Some gardening questions

[dataandspot]

I have lots of questions! Would be grateful for any help.

1. I have an iris that had flowers that were very pale and unattractive. Anyone know why?

2. My penstemon have mildew type spots on the leaves. Should I do something to it?

3. I planted a phlox two years ago. It's got nice and tall but there are no flowers on it? Any advice?

4)I planted agapanthus but they have no flowers?

5. I have a penstemon that isn't flowering.

6. I have some Valerian which has got really tall and kind of flattened to the ground. Can I do something to stop it happening next year?

7. can I move a fuscia that has been in the same position for years and years or will it kill it?

8. can you get cosmos that is perennial? I love it!

9. My back garden which is south facing gets lots of aphids. Should I ignore then or not?

10. my Roxane geranium has flowered. Can you I make it flower again?

Grateful for any help. I have only been gardening a few years!

Here goes!

1. Probably the wild flower iris, insignificant flowers, but bright red berries.

2 mildew often a result of not enough water. 3 ? Patience or not enough sun. 4 Agapanthus can take several years to flower, they like restricted roots. 5 some of mine haven't flowered yet, give it time 6 it does this. You could stake it. 7 might do, try and take cuttings 8 No, save the seeds and plant new next year. 9 ladybirds will eat them, but I spray with diluted washing up liquid, every couple of days, when I see them 10 you can chop it down to a couple of inches and it might.

Whew! I'm sur others will have some more advice. Happy gardening!

Agree with all of the above. I'd also add that if you want to move a large fuchsia, you should ideally wait until it is dormant (around October time). That should improve your chances of success.

With aphids I find that if you leave the problem for long enough, it will resolve itself, i.e. ladybirds and other predators will move in. You can help things along by planting some things that either attract the predators, or repel aphids. Catmint, geraniums and alliums are all supposed to be good. If you want quicker results washing up liquid is good.

Bart

The aphids in my garden seem to be eaten by ants. I haven't seen a ladybird in the garden.

JT05

Wow! You are spot on with so much you said!

I think you are right about the Iris and Penstamen.

Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply.

It may look like that, but ants don't eat aphids. Ants actually protect aphids from other predators, which may be part of the problem, as they could be scaring off the ladybirds as well. Have a look at this: www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-aphids-and-ants.htm

If there are a lot of aphids and ants, spraying with washing up liquid should help in the short term.

the aphid ant wasp interaction is interesting but when I see aphid infestation I look for other signs of "illness" often drought.
Phlox does like the sun.
Fuchsia's only like certain conditions, if it is alive and doing well i'd resist moving it.