Q &A

Which native plants grow well in containers?

Many of them, given the right conditions. Some astelias are suitable and don’t mind being potbound, while flax should thrive if it gets full sun, good drainage, thorough watering when dry and an occasional dose of slow-release fertiliser — late autumn is a good time to split existing plants. Others to consider include cabbage trees, carex, coprosma, griselinia, hebe, kauri, kowhai, libertia, muehlenbeckia, pittosporum, pohutukawa, poor knights lily, pseudopanax and puka. Use a good commercial potting mix for best results.

What’s the difference between garden lime, dolomite lime and hydrated lime?

Garden lime (aka agricultural lime or calcium carbonate) is a soil conditioner rather than a fertiliser; it helps plants absorb nutrients already in the soil and is usually applied in autumn or winter when the soil is bare and has been dug over. Dolomite is slower-acting, but with the added benefit of magnesium as well as lime. Hydrated lime is a quick-acting fine powder that can irritate eyes and skin if not handled carefully — best leave it for making cement

If you have a gardening question, email Glenys at

glenyswoollard@icloud.com