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Perennials/Questions Answered by Expert Tom Alonzo

SubjectDate Asked
Evening Primrose2/6/2012
  Q: I harvested many seeds from my "Moonflowers" Evening Primrose last fall and want to start the seeds ...
  A: Thanx for your question. When you say moonflowers, are you talking about Ipomoea alba, a vine, ...
Lilies2/3/2012
  Q: I have a medium size wooden barrel located in the southeast of our house and would like to know if I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't see why you couldn't plant day lilies in a wooden barrel. And ...
alstroemeria princess lilies1/4/2012
  Q: I am growing them in my apt. (53150) 1. what soil should I buy to split and repot? 2. what ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would just buy some standard potting soil. Use a 12-12-12 balanced ...
Cómo plantar una wisteria11/28/2011
  Q: Hola Tom, yo vivo en Guatemala, Centro América en una ciudad con clima de 22 grados centígrados ...
  A: Hola Dafne, Gracias para su pregunta. Si Ud. tiene plantas de semillas, se requiere 15+ anos para ...
Winter mulching11/13/2011
  Q: I am a total novice and just planted a perennial garden this spring. I have a couple lilac bushes, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would leave the bark be and then if it is recommended in your area to ...
various10/19/2011
  Q: I have done summit illegal. This spring, I bought a yellow Osteospermum and on the pot it said 'This ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. Hi Basically, if a plant is patented, you are prohibited from ...
Winterizing potted evergreens10/18/2011
  Q: I live in northeastern Pennsylvania. ( Zone 5 )I have three pencil evergreens that I have had ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think moving the potted pencil hollies (I think that's what you have.) ...
plantin rose of sharon seeds10/16/2011
  Q: I live in Lancaster PA. and i will like to know if i plant rose of sharon seeds in fall can them ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I do not recommend planting Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) now. I ...
collecting seed10/8/2011
  Q: My experience is growing plants from seed is good but it is mainly bedding plants. I have grown ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I look forward to helping out any way I can. There have always been a lot ...
Shade lovers10/7/2011
  Q: Hey! I think I finally have a question for you that's actually in your expertise! LOL! Shade loving ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are lots of things you can plant in shade like that. Creeping ...
how to grow lillies from seed10/6/2011
  Q: I'm one of the experts on this website but i need to ask how to grow lillies from seed. I have a ...
  A: You are most welcome. Be sure to contact me any time if I can be of service. Let me know what ...
Begonias inside10/6/2011
  Q: Is it possible to winterize begonia tubers wrapped in a paper bag and putting them in the vegetable ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't normall keep begonias over the winter. I think I tried a couple ...
Calla Lily10/5/2011
  Q: I read your response to question about the seed pods. I am a bit confused and want to get the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I apologize for any confusion my previous instructions may have caused. I ...
how to grow lillies from seed10/5/2011
  Q: I'm one of the experts on this website but i need to ask how to grow lillies from seed. I have a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. And special greetings to another "expert". First, the Stargazer lily is a ...
Bouganville10/5/2011
  Q: I live in CoraI Springs, Florida (south Florida). I replaced my white fly stricken ficus trees with ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons why your bougainvillea might be losing ...
Help, cross breeding hibiscus?10/3/2011
  Q: I like asking you questions cause you're nice. Here's a forum post I made on helpfulgardener.com, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The matters you're asking after are a bit above my expertise. I ...
Sedum9/26/2011
  Q: I have 2 sedum plants in my backyard and I love them. However, they grow so tall that by the time ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Are your sedum planted in full sun? I have some as you describe called ...
Shrub!9/23/2011
  Q: can you ID this shrub? I've been taking care of it. When winter comes and it goes dormant I plan to ...
  A: Thanx for the info. The bark-like growths on the twigs reminded me of something but I couldn't put ...
Pencil tree9/23/2011
  Q: Can you tell me what might be happening to this Pencil tree? I lost a couple last year after they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This looks like a pencil holly tree/shrub right? It looks like it is ...
Need flowering plant ideas9/21/2011
  Q: I live in zone 9a and have a garden space that was previously partial shade with ardisia japonica as ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Why don't you put some lantana down? It comes in different colors, is a ...
Astibules9/20/2011
  Q: I live in No. Calif and have Astilbes planted all around my bird bath. They have always preformed as ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This time of year it is natural for astilbes to start going dormant. They ...
Shrub!9/18/2011
  Q: can you ID this shrub? I've been taking care of it. When winter comes and it goes dormant I plan to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Unfortunately, I'm not a shrub expert. We have one here on Allexperts, ...
Hydrangeas9/17/2011
  Q: We built our retirement home in the lakes country of Minnesota and I see alot of hydrangeas that ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would avoid planting any tree or shrub too closely to any kind of pipe ...
Hibiscus9/16/2011
  Q: I live in Florida. My hibiscus plants are growing and green and look healthy. But at this time are ...
  A: Thanx for the followup and additional information. I would stop using the general purpose ...
Is this poison oak/ivy?9/14/2011
  Q: there are 2 plants growing right next to each other in the shade of my canna lily/spiderwort. They ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I apologize that it took so long to get to your question. I was having ...
Calla Lily Amethyst9/9/2011
  Q: was wondering instead of putting in basement, can you bring them indoors for the winter?
  A: Thanx for your question. One doesn't necessarily have to put them in the basement. If you can fine ...
hydrangea8/25/2011
  Q: I fell in love with large oak leaf , blue ,one in a 10 gall container. Would it survive , staying ...
  A: Ten gallon might be big enough but you'll have to make sure you keep control of it. Container ...
pruning of azaleas8/24/2011
  Q: I LIVE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA AND SOME OF MY AZALEAS ARE BLOOMING NOW I WANT TO KNOW WHEN IS THE BEST ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here's a great website (at the link below) for accessing good info on ...
Prennial Flower Name8/18/2011
  Q: Do you know the name of the attached flowers? Also, it has pods on the stem's...are these seeds and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant in the photo is butterfly weed (Aesclepius tuberosa). The pods ...
Identify flower8/18/2011
  Q: We have searched and cannot identify this flower, could you please tell us what it is?
  A: Thanx for your question. I believe the plant in the photo is Peruvian Daffodil (Hymenocalis x ...
hydrangea8/17/2011
  Q: I fell in love with large oak leaf , blue ,one in a 10 gall container. Would it survive , staying ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Can you give me your general location? I think if you planted the oak ...
ground cover advice8/17/2011
  Q: I am working on my front yard and like some advice on which ground cover is the best for my yard. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a link to some popular Native California ground covers but I don't ...
hostas8/16/2011
  Q: now that the plants have blossomed and the flowers have fallen off, will it hurt the plant to cut ...
  A: Thanx for your question. No adverse effects will come to your hostas if you remove the spent stems. ...
Calla Lily Seed Pods8/14/2011
  Q: It is the middle of August & I live in South Bend IN. My calla has bloomed for the 1st time and has ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Allow the pod to dry and then place the pea-like seeds in a clean, dry, ...
white leaves on double salmon color hib8/3/2011
  Q: ..i recently planted some double salmon hib. in march..i live in central florida ..all of a sudden ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The only thing I can think of about this is the watering. I'm wondering ...
peonies moving8/1/2011
  Q: Our house was mostly destroyed in a tornado and I have my husband's grandfather's Peonies to save ...
  A: First of all let me express my heartfelt best wishes for you, your family and the people of Joplin ...
Shasta Daisies in Southwest Florida7/31/2011
  Q: I am trying to grow Shasta daisies in southwest Florida (Cape Coral, FL). They seed quickly and, of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum superba) is hardy from zones 3-9, so you are ...
plant identification7/29/2011
  Q: This is the second part to my question Thanks, janean ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Cannas will overwinter under the right conditions. I see ...
plant identification7/28/2011
  Q: This is the second part to my question Thanks, janean
  A: Thanx foryour question. The plant in the picture shown looks like a red-leafed canna to me. Cannas ...
Asian lillies7/27/2011
  Q: Does cutting the flowers affect the propagation? What makes the bulbs multiply?
  A: Thanx for your question. Actually, cutting the flowers helps save energy for the bulb. The bulb ...
What is this plant, please?7/27/2011
  Q: I hope you can help me identify this flower! I saw it in the amazing garden at Arrow's Restaurant in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I've been trying to find examples of a plant 8-10 feet tall. It looks ...
Stella de Oro Lily7/25/2011
  Q: One of my Stella do Oro Lily plants has sent out many runners and new plants that are taking over my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A Stella D'Oro day lily should only increase by a couple plants per year ...
bouganvilla tree7/24/2011
  Q: I live in San Diego, CA. I bought a house that has a neglected bouganvilla tree that has grown to ...
