HINTS, surprises and tips flowed from horticultural expert Howard Drury at the last meeting.

This was an evening that put plants ahead of gravel, decking and water features.

Questions and queries were answered in great depth, often with an instant computer print-out of the relevant facts.

The sex life of slugs and snails and the secrets of their slime trails were revealed to all, with much discussion on the relative merits of beer traps and the use of the much-maligned metaldehyde.

This was an absorbing evening full of quirky humour, up-to-date science and a passion for plants.

No doubt many members have now moved their Acer palmatum to a more suitable spot.

At the next meeting on Friday, at 7.30pm at the Abbey High School, Charles Hajdamach, principal museums officer, will give an illustrated talk on "The Golden Age of Stourbridge Glass".