Got a problem in your plot? Let our Garden Guru Martynn Cox help you out

Q My magnolia tree has been planted for a year. I keep reading that I should feed it in spring. What with? Carole Townsend A It’s not usually necessary to feed magnolias – just mulch with rotted farmyard manure in the autumn. It can take several years for a magnolia to flower. Q I moved a hibiscus to a sunny, south-facing position because it didn’t flower well. It still disappoints even though I feed and water it. Would it help to plant another nearby? Sophia Mountford A Hibiscus are self-fertile, so they don’t need a planting partner. The position sounds fine, so I think you just need to be patient. They do need a long, hot summer to bloom well. Next year, prune branches in early spring to encourage a flush of new shoots.