  A: Thanx you for your question. Bougainvillea is actually a woody vine and not a tree. Here is a link ...
divide gladioli7/19/2011
  Q: I planted some gladioli a few years ago next to a concrete swimming pool at a home that we had just ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm in the Kansas City area. Nice to see a fellow Kansan on the net. ...
hydrangea wilt7/18/2011
  Q: I was unable to open your last response so I repeat: I have lots of hydrangea in Lido Beach. They ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This could be anthracnose or another fungal infection. Have you had lots ...
oakleaf and limelight hydrangeas7/14/2011
  Q: I have a couple of questions . . . it seems you used to be able to ask questions on the monrovia ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think you have me confused with someone else. I have never worked for ...
Thyme ground covers7/12/2011
  Q: I'm looking for a low growing ground cover to plant around a stepping stone walk way. I live in ...
  A: Thanx for the follow up. Dichondra micrantha would be good. Here are some links for other ...
asian lilies7/10/2011
  Q: What do i do when bloom is done. Deadhead? is the black a seed pod?
  A: Thanx for your question. When the lilies are finished blooming, you can deadhead them so they don't ...
Texas Dandelion7/9/2011
  Q: Tom - I too like Denise am trying to find out about the mysterious night blooming flower. Attached ...
  A: Thanx for the followup. The are many primrose variations. If you look at the flower though, that's ...
Thyme ground covers7/8/2011
  Q: I'm looking for a low growing ground cover to plant around a stepping stone walk way. I live in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Is this a plant that's going to get a lot of foot traffic or just ...
climbing vine7/5/2011
  Q: We have a 12 ft steel carport that sits in the full sun. What is a vine that will grow up it and be ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I always hesitate about recommending vines to cover things because they ...
Daylily6/29/2011
  Q: So I was digging up a daylily that was under a large peony bush and when it came up, the root ball ...
  A: Thanx for your question and thank you for sending the pic. This is what a day lily rhizome is ...
hydrrngeas6/28/2011
  Q: I planted a hydrangea plant 2-3 years ago and it hasn't bloomed or grown very much. It is planted ...
  A: Ok, let's see here. If you are pruning the plant I would stop. Some hydrangeas will not bloom if ...
blue dune lyme grass6/23/2011
  Q: Can I plant blue dune grass now? i live on the coast in virginia.
  A: Thanx for your question. The standard answer is that it is best to plant perennials in the early ...
Lambs' Ear6/21/2011
  Q: I am a first timer with Lambs Ear.. I have had the beautiful plant for a little over a year now and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can safely dig up and separate lamb's ear at any time. I would do it ...
Flower ID6/19/2011
  Q: I live in St. Augustine, Florida. Could you please let me know the name of the flower that is on a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It looks like a Rose of Sharon to me (Hibiscus syriacus) which grows in ...
tree ID6/17/2011
  Q: me again. I'm trying to identify a tree. sorry I have no pictures. I live in Alabama, USA zone ...
  A: thanx for your question. I think you are speaking of the mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) also ...
peonies6/14/2011
  Q: I transplanted a peonie bush, in the south-east corner of my house,three years ago. Why, hasn't it ...
  A: thanx for your question. Peonies that are transplanted can often take 2-3 years before they will ...
Asian lilys6/14/2011
  Q: I want to transplant some of my lily's. When is the best time to transplant?
  A: thanx for your question. Wait until August or September or at least when the foliage of the plant ...
Help with Perennial Identification6/13/2011
  Q: I have an odd-looking plant in my garden that I have no idea what it is. Can you help me identify ...
  A: Thanx for the follow up. It's definitely an allium. Allium is just the genus of onion-type plants ...
Help with Perennial Identification6/11/2011
  Q: I have an odd-looking plant in my garden that I have no idea what it is. Can you help me identify ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant you have is some kind of allium. Hard to say without seeing any ...
growing begonias6/11/2011
  Q: i live in the naples area of florida and have hibuscus bushes in my yard that are blooming. they ...
  A: Do you know what kind of begonia you have? Most of them prefer diffused sunlight and some will do ...
Hydrangeas not blooming6/10/2011
  Q: I have a hydrangea plant in my yard. Last year and this year, it produced several great balls of ...
  A: Thanx for your question and follow up. It may just be that this is how the flower is supposed to ...
Snapdragons6/10/2011
  Q: I live in S. Texas (near Houston) in a patio home so have small growing area. Planted two beds of ...
  A: Thanx for your question and sorry I was late in answering. Snapdragons are perennials in your area ...
Sagina Subulata (Scotch Moss)6/10/2011
  Q: I saw an answer by you about Irish Moss on 8/7/2007 related to hot weather. My local Home Depot ...
  A: thanx for your question. My brother lives in Deltona and I am down there a lot. Nurseries continue ...
baby dogwood tree6/9/2011
  Q: there's no experts in the "trees" category and I figure if you've been gardening for over 20 years ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, I see Jim Hyland is on vacation until the end of the month so I will ...
moon plant6/8/2011
  Q: we dug up a couple of the moon plants and were not able to get the roots, will these plants survive ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you didn't get the roots, I doubt if these plants are going to reroot. ...
pruning hibiscus bushes6/6/2011
  Q: i live in the naples area of florida and have hibuscus bushes in my yard that are blooming. they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would prune in the early spring right before they start blooming ...
Lily of the Nile6/6/2011
  Q: I have six Lily of the Nile plants I bought about six weeks ago and planted in well drain soil. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Has it been very hot and dry, windy? If so, the plant needs to be watered ...
Datura6/5/2011
  Q: I have two mature Datura plants, both with the same obvious problem. The bases of the plants are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Are these wild datura or potted brugmansia which are closely related? In ...
Hydrangeas not blooming6/3/2011
  Q: I have a hydrangea plant in my yard. Last year and this year, it produced several great balls of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Did you look at the balls of flowers to see if anything was eating them? ...
flowers changing color5/31/2011
  Q: My columbine came up almost white--originals last year were blue/purple. If I plant new blue/purple ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are several possibilities as to why your plants are changing color. ...
wind damage5/27/2011
  Q: i have a few clematis plant in my garden,clematis pink,dr,ruppel,miss bateman,barbara dibley.We had ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best thing to do now for the plants is to keep them hydrated and ...
companion planting5/27/2011
  Q: Last year we planted 7 endless summer hydrangea around our 12ft octagon shape gazebo. I would like ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm not much of a garden planner. I can grow things and keep them growing ...
jumbo elephant ear bulbs slow to grow5/22/2011
  Q: I have been planting elephant ears in the Dallas,TX area for the past five years or so. I moved ...
  A: Thanx for your question. We've had excess rain up here too and with that comes cooler soils. With ...
Heart Vine5/19/2011
  Q: I am looking for a non flowering vine that grows from a potato like type bulb - the leaves are ...
  A: You can probably fine the air potato, cinnamon vine, yam on ebay or at this website ...
Identify Flower5/12/2011
  Q: This came up in my flower garden this year. What is it?
  A: Thanx for your question. I believe this plant is botanically, Leucojum aestivum or Summer Snowflake ...
italian heather5/11/2011
  Q: I live in ohio, closest city is dayton...can I grow my Italian Heather out side?? Thank You Janie
  A: Thanx for your question. You can grow Italian heather outside until it frosts. The plant is not ...
italian heather in zone 65/10/2011
  Q: I saw that you said that Italian heather should not be planted in the ground in zone 7 because of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Italian Heather, Erica ventricosa is only hardy down to about ...
about rubrum lily5/7/2011
  Q: I got a rubrum lily in a pot. I will plant it outside tomorrow. I am planning to plant it in a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Lilium speciosum var. 'rubrum' is hard to Zone 4 a. You don't need to ...
disease in perennials5/3/2011
  Q: I have a rhododendron that has light green spots all over the leaves but the leaves don't turn ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It looks like Azalea Lacebug damage. See link to Oregon State University ...
Possible damage to plants5/2/2011
  Q: Is TSP harmful to vegetation? ANSWER: Joseph, thanx for your question. I'm not sure what TSP is. ...
  A: Trisodium phosphate runoff is not good for the environment. It can cause algae blooms in waterways. ...
Flowering plant5/2/2011
  Q: Can you identify this flowering plant for me? ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You correctly identified the plant is erythrina. Coral tree is another ...
Flowering plant5/1/2011
  Q: Can you identify this flowering plant for me?
  A: Thanx for your question. This looks like some kind of anthurium. Where did you take the picture? ...
Heart Vine4/27/2011
  Q: I am looking for a non flowering vine that grows from a potato like type bulb - the leaves are ...
  A: It sounds like you may be talking about Dioscoria bulbifera, air potato vine. Let me know if this ...
Hardy hibiscus4/27/2011
  Q: I have just moved to a new home and would like to get a start from one of my hardy hibiscus from my ...
  A: Thanx four your question. Yes, the hardy hibiscus should still be dormant or at least somewhat. ...
transplanting a burning bush4/25/2011
  Q: I have two or three burning bushes in my front yard that I would like to transplant into my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, the best time to transplant burning bushes is in the early spring but ...
