavily scented ‘Maigold’. For the clematis, I’d go for a Clematis montana or one of its varieties as they don’t need regular pruning and are almost guaranteed to grow well.
A What a lovely idea and one that means you retain a bit of character and height
