From the Archives: Foliage Frenzy
From the Archives: Foliage Frenzy  
Podcast: Gardeners' Question Time
Published On: Fri May 16 2025
Description: Kathy Clugston prunes through the extensive GQT archive, which includes some much needed advice on all things Foliage.With 77 years of experience in providing ample advice, our various GQT panellists are more than equipped to solve your gardening conundrums. They provide tips on the best plants for a foliage border, banana plants that can withstand the winter, and plants for a bed that never sees any sunshine. Away from the questions, Matthew Wilson heads over to Sienna Hosta nursery to speak with Chris Potts, who explains how they keep their hostas slug and snail free.Producer: Daniel Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly MaileA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q - What would be the best plants for a foliage border? (01'07")Matthew Biggs – Euonymus fortunei f. radicans 'Silver Queen', spindle ‘Silver Queen’ Euonymus fortunei var. radicans, wintercreeperAnne Swithinbank – Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'PBR , Siberia bugloss ‘Jack Frost’ Cornus canadensis, dwarf cornelMatthew Wilson – Hosta, plantain lily Hosta sieboldiana, siebold’s plantain lily Hosta 'Big Daddy' (_sieboldiana_ hybrid) (v), plantain lily ‘Big Daddy’Q- Why isn't my Christmas berry 'Red Robin' in here a lovely bright colour, like others? (04'22")Q- Can banana plants stay outside during the winter? (08'10")Matthew Pottage – Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish', banana 'Dwarf Cavendish'Q – Why has my 12-year-old smoke bush has turned brown overnight? (11'19")Feature – Matthew Pottage speaks with Managing Director of Sienna Hosta Nursery Chris Potts about how they nurture their Hosta’s to be pest free (17'07")Q-  What type of ferns should I use in my fernery? (22'40")Matthew Wilson – Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance', copper shield fern 'Brilliance' Polystichum setiferum (Divisilobum Group) 'Herrenhausen', soft shield fern 'Herrenhausen' Matteuccia struthiopteris, shuttlecock fern Pippa Greenwood – Primula vulgaris (Pr/Prim), primrose Wild violetsQ - What could I plant in a bed that never sees any sunshine? (27'51")Matthew Wilson – Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign', lungwort 'Blue Ensign' Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance', copper shield fern 'Brilliance' Matteuccia struthiopteris, shuttlecock fern Deschampsia cespitosa, tufted hair grassChristine – Rheum palmatum, Chinese rhubarb Heuchera, cora bells Ligularia Q- How do I properly mow my lawn without ruining the foliage surrounding it? (32'33")Q - What can I do to take care of my 3ft Poinsettias? (37'35")