Transplanting question...4/25/2011
  Q: Mr. Alonzo, I've got a muscadine grape vine that's been planted about eight years. It's about four ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, this is a great time of year to move your muscadine grape plants. ...
sweet broom4/25/2011
  Q: i just bought a sweet broom for my front porch for awhile i planted it like it said i water it like ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Did you plant the sweet broom in a container/pot? It sounds to me like ...
growing a magnolia bush in Iowa4/21/2011
  Q: I live in SE Iowa, in a rural setting. I would very much like to plant a Magnolia bush but have been ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, I would agree with Magnolia stellata (star magnolia) as a ...
Weeping Redbud Tree4/19/2011
  Q: I have a weeping redbud tree that is about 2-3 years old. It's about 3-4 ft. tall. It has brown ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm not really a tree expert but we do have one here on Allexperts. If ...
Compost4/14/2011
  Q: The snow has melted recently and the perennials are coming up, so my question is: should i apply ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In my experience, I have found that daylilies rarely require any ...
Uncovering plants4/12/2011
  Q: I am hoping you can help me with a potential problem. I have a big planter that is full of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Take the bags off and just give the containers a good mulching of the ...
Flower Identification4/11/2011
  Q: Would you know the name of this wildflower. I live in St. Augustine, Florida and they are along the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This plant looks like spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis. Be careful, this ...
Finding Flower4/10/2011
  Q: I recently bought the Woman's Day Special Gardening and Outdoor Living magazine in a local store, ...
  A: Thanx for your question and your patience. I ended up buying an on-line copy of the magazine so I ...
transplanting lillies4/8/2011
  Q: Have about 30 Lillie plants that produce three to five flowers on several plants. The problem is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would let the lilies grow and bloom this season and then in the late ...
Mums4/3/2011
  Q: I planted mums (for the first time) last June and they bloomed beautifully. I was told not cut them ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Remove the mulch after the last frost and cut off all the old growth and ...
climbing perennial4/2/2011
  Q: what kind of climbing perennial can i grow along chain link fence that is safe for dogs and cats? I ...
  A: This question proved to be rather difficult for me. Some of the vines I thought would be harmless ...
Dianthus grows in different colors4/1/2011
  Q: I live in Central Florida, I picked up some Dianthus growing in my yard and planted it in potting ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I have two thoughts on this. One is that you have a hybrid plant going to ...
late june bloomers3/31/2011
  Q: I'm getting married in late June, in Wisconsin, next year and was planning on maybe growing my own ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Tulips and daffodils will not be blooming in late June even in Wisconsin. ...
Dylilies3/30/2011
  Q: Can you tell me if the daylily little business and red ruby stella are 2 different plants or the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As near as I can tell from my references, 'Little Business' was hybridized ...
zebra grass3/28/2011
  Q: I would like to split my zebra grass. When is the best time to do this?
  A: Thanx for your question. You can separate your zebra grass now. I would trim it down to the ground ...
Lilac (tree?) pruning3/26/2011
  Q: I bought a house with a purple lilac. I'm not sure how to best "prune" this tree. It's gawky and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I know what I would do to this shrub/tree but it may not be right because ...
calla lily3/25/2011
  Q: I just purchased my first calla lilly (white flower one). Do I have to plant it in the garden or ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, calla lilies are not hardy in zones cooler than 7 for ...
Columbine Origami3/25/2011
  Q: I bought an "Origami" Columbine at a garden store a few weeks ago. I did a little research online ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Many references indicate that cold treating Columbine (Aquilegia) seed ...
iris transplanting3/20/2011
  Q: Tom, My irises are just peaking out of the ground and we are still in boarderline spring weather ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If your soil is not frozen, go ahead and transplant now, otherwise, I ...
dying verbena3/16/2011
  Q: i live in southwest florida.i planted pink verbena that i purchased from a local garden center.they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Check the plant very closely to see if there are any pests or signs of ...
help with bougainvillea?3/13/2011
  Q: I fell in love with bougainvillea trees about a year ago when I saw some bougainvillea bonsais. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The bougainvillea is a lovely, thorny, woody vine native to tropical South ...
pruning3/11/2011
  Q: I live on Long Island, NY, and want to know when is the best time to prune my camellia and ...
  A: thanx for your question. The various types of hydrangeas have different pruning requirements. Here ...
rosemary3/9/2011
  Q: I have a rosemary plant approx 4 years old in my small herb plot. I want to keep it fairly small due ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Rosemary pruning can be done anytime during the spring or summer up until ...
blue iris reticulata care3/8/2011
  Q: I got a purple harmony mini iris (iris reticulata) small plastic pot as a gift in the month of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A lot of the potted, flowering spring bulbs you see in the store or ...
30 Year Old Rhododendrons Ailing3/8/2011
  Q: I am heartsick, I have 3 large Rhododendron Bushes in a Shady area of my property. They are over 30 ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you are seeing new leaves then the root ball of the plant is still ...
springtime tulips3/4/2011
  Q: I saw tulips on sale and wanted to know if i can plant them now as they are flowering, and if there ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, tulips should be planted in the fall. They need a cold period ...
stella seed3/4/2011
  Q: My neighbor gave me some seed and I was told they were stella de oro daylilly but then another ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Stella d'oro lilies (daylily) should be small, black seeds. The powdery, ...
Gardenia with frostbite2/28/2011
  Q: I saw your answer about the frozen gardenia. My question is slightly different. We had an ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Let's wait and see how much of the shrub was actually adversely affected by ...
Perennial Grass2/24/2011
  Q: I live in South Western Ontario and want to know if i can cut down my perennial grass this time of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would really wait until mid to late March just to be on the safe side. ...
calla lily2/20/2011
  Q: Hope this was not sent twice, I apologize if it was. I bought a pot of calla lillies last year, they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Good luck with potted callas. They can be very difficult to get to come ...
Cape Honeysuckle Bushes2/18/2011
  Q: I have two large cape honeysuckle bushes that look quite dead this winter. I've lived in Henderson ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It sounds to me that they are just dormant. If you've got ...
clematis care2/17/2011
  Q: I live in Zone 6, most things grow well if the deer don't eat them. (And deer-proof plants? No ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Any rose or tomato food will work nicely for your clematis. You want a ...
removal of euonymus coloratus2/14/2011
  Q: How do I get rid of this vine so that i can plant grass? Will something kill it or do I have to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. How much of it do you have? If you just have a manageable amount, spot ...
Daylillies2/9/2011
  Q: I have a daylily bed that each year gets great greenery but NO blooms . Its in well drained soil, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Every three years, you must thin out your daylilies. Even though they may ...
hibiscus2/5/2011
  Q: I have a Hibiscus in my Garage waiting for spring. What do I need to do for it when it is time to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The hibiscus should really be exposed to light for about 8 hours a day. ...
Plant Identification2/4/2011
  Q: Tom, I just received an email saying that you had already answered my original question, when in ...
  A: Sorry about the mixup. I thought I answered the question. Must have gotten lost in cyberspace. ...
mystery plant that looks very familiar1/31/2011
  Q: I apologize. I just sent a message and a photo, without finishing the text. I am also sending a ...
  A: Sorry to take so long but we had a snocomotion here and although I missed a few days at work, was ...
Peonies in pots1/31/2011
  Q: I am being forced to move from my home and my 14 peonies. They are anywhere from 1 to 8 years old. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can grow peonies in containers. I recommend 16-20" containers about ...
Company: Direct Gardening1/13/2011
  Q: Would you be able to give me an opinion of a company called Direct Gardening? They boast low prices ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I haven't purchased any trees except fruit trees from mail order ...
Company: Direct Gardening1/12/2011
  Q: Would you be able to give me an opinion of a company called Direct Gardening? They boast low prices ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm kind of leary about making recommendations or putting the kabosh on ...
weeds in ground cover1/12/2011
  Q: I planted ground cover last spring which is spreading quite nicely. I even planted it by poking ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Treflan® is a pre-emergent for grass and broadleafed weeds. I do not ...
weeds in ground cover1/12/2011
  Q: I planted ground cover last spring which is spreading quite nicely. I even planted it by poking ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can use Preen® which will prevent ungerminated seeds of weeds from ...
Poinsettia leaf dropping1/9/2011
  Q: I got 2 plants of poinsettias, both in 4 inch pots, in December. They were indoor with room ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Poinsettias will benefit from bright light and watering once a week in a ...
lily look1/5/2011
  Q: I received the plant for Christmas. I bloomed for about a week. Then all the blooms dried up and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Without knowing what you have, I really can't tell you what to do or if ...
rohdea japonica, leaf disease1/4/2011
  Q: I have grown rohdea in several varieties for several years. I have a perpetual problem however with ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I saw the picture of the plant. Everything I have read has ...
holly1/3/2011
  Q: could you please give me some names for male and female holly i want to make sure i get b erries and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Blue Princess is a female holly, Golden Queen (believe it or not!) is a ...
rohdea japonica, leaf disease12/30/2010
  Q: I have grown rohdea in several varieties for several years. I have a perpetual problem however with ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sorry to take so long in getting back to you. I should have put myself in ...
