GARDEN GURU

Q A shrub is growing in my garden that produces beautiful bell-shaped white flowers in spring and has young leaves that start red, before turning pink and cream, and then green. What is it and can I take cuttings?

Tom Beckett

A The plant in the photograph A you sent to me is Pieris ‘Forest Flame’, an evergreen shrub that prefers acidic soil. You can propagate it from 4-6in long, semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.

Q I have a ten-year-old, 4ft-tall oleander that has never bloomed. Is there a reason for this?

Nigel Fortnam

A Oleander (Nerium oleander) likes a light spot and is unlikely to flower if it is in any kind of shade. Also, overfeeding can result in lots of leafy growth at the

expense of flowers. In my experience, plants tend to do better if you don’t feed them at all. Overwatering and underwatering might also be responsible – if the plant is in a pot, water only when the compost is dry. Prune lightly to encourage fresh growth that will carry this year’s flowers.

Q Is it possible to grow trees and shrubs in pots of multi-purpose compost?

Alice Reeves

I prefer to grow long-term A container subjects in a 50/50 mixture of John Innes No.3 compost and multipurpose. This home-made blend has good drainage and contains long-lasting nutrients.