Ask Lia Leendertz

Blooming annoyance

For 10 years, my peonies bloomed well, but for the past two years they have had no buds or blooms. They look healthy enough. Have the past two dry springs affected them?

Peonies like moisture, but yours may have been in one spot for too long. Established peony clumps get congested and need revitalising. Now is a good time to dig them up, divide and replant. This will give them time to get a little established before the cold halts them in their tracks. Cut off the stems, then dig up carefully: the roots are easily damaged. Shake off as much soil as you can; if it's still hard to see what you're doing, wash off the rest. Using a sharp knife , divide the plant into pieces with up to five buds and the same number of bulbous roots. Take care not to plant too deep: this can lead to lots of growth and no flowers. The buds should be no more than 5cm below the surface. Plant about a foot apart. Now the hard part: nip out any flower buds next year to make the plants put all their energy into strong root growth - your restraint will reap rewards in the future.

The lawn killer

I have leatherjackets in my lawn and have read that the best treatment are the chemicals HCH or carbaryl. What products contain them?

Leatherjackets are the babies of the crane fly, which lay eggs into lawns in August. These hatch within a few weeks, and the larvae feed on the roots of the grass through winter, causing yellow patches and slow growth in spring. Treat now, while the soil is still warm and before they do any damage. The chemicals you mention are very nasty, and there is a far more widely used biological alternative - nematodes that eat the grubs. They're mixed with water in a watering can or using a hose-end feeder, and applied to a pre-watered lawn. From (01394 420087).

Plant it now

Anemone hupehensis 'September Charm'

Some plants work particularly hard for their space in the garden. The name Anemone hupehensis 'September Charm' is a little coy, since this plant in fact flowers over about three months, from August to October. Bloom after bloom of clear, pale pink flowers, each of them several inches across, are set off by the graceful, arching flowering stems, which are stained purple, as are the backs of the petals. Plant in semi-shade in soil that has been improved with compost or well-rotted farmyard manure. It may take a little while to establish, but once settled it will be off, quickly forming a lovely big clump. There is no need to put in any support, either, because the stems hold themselves up well without. Cut stems down as soon as their flowers have faded. Mulch every spring and avoid digging it up to divide for as long as possible as it resents disturbance.

· Readers can buy three well-developed plants in 9cm pots for £12.95 or nine plants for £32.85. Call 0870 836 0908, quoting ref GUPW02. Price includes UK mainland p&p. Dispatched in 28 days