Replanting Tiger Lillies11/30/2010
  Q: I have a question about replanting Tiger Lillies. They are my favorite flower. We had them ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. You can do one of two things. 1. Store the pots in an ...
Lilac11/26/2010
  Q: I live in zone 8. I have a lilac (appx 7 yrs old) I wish to transplant. Is fall a good time, and can ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, the fall is the best time to transplant and now is a good time in ...
Care for Hibiscus Plant11/24/2010
  Q: Does the plant need to be pruned and if so when?
  A: Thanx for your queston. Which kind of hibiscus do you have? Tropical or hardy? The hardy hibiscus ...
Pie Plate hibiscus11/20/2010
  Q: I plant my first pie plate hibiscus this year and now am not sure how to get it ready for winter. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Cut the plant down to the ground, discard to old material and mulch the ...
Bougainvillea in Arizona11/18/2010
  Q: I have black fingers but recently moved to AZ from SC and am desperate to have some color in my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I used to live in the Phoenix/Glendale area many years ago. What part of ...
Daisy Mums11/16/2010
  Q: I have been doing some volunteer gardening in my community since last spring. Now it is November and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I always recommend pruning perennials down to the ground at the onset of ...
Mums11/16/2010
  Q: I planted mums back in late June. The plant was small at the time I planted them, but they became ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would definitely cut them back to the ground after they succumb to the ...
clematis11/15/2010
  Q: I have two plants, one is very bushy and out of control, how much should I cut back and in NJ can I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Take a look at the link I have here for Ohio State University. There are ...
Amaryllis Bulbs11/8/2010
  Q: ok, I received a couple of amaryllis bulbs and did some research on them ,but, am confused...on one ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I've been growing amaryllis for years to brighten the house ...
Amaryllis Bulbs11/8/2010
  Q: ok, I received a couple of amaryllis bulbs and did some research on them ,but, am confused...on one ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I've been growing amaryllis for years and the only thing I've ever done is ...
Anthurium11/6/2010
  Q: I just read that an anthurium can be cut back. My plant is also getting leggy. The advice was to ...
  A: Sorry about that. You did ask about the cutting it back. I don't think I would cut all the leaves ...
Calla Lily Seed Pods11/1/2010
  Q: I live in New York where my Calla Lily's bloom during summer. We are just turning to our frost ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You need to allow the seed pods to dry so the seads are like dried peas. ...
Wintering lavender plants in pots10/31/2010
  Q: I have to grow plants on a deck now. I am successful during the summer, and have tried putting my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you will can shelter the pots from the cold north wind, this will help ...
winterizing planted hibiscus in Alabama10/31/2010
  Q: I have approx 10 exotic hibiscus planted in my yard that were beautiful all summer. Some have stalks ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you have a tropical hibisuces (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) it will not ...
acid loving plants10/30/2010
  Q: are astibes and asters acid loving plants?
  A: Most asters will do well in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils. Some asters will tolerate ...
chrysanthemum stems10/30/2010
  Q: Tom, I am concerned with some of my chrysanthemums. The stems have small black raised bumps on ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It does sound like scale to me. Use a mix of 1 part alcohol to 8 parts ...
Hybiscus Plants10/29/2010
  Q: I have two plants in planters that I need to store for the winter. I live in Kansas City, KS. I do ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First, allow me to extend my condolences to you on the loss of your ...
feeding my dwarf burning bush?10/28/2010
  Q: I live in lower Westchester County NY. I just purchased a Euonymus alata Compacta, aka ,Dwarf ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You should be able to get well-composted manure in bags from the DIY or ...
Anthurium10/28/2010
  Q: I just read that an anthurium can be cut back. My plant is also getting leggy. The advice was to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The crown of the plant is usually just below or poking out of the soil. ...
feeding my dwarf burning bush?10/26/2010
  Q: I live in lower Westchester County NY. I just purchased a Euonymus alata Compacta, aka ,Dwarf ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can side dress the dwarf burning bush now with a little well-composted ...
Black-eyed Susans10/25/2010
  Q: I have read the previous Q&A on "How to split up or thin out Black-eyed Susans." You had said they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. My advice about splitting perennials is very general. As long as there is ...
wintering container perennials10/25/2010
  Q: I live in Colorado and recently moved nearby. I dug up the perennials in my garden and put them in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you have an unheated basement, garage or shed, put the potted plants ...
keeping tulips alive10/25/2010
  Q: I'm getting married in may and we decided to do tulips in round vases wrapped around inside. we are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Where are you located in Canada? There are a number of varieties of ...
grasses10/24/2010
  Q: Is zebra grass a annual grass or will it come back? Can you have it in the ground?
  A: Thanx for your question zebra grass, Miscanthus sinensis is a perennial, ornamental grass, generally ...
Hibiscus10/24/2010
  Q: we recently bought a home, and someone previously had planted two hibiscus trees. One on each side ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The fall or early spring are the best times to transplant hibiscus. I ...
color & when to prune a rose of sharon10/23/2010
  Q: is there a RED ROSE OF SHRON?& when do you prune rose of sharon,s?
  A: Thanx for your question. There is a rose of sharon cultivar called 'Freedom' that appears to be ...
Identify 2 flowers10/17/2010
  Q: I have been keeping these alive by bringing them in every year under ultraviolet lights. We have had ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Both of the plants are purslanes which are annuals. These plants also ...
PG Hydrangea pruning10/16/2010
  Q: I have PG Hydrangea bushes outside our front door at our new house. I didn't know that's what they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Below is a link to a website I like that will tell you a lot of good ...
Michelias losing petals fast!10/14/2010
  Q: Thing is, the white petals are dropping off really quickly - they last maybe one day after they've ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I would imagine that all the rain and wind has aided in your ...
Lavendar10/14/2010
  Q: I planted a 1 gal spanish lavendar plant last fall. It grew like gang busters for a year - ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is hardy to Zone 8 so your zone ...
Wind, cold resistant plants for Florida10/14/2010
  Q: I have been trying to find tropical looking palms and plants for a large condo terrace. We have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here are some recommendations for cold-hardy palms for the Sarasota area: ...
Michelias losing petals fast!10/11/2010
  Q: Thing is, the white petals are dropping off really quickly - they last maybe one day after they've ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Where are you located? This plant has been reclassified as Magnolia ...
help with hydrangea10/11/2010
  Q: I have a potted hydrangea. I live in Atlanta, GA It bloomed big blue flowers earlier this year then ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Potted hydrangeas are difficult to propagate once their primary blooming ...
stella De Oro daylily10/10/2010
  Q: Yesterday I divided my daylilys. Wondering if I should cut them back to about 3 inches from the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I wouldn't cut the green leaves back until they start withering. The ...
winterizing potted plants10/7/2010
  Q: I have a number of young evergreen plants and many Althea young plants in i gal. plastic bags. What ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. You can store the althea (are these Hibiscus syriacus - Rose ...
bauginvillea10/4/2010
  Q: I have a bauginvillea in a pot that is in a lot of sun but it just gets taller and taller without ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Make sure you are not providing too much nitrogen to the plant. Too much ...
Broom plant and Butterfly bush10/3/2010
  Q: I have a really beautiful Broom plant that bloomed in May 2010, and through the summer was very ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In regard to the broom, prune off only the dead or dying branches and prune ...
butterfly bush9/28/2010
  Q: When we moved, we wanted to take our butterfly bush with us, but the new tenants wanted to keep it. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can cut the butterfly bush to about 1 or 2 feet above ground, dig up ...
hydrangea9/23/2010
  Q: Why do some of the leaves on my Hydrangea have brown around the edges and some very pale gree to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant probably needs some fertilizer. A good hydrangea food or ...
Rhodedendron & Water9/22/2010
  Q: I live in northern Illinois and have three rhododendron next to some annual begonias this year. Is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Did you check the soil? If the soil is muddy and does not appear to be ...
perennials that can hold up against dogs9/19/2010
  Q: I am going to be replacing grass with perennial beds in the median between my sidewalk and the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think the plants you have picked out are nice and tough. The lavender ...
Limelight Hydrangea9/19/2010
  Q: I live in Springfield, Missouri. I planted a Limelight Hydrangea Tree this spring, it has done ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As long as the plant is sitting on a rise and the ground continues to ...
Upright Perennial Hibiscus9/19/2010
  Q: I have two of these plants, one looks great, but the other has started getting dead limbs on it. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. When did you notice the limbs were dying on your hydrangea? Did you ...
