It’s a good time for planting new evergreens, but do make sure that in really windy weather, rocking does not make their roots lose contact with the surrounding soil and dry out. In a windy place, a temporary stake is helpful for good establishment. Water them if there’s a dry spell.

Divide or plant the fat, yellow, starfish roots of foxtail lilies (Eremurus) and Asphodelines. Pull them apart gently, so each of the fat buds in the clump retains its own roots. Foxtail lily roots should be spread out flat, like a wheel, with the bud just below the surface.

Divide clumps of evergreen Pacific Coast irises into groups of 5-6 rhizomes (Iris douglasiana, innominata, etc.). They are great, trouble-free evergreen plants for growing in front of rhododendrons, and need no staking whatsoever.

Don’t keep a dog in a closed-up car, nor plants in a closed-up greenhouse – remember, it’s not winter yet. Keep some air passing through to combat fungal diseases, even if you close up at night. If the sun shines, open those vents or it will overheat, even in October.

Readers’ queries

Can you tell me when it is safe to transplant an apple tree? Mine is two years old now, and I am told it is too close to our hedge and should be moved. It is bearing no fruit despite the fact that it was covered in blossom in spring. Is there any reason for this?

Mrs S. Magee, Gravesend

It’s not at all too late to move it. Do it once it’s leafless, just like any other deciduous tree. Get a big rootball, put it in a big enough hole, and stake it well. It will set it back somewhat, but that’s OK. Flowers but no fruit probably means you have no pollinator tree (not that it was a good spring for pollinator insects either). It’s not enough just to plant another apple now; you need a compatible variety which flowers at the same time. You can find long lists of these on www.gardenaction.co.uk – marriage counselling for trees. Sometimes, if you only want one apple tree, it’s worth choosing a variety that’s compatible with a tree next-door. A risky policy, but very handy. Marriage counsellors would disapprove.

I have just had some large sycamores removed, and hidden among them was a rowan tree, which I want to save. It is about 25ft tall, with one thin stem and two or three small branches high up. What should I do?

Mrs A. Knapp, Aberdeenshire

It is amazing how rowans – mountain ash – will get going under mature trees when you commonly see them thriving on their own out in the blasting winds where few other trees would survive. Odder still is the fact that, if you use rowan as firewood, the bark peels off the wood, but refuses to catch light until it is absolutely desiccated by raging hot flame – as if it had evolved as a protection from fire. Heather fires from lightning?

I am sure that yours will survive. Give it a year or so to see if its intentions are honest. If it breaks bud lower down, then cut it back to a green side shoot, even if it means taking off 10ft. Light and air will do wonders. It must be crazy with relief.

stephen.anderton@thetimes.co.uk

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