The Garden Guru

Got a problem in your plot? Let our Garden Guru Martyn 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.