GQT Gardeners’ Question Time
Anne Swithinbank
A keen fruit, vegetable and house-plant grower, Anne was formerly the glasshouse supervisor at RHS Garden Wisley.
Ashley Edwards
As a head gardener with charity Horatio’s Garden, Ashley enjoys spreading his love of plants to others.
Pippa Greenwood
Pippa is one of the foremost experts on pests and diseases. She gardens using organic methods.
Q How can I deer-proof my red, white and blue bed?
Geraldine Senior, WWII US Air Force Museum, Suffolk
A ANNE SAYS Repellents such as Grazers will make shoots and leaves taste foul and put off the deer. These have to be re-applied at least every six weeks and concentrations for diluting into water are usually more economical than ready-to-use sprays.
We can also learn from the natural landscape, where young trees are protected from deer by brambles. These nurse the young stems until the developing canopy shades them out. Move any roses into the middle of the bed (they transplant well from late autumn to spring) beyond deer-leaning distance and surround them with spiny f. ‘Red Chief’ and spiky blue sea hollies, perhaps ‘Picos Blue’. They’ll continue the colour theme while hopefully deterring deer. Pungent salvias such as . ‘Hot Lips’ and the tall, blue. ’Animo’ should be safe.