Lily of the Nile9/18/2010
  Q: Now that fall is here, I am looking to keep my Lily of the Niles over the winter: Agapanthus ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best method I can recommend is to allow the plant to start to go ...
purple potted calla lily care9/16/2010
  Q: I got a purple calla lily pot as a gift in the month of September. It already had flowers, but ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like the plants may be going dormant in which case there ...
replanting existing lantana9/14/2010
  Q: I need to re-plant my 1 yr old "Irene" lantana as it has become to large and is blocking my view. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm going to assume you live in an area where lantana overwinters. If ...
Clematis flowering problem9/13/2010
  Q: I have Montana Rubens clematis in my front garden in England which is growing well over some bushes. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you are feeding your clematis, don't use any fertilizers high in ...
Honeysuckles in Colorado9/12/2010
  Q: I live in Parker, south of Denver in Colorado. I would like to trim my honeysuckle because this year ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It may do your honeysuckle well to be trimmed all the way down close to ...
hosta9/8/2010
  Q: before it turns to the cold what do i do with them do i cut them i am new to gardening also my black ...
  A: Thanx for your question. With the hostas, I wouldn't do anything with them. Once it gets cold, the ...
whisteria9/6/2010
  Q: i have noticed this year that there is runner bean like things growing from my wisteria, why is this ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The object you describe is a seed pod. I would remove it and throw it ...
peach tree9/4/2010
  Q: Last year we had 2 lovely peaches in its first year, this year nothing, we decided to take it fro ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I agree with your garden center. The plant is suffering from transplant ...
mexxican heather9/1/2010
  Q: I planted mexican heather in mid-july and they are turning brown one by one. because it is so hot I ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I'm sorry it has taken so long to get back. I've been a bit ...
Condition of Calla Lilly8/31/2010
  Q: I have 3 plants in my garden. Two are quite normal and one has strange pods at the end of stems ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you have seed pods at the end of your calla lilies. This ...
insect identification8/28/2010
  Q: I had 2 pots of trailing verbena transplanted from my yard. the leaves turned whitish and I cut it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I am not an insect expert or expert in entomology. However, we do have 4 ...
Red currant bush8/28/2010
  Q: I have to relocate this 6 foot tall bush as we have to expand our deck space to keep people from ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You won't be able to save all the roots but you can dig down about 18 ...
daffodil bulbs8/28/2010
  Q: I ordered 100 daffodil bulbs, but my priorities for the autumn have changed unexpectedly. What is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can keep the bulbs in the fridge as long as you don't have any apples ...
Pieris Japonica8/27/2010
  Q: I would like to move this pieris as our garden has expanded as trees were removed. It is about 6 ...
  A: Thanx for your question. To transplant Pieris japonica, I would severely trim it back to make it ...
Ground Covers and/or Grasses for Flagstone Joints8/26/2010
  Q: I recently laid some flagstone over Dallas, TX soil in my backyard. I'm trying to find a grass or ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant in the picture you asked after is a type of sedum. There are ...
winterizing a raised flowerbed8/25/2010
  Q: What is the best way to winterize my perennials in a raised flowerbed? It is 30" high with lilies , ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In the future, if you want to store bulbs, place them in some netted bags ...
mexxican heather8/22/2010
  Q: I planted mexican heather in mid-july and they are turning brown one by one. because it is so hot I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Mexican heather or Cuphea hyssopifolia is native to Mexico down to ...
Gardenias8/20/2010
  Q: I have a potted gardenia bush it is about 3 ft. high and is is partial shade it get early afternoon ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Chances are, your soil is alkaline. Most soils from Central Kansas to ...
liatris perennial8/20/2010
  Q: i have looked up how to propagate liatris and it says divide the bulb in the spring or save seed. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. After the liatris has bloomed and the blossoms have dried up, here is what ...
calalillies8/19/2010
  Q: I've planted calaa lilies for years...this year I changed the planting spot and only two bloomed out ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It might depend upon when you transplanted the rhizomes. If they were ...
phlox8/19/2010
  Q: live in zone 4-5, northern illinois, phlox plants in the yard grew well this year, but no flowers, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you're using a high nitrogen fertilizer, that could be preventing ...
Wisteria8/18/2010
  Q: We had a bit of a hot spell and our wisteria is about 3 years old has made it threw all kinds of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds quite possible that the unusually hot temperatures caused the ...
cant find the name of my blooming flower8/18/2010
  Q: I received some flower seeds and planted them in March. They started blooming in late July. I cant ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Is there any chance you can post a photograph of the flower and plant? ...
moving tree hydrandga8/15/2010
  Q: I have a tree hydrangea that has been established for 3 or maybe 4 years. We are going to enlarge ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would trim the shrub back to make it easier to handle but it's not ...
hydrangeas8/14/2010
  Q: I've never had trouble w/hydrangeas blooming. I have two plants, planted two years ago that won't ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Have you been pruning your hydrangeas? The best time to prune them is ...
stella de oro daylilies8/14/2010
  Q: two seasons ago I divided my plants because they were getting too big and blooming very little. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Usually, day lilies just need one season to recover from dividing but ...
Gardenias8/14/2010
  Q: I have a potted gardenia bush it is about 3 ft. high and is is partial shade it get early afternoon ...
  A: Thanx for your question. When transplanting a gardenia in bud, you will probably lose most of the ...
tulip bulbs, lillies8/13/2010
  Q: I know , or I think I know, that the best time to move bulbs and plants is in the fall, but I may be ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can move anything you want right now, just use the following tips. ...
Austrailian Tree Fern8/11/2010
  Q: I bought 2 Austrailan tree ferns this past Spring. The instruction tag on the plants said they ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I'm in the Kansas City area, so, I'm very familiar with your ...
Calla Lilies8/10/2010
  Q: We have tried planting those packages of multi color bulbs. When the flowers come up the 2nd year ...
  A: Thanx for your question. When you planted the calla lily rhizomes the first time, they were ...
Groundcover that doesn't attract bees8/8/2010
  Q: Can you advise me on a groundcover that won't attract bees? I'm in Southern California
  A: Thanx for your question. This was kind of a hard one for me because most of the ground covers seem ...
yellow bells8/4/2010
  Q: I live in the heart of tx, last yr was my first yr to put yellow bells in the ground. I cut them ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you're talking about Tecoma stans (yellow bells) common in the Southern ...
Stella D'oro From Seed7/30/2010
  Q: I read your answer to a question someone posted about starting Stella D'oro from seed. I would like ...
  A: Thanx for your question and thanx for using the search engine because it can be a lot of help. ...
Calla lilies7/26/2010
  Q: I live in MA and in May I planted beautiful bright yellow Calla lilies in my garden in full sun. By ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Usually, after the calla lily blooms the spathe (the yellow part) starts ...
flower?7/26/2010
  Q: This spring I had this plant come up in 4 different places in my flower beds. I have no idea what ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I see the liatris. The other plant looks like a weed that is a member of ...
winterizing a raised flowerbed7/26/2010
  Q: What is the best way to winterize my perennials in a raised flowerbed? It is 30" high with lilies , ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. In zone 3b, unless the plants are extremely hardy, they are ...
anemone bulbs7/25/2010
  Q: What is the best way to winterize my perennials in a raised flowerbed? It is 30" high with lilies , ...
  A: Yes, you may plant the anemones now just make sure they are hardy enough for your zone. Some ...
calla lilies7/23/2010
  Q: I continue to have wilting problems with the calla lilies I put them out in the ground, water them, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like the soil is not draining well. If the rhizomes are ...
double purple althea7/22/2010
  Q: What is the root system like on these plants? I planted mine next to a pool and was wondering if ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Hibiscus syriacus (althea) has a deep tap root and so I don't think there ...
acalypha curly green7/22/2010
  Q: What are good conditions for planting acalypha curly green i just bought. Space for width, height, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Acalypha wilkesiana 'Curly Green' is native to the South Pacific and hard ...
Stella diors7/22/2010
  Q: My stella's are very very healthy. The flowers came and were gorgeous!! My question is that after ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your gardener at the gold club is correct. The green things you describe ...
Fuschia / Hydrangea Disease - Help!7/21/2010
  Q: A couple of years ago my mother noticed that, come the new season and new growth, her fuschias ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Without pictures, it's not easy to come to a determination of what kind of ...
Coneflowers7/21/2010
  Q: MY coneflowers are about 20 years old they look terrible this year in St Louis, MO. They are dull ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Coneflowers are prairie flowers and tend to be very tough and resilient so ...
potato vine7/20/2010
  Q: I live in College Station, TX and have 4 Solanum jasminoides - Potato Vines. They are not growing ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The potato vine prefers full sun to partial shade with average water ...
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar7/20/2010
  Q: We have a few of these eating in our cemetery at Kimeo, Greenleaf.Kansas. They have striped some ...
