GARDEN GURU

Q I am completely new to gardening and wondered whether I should wet compost before potting something up.

Nicola Buckley

A No, damp compost is difficult to handle. Pot up your plant and then water well.

Q Every year my hostas are Q eaten by slugs and snails. Are there any varieties that the pests don’t eat?

Mike Thompson

A Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a slug-proof hosta, although some do seem to fare a bit better than others. Among them are those with thicker or heavily ribbed leaves, such as ‘Big Daddy’, ‘Devon Green’ and ‘Sum and Substance’.

Q I’ve had a magnolia for three years and it’s never flowered. What am I doing wrong?

Christine Finn

A I think you just need to be patient, as young magnolias sometimes take several years to bloom. In the meantime, check that it’s in a sheltered, sunny or slightly shaded spot, with moist but well drained, neutral to acidic soil. Those in pots need ericaceous compost.

Q I have a variegated elaeagnus that’s producing shoots with pure green leaves. Is this normal?

Charlotte Abraham

A Yes. Many variegated plants are prone to reversion, a disorder that results in pure green shoots. These sprigs are more vigorous than the variegated ones, so snip them off at the main stem to prevent them taking over.