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Hello,

There are a number of things that can cause the symptoms you describe, but the most likely cause is stress brought on by summer drought or winter wet. These symptoms however can also be attributed to a nutrient deficiency, so make sure the plants are kept well fed with a good, general purpose fertiliser such as Vitax Q4, and keep and eye on the watering.

I hope this helps,

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Hello Julie, We only sell Buxus in 9cm or 1.5lt pots now, which are approx 10-15cm or 15-20cm. Sorry we can't be more help. Helen Plant Doctor

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Hello Hilary, As it is growing in a pot, the most likely problems are either too much or too little watering. I would check to make sure that the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot is not blocked or that when you do water it, it doesn't just run around the sides of the rootball. The other thing to look out for is box blight, but this is usually accompanied by a fungal growth. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

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Hello Jane, I'm afraid we have all the plants we sell displayed on our website so we do not sell larger sizes of the Osmanthus. As for the hedging, if you click on the link below it will take you to our full range of hedging plants. Unfortunately we do not have anything that meets all your criteria, but if you click on the smaller images it will give you a lot more information on hardiness levels (fully hardy means they can cope with the weather in Scotland) as well as leaf colour etc. Unfortunately though I do not have a list of plants which are not poisonous to horses, but your local vet may be able to help you with this. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/hedging/plcid.30/ Best regards, Helen Plant Doctor

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Hello Margaret, Box Blight has become a nuisance in the last few years, and I can only imaging how annoying and upsetting it must have been to have to dig all your plants up. I would still consider box to be a reliable plant though, especially as most plants are prone to some annoying and potentially dangerous pests or diseases. Therefore I am not really sure what to suggest, but if you click on the following link however it will take you to our full range of shrubs, which we consider 'low maintenance'. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/plcid.1/vid.176/ I'm sorry not to be more help. Helen Plant Doctor

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Hello Guy, The following plants would be suitable for your pots. Forget-me-not (Myosotis species) Bellflowers (Campanula species) Cranesbill (Geranium species) Dahlia - single-flowered species and cultivars Hellebores (Helleborus species) Japanese anemone (Anemone ?? hybrida) Fritillaries (Fritillaria species) Grape hyacinth (Muscari species) Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) Box (Buxus sempervirens) Christmas box (Sarcococca species) I hope this helps, Helen Plant Doctor

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Hello Benedetta, I wonder if you mean Buxus sempervirens, which can be trained as topiary into all sorts of shapes - including balls.

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We do sell a wire frame that can be used to help shape topiary - just click on the following link to go straight to it. http://www.crocus.co.uk/product/_/quick-hen-topiary-maker/classid.2000005040/

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There are several plants that will be suitable for growing in your containers. Below I have listed plants that are quite low maintenance and tough - just on the links below to access my suggestions:- Elaeagnus http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/_/search.elaeagnus/?s=elaeagnus Aucuba http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/_/search.aucuba/?s=aucuba Euonymus http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/euonymus-fortunei-emerald-gaiety/classid.3820/ Fatsia japonica http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/fatsia-japonica-/classid.3840/ Buxus http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/_/search.buxus/?s=buxus Skimmia http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/_/search.skimmia/?s=skimmia

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Deer can be a real problem and deer proof plants are usually thorny, poisonous or simply taste awful, but it is hard to give a definitive list as you might get the odd deer with unusual tastes which might like the bitter taste! Below is a list of good plants that generally are quite successful though. Cornus varieties, Rhus, Sophora, Solanum, Berberis, Rosemary, Buxus, Cotoneaster, Ilex, Pyracantha, Garrya, Juniperus, Nandina, Elaeagnus, Aralia, Aucuba, Cortaderia, Yucca, Santolina, Hypericum, Myrtle, Vinca, Achillea, Digitalis, Echinacea and Dryopteris. Finally, fencing is one method to protect garden crops from deer. Since deer jump, you need an 8-foot fence for best results or stout chicken-wire fencing securely around smaller garden plots. Alternatively, fence the area with a thorny shrub, preferably something that will grow to at least 6 feet. Deer eat roses and some thorns but hawthorn, boxwood and holly will exclude them. Deer are also deterred by dogs, hanging aluminum foil, mirrors, wood that hits objects in the wind and other noise-makers. Some old-fashioned repellents are human hair and blood and bonemeal. Hanging bars of fragrant deodorant soap from branches may work. Other well-known deer repellents are mothballs or moth flakes spread on the ground or put in mesh bags for hanging in a tree. Unfortunately though, no repellent is 100 percent effective, especially if the deer population is high and deer are starving.