  A: Thanx for your question. What you have is the cecropia moth which is not generally considered a ...
winterizing a raised flowerbed7/19/2010
  Q: What is the best way to winterize my perennials in a raised flowerbed? It is 30" high with lilies , ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It looks like you are in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. To winterize the ...
potato vine7/19/2010
  Q: I live in College Station, TX and have 4 Solanum jasminoides - Potato Vines. They are not growing ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Tell me a little bit about where the potato vines are growing. Are they ...
non-blooming lantana7/15/2010
  Q: I've always had lantana and it's always bloomed profusely. My lantana have lush foliage but it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Is your lantana getting fertilized? If so, you may want to cut back on ...
Whisteria7/14/2010
  Q: First what I'm calling Whisteria is a plant that puts out (feelers)Over 20 feet long over time,Likes ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you're describing wisteria. Here's a link to what the ...
Identifying a plant7/14/2010
  Q: I'm attaching pictures. The plant is about 8 ft tall and growing. Large fuzzy stem and two leaf ...
  A: Sorry it has taken so long but I have been looking for the name of this plant which I believe to be ...
1. Lenten Rose (christmas plant) 2. What is a good winter perennial for around a fountain pond7/12/2010
  Q: Live in Ft. Worth and love my garden. How can I get my Lenten rose plants to grow and spread? ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are several things you can do to enhance a winter look around your ...
Hydrangeas7/12/2010
  Q: I have many hydrangeas on my property. All are deep blue to purple. What can I do to get the Pink, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you have Nikko Blue or one of the other "blue" hydrangeas, these plants ...
Identifying a plant7/12/2010
  Q: I'm attaching pictures. The plant is about 8 ft tall and growing. Large fuzzy stem and two leaf ...
  A: Thanx for the additional pic. It looks like a weed that is very common around where I live. I ...
Identify this colorful plant7/11/2010
  Q: Attached are pictures of a colorful plant. It's leaves are swordlike in clusters like an iris but ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant looks like Crocosmia, maybe the 'Lucifer' cultivar. Crocosmia ...
azalea name7/11/2010
  Q: My brother has three azaleas that I want to locate its name to purchase him another one which died. ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. There are a series of azaleas called Yaye. Yaye White, ...
Tiger Lilly (Lilium Tigrinum)7/11/2010
  Q: Greetings, Seven years ago we moved residence and I took one Tiger Lilly with me. Now I have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Lilium tigrinum/Lilium lancifolium is known to be a probably carrier of a ...
moon flower(shrub type)7/10/2010
  Q: Ive started alot of moonflowers from seeds. there growing very good, there all in pots for now, but ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You probably need to feed the plants. Potted plants lose nutrition very ...
Potted plants7/10/2010
  Q: I have a four shelf little greenhouse inside that is covered with plastic. I have grow lights on ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Usually, after a seedling or cutting has a second set of leaves, it has an ...
Trying to find a name7/10/2010
  Q: My mom has had this plant for about 10 years and we still havent been able to find a name for it. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Although I have some houseplants, I'm not at all an expert at them. I ...
azalea name7/10/2010
  Q: My brother has three azaleas that I want to locate its name to purchase him another one which died. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Where are you located? The reason I'm asking, if I don't find it by the ...
Asian Lilies7/10/2010
  Q: When is the best time to thin out asian lilies? Mine are getting too thick.
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to thin your Asian lilies would be in the fall, after the ...
tiger lillies7/7/2010
  Q: Any clue why the leaves of my tiger lilies are yellowing? The deer did a nice job on the flowers, ...
  A: Thanx for the additionaly information. I should have asked. Lack of water is definitely a ...
Stella Lily7/7/2010
  Q: My stellas have already bloomed this season, and now have a nickel sized ball at the top of the each ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The objects you speak of at the top of the stems of your stella d'oros are ...
tiger lillies7/6/2010
  Q: Any clue why the leaves of my tiger lilies are yellowing? The deer did a nice job on the flowers, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. My guess is that once the flowers are eaten, the plant will not rebloom if ...
Butterfly Bush7/6/2010
  Q: In your last reply you asked when I planted my bush and I planted it in early spring. I had removed ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I asked about when you planted the shrub because oftentimes, ...
gladolia7/6/2010
  Q: I live in zone 6, do i have to dig my gladolia bulbs and dry them every year? If so, when do I dig ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Gladioli (plural for gladiolus) are not reliably hardy in zones colder ...
Butterfly Bush7/5/2010
  Q: My Buttery-fly bush was doing great until the last two days we having been having a lot of rain and ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. In my previous response, I should have said that too much ...
watering7/5/2010
  Q: In Indiana when it's hot and dry what is the best time on the day to water my flowers and yard to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time is in the morning before it gets too hot. Water at the base ...
climatis7/5/2010
  Q: Something is eating on my clamitis. I've tried several sprays but none even slow them down?
  A: Thanx for your question. Can you be a bit more descriptive please in what is going on with the ...
butterfly bush7/4/2010
  Q: It looks like something is eating the leaves. I don't see any insects under the leaves. Also I don't ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Insects that eat plants don't always hang around like aphids and others ...
Butterfly Bush7/3/2010
  Q: My Buttery-fly bush was doing great until the last two days we having been having a lot of rain and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't think you're going to lose it unless it has some kind of disease. ...
hardy hibiscus7/3/2010
  Q: Can hardy hibiscus be separated?
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can separate the hardy hibiscus. Dig it up in the fall and ...
gladiolus7/2/2010
  Q: If you DO live in an area where glad corms are unlikely to freeze, what can you expect from them in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The corms will get larger the longer they are left in the ground. This ...
Calla Lily7/1/2010
  Q: I have several calla lilies in my flower beds. This year, 2 of them have had 1 bloom each. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There is some kind of nutrient your plants are not getting. Use a 5-10-10 ...
flowers6/30/2010
  Q: I live in Indiana and we've had allot of rain just, for info. My hibiscus leaves are turning yellow ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The short answer is yes. Too much humidity and dampness will cause black ...
Asiatic lily6/29/2010
  Q: I live in Arizona and currently the temperatures are around 110 degrees. I have a few Asiatic lily ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The lilies are probably turning brown because of lack of water but they ...
english holly bushes6/28/2010
  Q: I need to know how to prune our holly bushes, what shape,how high should they be. They produce ...
  A: Crabtree, Thanx for your question. I found a nice article on pruning English hollies in Fine ...
magnolia bush6/27/2010
  Q: CAN I TRIM A MAGNOLIA BUSH AND IF SO, WHEN CAN I DO IT? IT BLOOMS FIRST AND THEN GETS LEAVES.
  A: Thanx for your question. The standard answer for pruning of blooming shrubs is right after the ...
Calla Lilly6/26/2010
  Q: I have several calla lillys and they have flowered this year but only for about a week and now the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your calla lily has finished blooming and is producing a ...
calla lilies6/24/2010
  Q: I bought a calla lily plant when it was blooming. After a week or so the flowers were droopy even ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Once the calla lily flower has withered a seed pod may form. I think ...
Lily of the Nile Yellowing Leaves6/24/2010
  Q: The leaves of my Lily of The Niles are turning yellow. What could this be caused from?
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons the leaves of the Lily of the Nile ...
Border Help6/23/2010
  Q: I have a border of about 6'(L) x 1.5' next to my garage. It gets partial shade, which I have had ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Hostas come in a great variety of leaf patterns, leaf colors and even ...
peonies6/23/2010
  Q: After the plant has dropped it's blooms there are several large "seeds" exposed where the blooms ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Some peonies can be propagated from seeds. Here is a link I think you ...
foxglove maintenence6/23/2010
  Q: I live in Mo., and have several foxglove in my yard. They were doing great, but after all the rain ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Perennial foxglove will start some new growth around the crown of the ...
Tree Peony6/23/2010
  Q: My tree peony has finally started to grow well and has bloomed (1 beautiful huge flower!)for the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, it sounds like seeds. It isn't so much that it is difficult to ...
Moving clematis6/23/2010
  Q: Is it okay to dig up a clematis that is starting to bloom and transplant to another spot a few feet ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to move perennial plants is in the early spring or early ...
tree ferns6/22/2010
  Q: i have 3 dicksonian Antarctica tree ferns which i have had for 11 years. after this years bad winter ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yours is the second or third question I've received from the UK regarding ...
cala lily's6/17/2010
  Q: I have many cala lily plants which are doing great, the flowers are beautiful and after awhile they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As the calla lily fades, it will start to turn yellow and close up while ...
my wisteria plant6/17/2010
  Q: 2 years ago we planted a wisteria plant it had a few flowers on when we bought it. Since then it had ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Wisterias need to be heavily pruned and fed in order to get the profuse ...
wintering pond cannas6/17/2010
  Q: I have a small pond with a basket of 2 cannas. I know it's early, but I want to plan ahead. How do I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can overwinter them anywhere where the temp is above 40°F (4.4°C) and ...
