Q. I have recently planted Conocarpus trees in an area that needed a dense, quick growing hedge for privacy reasons. Previously I had planted Ficus there but it became leggy and thus did not provide the necessary screen that I wanted. I succumbed to my own reservations and planted the Conocarpus but then read your thoughts on this species. I now feel that I should remove them but what can I plant instead?

A. I am delighted that you have seen — and accepted — the error and wish to rectify it. An ideal candidate for creating rapid privacy is the salt and wind resistant Clerodendron which with its small, dense, evergreen leaves, and the added bonus of being covered in tiny white flowers during the summer monsoon, is absolutely perfect for the reasons you have mentioned above. Furthermore, regular clipping, into interesting shapes if you like, helps keep it dense thus giving you privacy to the nth degree.

Q. I have a very small area of lawn, surrounded by high walls, serving as the garden of my small house in Abbotabad. I want to convert this into a relaxing and colourful place where I can sit, but due to my bad back, I cannot tend garden beds. Can you please give me some ideas as to what I can plant there?

Your gardening queries answered here

A. You can grow a variety of plants in large pots or pots placed on raised benches/tables thus making gardening easier for you as bending over would be minimum. You could also paint the walls in cheerful colours or with a mural which would add round-the-year ornamentation and interest.

Q. What is the Urdu or Punjabi name of Agastache foeniculum (Anise hyssop) and where is it commonly found in Pakistan? I am writing a project report about its significance as a pollinator crop and need some information.

A. There is no Urdu or Punjabi name for Agastache foeniculum. This lovely herb is native to America and Canada and to the best of my knowledge, has never been recorded from the wild in Pakistan. It is only cultivated, on an extremely small scale indeed, by home gardeners who have imported the seed. Hence it has absolutely no significance as a pollinator crop in Pakistan.

Q. I want to know the Urdu name of Argania spinosa. Is it available here?

A. There is no Urdu name for Argania spinosa which is a tree endemic to a small, desert area of southern Morocco and from which Argan nuts are harvested for their oil. The trees are not available in Pakistan and even if they were, it is highly unlikely that they would tolerate our climate.

Q. Can we purchase pot/polythene grown plants from nurseries and re-pot them during these scorching summer days?

A. It would be best to wait and do this during the summer monsoon period but even then avoid trying to re-pot any plants which are in flower or in the process of developing fruit.

Q. I planted some olive saplings but they have not fruited yet. What am I doing wrong?

A. Without knowing the location, soil type and age of the trees it is impossible to help. Please send your question again with full information.

Q. I have an olive tree in my garden and it now has small olives on it but many of them are dropping off. How can I make the tree strong and healthy and prevent fruit drop?

A. It is perfectly normal for olive trees — other fruit trees too — to set more fruit than they can ripen so, in a natural process, they shed the excess, only retaining the amount they can ripen without damaging their own health. For additional information/advice it is imperative to supply your location and soil type.

Q. I have a seven to eight year old Ixora in a pot but despite strong growth it has never flowered. It was pruned last December but the soil has never been changed.

A. Known as a sun lover, Ixora actually stands more chance of flowering if it is in lightly-dappled shade, especially during the noontime heat. Re-potting in new, slightly acidic, soil is essential for plant health: soil/compost should be changed on an annual basis if the plant is to obtain the nutrients it needs to flourish and flower. Light, very selective pruning is usually done after the flowering has finished. Over-pruning can prevent flowering until after the plant has regained its strength.

Q. I grew a ginger plant from a piece of root with a bud on it. After some time the shoot died but another one came in its place. This happened a few times over 18 months but, when I dug it up, there was only one very small piece of ginger. Where did I go wrong?

A. Ginger needs very rich soil/compost — plenty of water and light shade — if the plant is to thrive and produce tuners of a decent size. Prepare a suitable soil/compost mix and try again.

Please continue sending your gardening queries to zahrahnasir@hotmail.com. It is important to include your location. The writer does not respond directly by email. Emails with attachments will not be opened.

Published in Dawn, EOS, July 23rd, 2017