MEET our new Argus Garden Guru ROB WILLIAMS of the Secret Garden, Mamhilad.

He’ll be helping your plants flourish and answering your gardening questions:

QUESTION: I HAVE a major slug problem in my garden. Which plants could I use which they don’t like to eat?

DE of Shirenewton

ANSWER: Slugs can be a real problem.

The sort of plants that slugs do not like to eat are geraniums, New Guinea Imps, lavender and most shrubs such as hebes and hollys.

They particularly like eating plants such as hostas, marigolds, lupins and delphiniums so avoid planting these.

Encouraging birds into your garden will also help control the slug/snail population.

QUESTION: I’M trying to reduce the amount of water I use in my garden.

What can I plant which will need little or no separate watering, but will still give me some colour?

MW of Abergavenny

ANSWER: GERANIUMS need little water and like dry conditions. There are many varieties of geraniums and they come in all colours to give a wonderful display during the summer months.

Plants from the succulent family such as house leeks and sedums also require little water. If you improve the soil quality by adding organic matter and put a mulch on top of bare soil this will help to retain the moisture which reduces the amount of watering required.

QUESTION: What low-maintenance but fast-growing ground covering plants would you recommend for borders?

CT of Newport

ANSWER: Plants requiring low maintenance but which grow fast include periwinkle which is an evergreen spreading plant which roots as it grows. Most varieties have purple and blue flowers although some varieties have white flowers.Helexine-known commonly as “Mind your own business is good for shady and damp areas. Lamium- “dead nettle” has attractive foliage and flowers and comes in a wide range of colours.

These are all fast growers and very colourful.

QUESTION: HOWdo I stop cats visiting my garden and spoiling my lawn?

AH of Newport

ANSWER: It is very difficult to keep cats from visiting your garden although there is a plant called Coleus Canina which gives off a smell which cats really do not like!

DO you have a question for our Garden Guru? Email maria.williams@southwalesargus.co.uk or write to Garden Guru, Newsdesk, South Wales Argus, Cardiff Road, NEWPORT, NP20 3QN