Periwinkle wilting6/16/2010
  Q: I have some periwinkles that were growing fine, but all of a sudden, some are yellowing and others ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. It sounds like your periwinkles ...
Rose of Sharon6/15/2010
  Q: My Double Purple Rose of Sharon has white edges around the leaves. The plant is blooming and seems ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Tip burning can be the result of too much fertilizer, particularly ...
transplanted rose of sharron6/14/2010
  Q: i recently transplanted 2 rose of sharron, both fairly big 7ft and 5 ft tall from the side of my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It's very common for a large tree or shrub to experience shock at being ...
Knockout Roses6/13/2010
  Q: My roses have seemed to have burned up. I had to repot them and I added some miracle grow but may ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Pot-grown plants need water every day, especially in hot, dry climates. ...
Tiger lily6/13/2010
  Q: My tiger lillies are 6 fee tall is there a way to grow them 3 ft tall?
  A: Thanx for your question. It is natural for tiger lilies to grow 6feet tall. That means they are ...
Encore Azaleas6/12/2010
  Q: I live in Oklahoma & my sons purchased 5 beautiful Encore Azaleas for me last year on Mother's Day, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you are pruning the plants be careful when you prune. Do so, if you ...
Rose of Sharon6/11/2010
  Q: We recently had large hail in our area in OK. My Rose of Sharon took a pretty good beating. I have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Unfortunately, the broken branch of your shrub cannot be used as a cutting ...
Ranunculus6/9/2010
  Q: I just sent a question about calla and then remembered that I am not so good at getting my ranunculi ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I've planted ranunculi before and not had much luck but I did have a few ...
You're too smart. Thanks on 'callas'6/9/2010
  Q: And thank-you. I am not a bad gardener, I must say, but until I cam across your 'don't fertilize ...
  A: Thanx for your question. USDA does classify Edmonton as Hardiness Zone 3A. There is a map which ...
ASIATIC LILIES6/9/2010
  Q: ARE ASIATIC LILIES PERENNIALS? CAN I PLANT THE PLANTS IN MY GARDEN AND THEY WILL COME UP AGAIN NEXT ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Asiatic lilies are perennial from USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10. Make sure ...
Troubleshooting Liriope6/8/2010
  Q: We have green and variegated liriope in a bed facing east. The plants all started the season doing ...
  A: What exactly are you looking for? It sounds like the beds get sun for most of the day. It sounds ...
how to get rid of weeds in juniper ground covering6/8/2010
  Q: How can I safely get rid of weeds in juniper ground covering? We have a large hill and the juniper ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can put Preen in the bare spots until the juniper takes over ...
Preen and Star Jasmine6/8/2010
  Q: I should havee done some research about Preen. I used Preen Weed Preventer surrounding my Star ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Preen does not affect perennial plants or plants that are already growing. ...
anthurium6/8/2010
  Q: A friend gave me a anthurium as a gift 2 years ago. Leaves are turning brown on the tips and no ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Feed the plant a 12-12-12 balanced fertilizer according to the directions ...
Troubleshooting Liriope6/7/2010
  Q: We have green and variegated liriope in a bed facing east. The plants all started the season doing ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a link to the Calvert County Maryland Extension Office. They ...
hibiscus6/7/2010
  Q: I moved my plants outside after the winter and at first they got a couple buds. 3 on one plant and 1 ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you're talking about tropical hibiscus, sometimes it can take a while ...
Japanese Lilac Tree6/6/2010
  Q: My tree is about five years old.It has alot of bare branches.The flowers are beautiful and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your tree must have suffered some kind of damage. I don't think it was ...
Crape Myrtles (yellowing leaves)6/5/2010
  Q: My crape myrtle leaves have started to get yellow. There are still green leaves, but many are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Has it been raining a lot and does the soil drain well? "Wet feet" can ...
Double Purple Althea Tree Form6/5/2010
  Q: I have two small (4'-5') double purple Althea trees that I would like to plant in huge tree vase ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The pots would be fine but remember, they still have to be shielded from ...
stella doro seed6/5/2010
  Q: I cut open a seed pod and put the seed in my hand and now have a burning feeling in the palm of my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I have handled all kinds of day lily seed pods and seeds and never run ...
Troubleshooting Liriope6/4/2010
  Q: We have green and variegated liriope in a bed facing east. The plants all started the season doing ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you may have leaf and crown rot which attacks the green ...
Zone6/4/2010
  Q: I have been trying to identify that climate zone that I live in and I have been getting mixed ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would say you are more in Zone 9b than 10 which is more likely along the ...
honeysuckle budding dried flowers?6/3/2010
  Q: I have a honeysuckly in a container garden. It was lovely and growing last year and then this spring ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Where are you located? Why is the honeysuckle being grown in a bucket? ...
Planting perennials6/2/2010
  Q: Is it okay to plant perennial seeds now? How long before they bloom? I want to plant many different ...
  A: Thanx for your question. June is a good month to plant perennial seed. Many people start perennial ...
rooting6/2/2010
  Q: Hey Tom, Its me again...I have several different types of plants and flowers in my Mississippi ...
  A: The plants I indicated you could root with water are an either or. Usually, the root powder works ...
ivy and brick houses6/1/2010
  Q: Is there an ivy that I could plant next to my solid brick house, so it would climb up the side? ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Ivy doesn't normally harm brick or mortar unless the mortar is already ...
Seed Pods6/1/2010
  Q: To promote more flowering, is it helpful to remove the seed pod after the bloom? Or just let nature ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Unless you are saving seeds, many plants benefit from having the flowers ...
Please ID6/1/2010
  Q: Many thanks for your assistance. I live in north-central Massachusetts. When I bought the home I ...
  A: Thanx for your question and the picture. The plant looks like a weigela bush. These shrubs will ...
plant suggestion for full sun5/31/2010
  Q: Can you please suggest a broad leafed palm type, jungle looking plant, frost resistant approximately ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Saw palmettos, European fan palms and dwarf palmettos are all relatively ...
allium flowers5/31/2010
  Q: I have two allium(sp?)k826v flowers that I planted last year, which bloomed beautifully. This year ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Alliums benefit from fertilizers that are higher in phosphorus and ...
roses/rabbits5/30/2010
  Q: Do rabbits eat carpet roses? They haven't touched my regular roses-but they are close to the house.I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Rabbits, like deer, will munch on anything. We have a lot of rabbits in ...
corkscrew vine5/29/2010
  Q: Since this plant is a vine, can I trim it off when it reaches the top of the trellis and will it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, if you prune the corkscrew vine (Vigna caracalla) it will send out ...
Rose of Sharon5/28/2010
  Q: My Double Purple Rose of Sharon has white edges around the leaves. The plant is blooming and seems ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't think there's anything wrong with your plant. Sometimes in hot ...
rooting5/27/2010
  Q: Hey Tom, Its me again...I have several different types of plants and flowers in my Mississippi ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Vinca and impatiens can be started from cuttings but impatiens rot easily ...
clematis5/26/2010
  Q: I have a clematis plant that is 1 year old. In spring it flowered beautifully (I live in North ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't know that the treatment with the Miracle Grow necessarily caused ...
Bougainvillea not flowering anymore5/26/2010
  Q: For almost 15 years my bougainvillea has been filled with flowers year round - we live in Florida ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Give your plant some time. It is recovering from being cut back. If it ...
columbine5/25/2010
  Q: Last summer I redid a flower bed into a rain garden. I transplanted three columbine onto the rim of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like columbine sawfly larvae and if they find your other ...
Want to identify this flower5/24/2010
  Q: My husband's grandparents have this beautiful flower at their house in Ark City, KS. I would love ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It would really help if I could see the entire plant. If ...
perennial crysanthemums5/24/2010
  Q: Have a great perennial 'mum (not all are perennial, right?) It is mature at about 18" and has a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you want to let your plant bloom now, you should deadhead it after each ...
stella dores5/23/2010
  Q: why do the leaves at bottom of plant turn yellow?
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons for the bottom leaves of the Stella d'oro ...
long island daisy's5/23/2010
  Q: I have question about when to prune long island daisies before they bloom for summer?
  A: Thanx for your question. From what I can gather, Long Island Daisies are also referred to as ...
Begonias5/23/2010
  Q: Are Angel wing begonias a larger variety of begonias and can they be grown in full sun?
  A: Thanx for your question. Angel wing is a term used for several types of begonias. Here's a link to ...
lantanas / tall zinnias and gladiolus5/22/2010
  Q: I have 3 kinds of flowers that i have questions about. 1)I was wondering why my lantanas are coming ...
  A: Thanx for your question. 1. When you cut your lantanas back a few weeks ago, this is going to ...
