Alan Titchmarsh explains phrases you need to watch out for on plant labels

He said: “Read a description intending to promote sales in any seed or plant catalogue and you will need to become adept at reading between the lines.”

Of phrases like’mildly invasive’ Alan said: “What it means in reality – when applied to the likes of Lily-of-the-valley and forget-me-nots – is that within a couple of years the plant so described will have taken over your entire plot. Be equally suspicious of ‘seeds itself about a bit’. This is ‘mildly invasive’ with knobs on.”

On ‘good for screening’ Alan said: “You’ll become a slave to the shears and the secateurs in an attempt to restore light to your garden.”

Alan added: “‘Slow to germinate’ means that it never will or, by the time it does, you will have lost the will to live. ‘Comes easily from seed’ is more accurate, but then the next stage is ‘mildly invasive’ (see above).”

Alan went on to explain the true meaning of ‘Prefers acid soil’ (will die on chalk) and ‘tolerant of deep shade’ (is ivy) and why ‘Height after ten years’ has led to ‘too many butchered examples of Magnolia x soulangeana in front gardens.”

Alan said: “I know they are written with the best intentions, but then they are also hoping for sales.”