I've been given some freshly dug Jerusalem artichokes for my garden - should I plant them straight away or wait until spring?
Do it now; the tubers don't keep well once out of the ground. But note that late winter is probably the better time for transplanting if you have
that option. Choose a well-drained spot that has been enriched with compost, and plant tubers about 10cm deep and 40cm apart. Staking may be needed as the plants grow up to 3m tall, topped with small sunflowers.
Is this the right time to cut back a lion's tail plant?
Remove dead flowers, but leave the main trimming until spring. Properly known as Leonotis leonurus, this shrubby perennial is frost tender, though established plants usually survive the winter.
It strikes easily from cuttings taken in autumn or spring, and prefers full sun and good drainage. Allow plenty of space as leonotis grows up to 2m tall and almost as wide. The whorls of striking orange flowers that appear in autumn are great for floral arrangement.
If you have a gardening question, email Glenys at glenyswoollard@clear.net.nz