Want to identify this flower5/22/2010
  Q: My husband's grandparents have this beautiful flower at their house in Ark City, KS. I would love ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This looks like Crinum lineare, a native of South Africa or some other ...
wisteria not flowering5/22/2010
  Q: I have a wisteria plant that we purchased 2 years ago. It grows wonderfully and has many shoots ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It may take 3 or more years for a wisteria to begin blooming once it has ...
what to plant in a west/south facing wet area5/22/2010
  Q: i live in dallas and i would like to plant some flowering plants in an area where it gets late ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would plant cannas, calla lilies (the large white ones are the ...
Amaryllis5/21/2010
  Q: A friend gave me 2 small amaryllis bulbs from a plant that was finished blooming. Is it too late to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Go ahead and plant your amaryllis bulbs in separate pots. They'll ...
Care of Iris and Lilacs after blooming5/21/2010
  Q: Should the lilac flowers be trimmed off the bush after blooming? Is there anything that should be ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can deadhead the lilac flowers to make your shrub look neater if you ...
perennial calla lilies5/21/2010
  Q: Just bought a perennial (says on the tag: perennial - comes back year after year) from Walmart. I ...
  A: Paul, I totally agree with you. A lot of the plant growers are giant corporations that answer to ...
asian lily5/19/2010
  Q: I recently bought an asian lily which I did not plant into the ground yet. The pot it was in fell ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would go ahead and plant the bulbs now and let nature take its course. ...
honeysuckle cape5/19/2010
  Q: my kids just bought a honeysucle cape for me and i was doing searh for its care, when i came across ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Cape honeysuckle, Tecoma capensis is not hardy to your Zone 8, Dallas ...
Peonies w/blackening curling leaves5/19/2010
  Q: My peonies are at least 12 years old and usually bloom well. (They were mature when we bought the ...
  A: thanx for your question. It sounds like your plant is experiencing some fungal attack. This is ...
bougainvillea5/19/2010
  Q: I was reading another ? about bougainvillea--I bought one today and was planning on planting it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Bougainvillea are only hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11 which would be ...
Hydrangeas5/17/2010
  Q: I have a dozen hydrangeas along the south side of my property and they receive sun most of the day. ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I believe the problem is your pruning. Your pruning too ...
perennial calla lilies5/17/2010
  Q: Just bought a perennial (says on the tag: perennial - comes back year after year) from Walmart. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Unfortunately, calla lilies are not hardy in your Northern Illinois ...
Calla Lillies5/17/2010
  Q: I just recently purchased a pot of beautiful dark plum callas and didn't realize that these aren't ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. Please don't be sorry for asking questions. That's what we are here for ...
wooden flower boxes5/16/2010
  Q: I made 2 wooden window flower boxes out of poplar and was wondering if sealing or staining the wood ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The only issue I would have with the boxes is if they don't allow for ...
daylily not blooming (hermerocallis, Fregrat Treasure)5/16/2010
  Q: I have four Hemerocallis "fragrant Treasure" daylily that are plant along my driveway. For the first ...
  A: Thanx for your question. One of the main reasons daylilies slow down and/or stop blooming is ...
Tall Phlox - David5/14/2010
  Q: On occasion in past years I've had some powdery mildew but otherwise the Phlox have been very ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Unfortunately nematode controls are highly toxic and usually recommended ...
Italian Heather5/14/2010
  Q: I just recieved one for Mothers Day. I wasn't sure how to take care of it. I live in Zone 5 So,I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The Italian Heather, Erica ventricosa is a specialty plant, grown in cool ...
Yellow Canna5/13/2010
  Q: I recently bought cannas for the first time. I have been getting beautiful blooms, and many. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I generally don't bother much with trimming cannas unless there is a ...
Encore Azaleas5/13/2010
  Q: as I'm sure this is a very busy time for these questions! I live in Oklahoma, and I believe in ...
  A: Thanx for you question. No question is stupid, so please feel free to ask whatever you want. If ...
calla lillies5/13/2010
  Q: We repotted our multicolor cala lillies and the leaves fell out of the soil after the flowers died ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The calla lilies are going dormant in my estimation. In your SW Florida ...
Erica Ventricosa Italian Heather5/12/2010
  Q: I just got this beautiful plant and saw a lot of information on line and the hanger that came with ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I hope to be coming to Sacramento in August to go canoing down the ...
Encore Azaleas5/12/2010
  Q: as I'm sure this is a very busy time for these questions! I live in Oklahoma, and I believe in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm in Kansas, so I totally understand the unpredictable weather. I hope ...
Italian Heather5/11/2010
  Q: I received a Pixie Pink Italian Heather for Mother's Day (sound familiar?). We are in North Coastal ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can plant the Pixie Pink Italian Heather but I'll tell you like I tell ...
Lillies Where did mine go and when to divide?5/11/2010
  Q: I recently did some work in my father's lilly bed. He is no longer alive, and I continued to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Please accept my condolences on the passing of your father. Plants that ...
weed be gone kills flowers5/9/2010
  Q: My husband sprayed weed be gone on our rocks by our flower beds, the wind was blowing and got on to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Weed-B-Gone usually kills what it touches. Sometimes, if one doesn't get ...
Mums5/7/2010
  Q: I was given some yellow, white and light purple mums for mothers day. Can I plant them outside for ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A lot of the mums people receive as gifts that were bought in grocery ...
clamatis5/7/2010
  Q: I bought a home 5 years ago with an active clamatis vine near the porch. For the first three years ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Make sure the planted section hasn't gotten shadier over the ...
ITALIAN HEATHER5/6/2010
  Q: I JUST PURCHASED THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANT AND I MADA A FLOWER GARDEN. THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST PLANT TO ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I had previously answered a question on Italian heather from someone in ...
lillies5/5/2010
  Q: Do you remove the seed pods from the yellow Japanese lily? I think that is what it is at the end of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are two plants that have the name Japanese lily of which I know. ...
juniper5/2/2010
  Q: Unlike the gentlemen who wanted to save his juniper, I would like to get rid on my juniper. This ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like you'll need to locate the individual plants and just ...
Asiatic Lily5/1/2010
  Q: I purchased a few Asiatic Lilies and was told that they bloom till August. The blooms have died off ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Asiatic lilies are best grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 ...
It's alive! ...and has plans for complete yard domination.4/30/2010
  Q: I am so glad that I found someone to ask for advice. I live in Regina, Saskatchewan. I moved into a ...
  A: The plant you describe has been declared a noxious weed in many parts of the north and western ...
mexican heather4/29/2010
  Q: I live in Dallas Texas. I planted some new Mexican Heather last year in planter boxes. The other ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) is rated hardy to Zone 8a which is ...
Asiatic lilly4/29/2010
  Q: When the flowers begin to wilt, do you prune or cut the spent flower off. Will this in turn allow ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you allow the lily to form a seed pod, it takes more energy from the ...
perennial with a frost4/27/2010
  Q: Do I have to cover perinnials for a frost? Getting one tonight - a quick response would be ...
  A: thanx for your question. Sorry for getting back to you late. I forgot to put myself in ...
Tulips4/26/2010
  Q: I have a question about tulips. I am building a raised flower bed in a location that already houses ...
  A: Generally, hybrid tulips last about 5 or 6 years in what I call the mid-climates of the U.S. (Zones ...
It Is Imperative I Save This Plant!!!! HELP!4/26/2010
  Q: This past Easter I received a beautiful luscious plum colored "mini mum" from my dearest friend, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Please accept my condolences on the passing of your dearest friend Laura ...
potted aster4/26/2010
  Q: I got a blue aster from Home depot last week and the cold night weather hurt the plant/it wilted and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Look at the plant tab and make sure that the plant tab says the aster is ...
Asiatic Lily4/24/2010
  Q: My husband and I recently (approximately 3 weeks) planted several asiatic lilies which were full of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Did you buy your Asiatic lilies already potted up? If you did, most ...
yucca plants4/24/2010
  Q: How can I get my yucca to flower? My zone is Western NY, it is well established and about five years ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Four hours is not enough sunlight for a yucca. Yuccas require full sun ...
Lacecap Hydrangea4/23/2010
  Q: I am in the Seattle, Washington area. We had a very cold December and then an unusually warm Jan & ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sorry to get back so late to you. I have been on vacation and forgot to ...
Identifying a shrub4/19/2010
  Q: I bought a bush 3 years ago but sadly 'lost' it this winter.I would like to buy another but can't ...
  A: I'm sorry, but you have me stumped on this one. I refer you to Gil Borchardt here on Allexperts. ...
Man Ferns4/19/2010
  Q: My man fern is about 10 ft. high and I would like to know if I cut it down to about 5 ft. will the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Dicksonia antarctica or the Man Fern as you probably know is a tree fern ...
will they come back4/19/2010
  Q: My son inlaw stopped by to help me with my yard and oh my god he sprayed my flowers and plants with ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm so sorry to hear about your flowers and plants. Some of the weaker ...
Evergreen vine recommendations4/19/2010
  Q: We're putting a really inexpensive (i.e. UGLY) fence around our concrete patio to close dogs in/out. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) stays semi-evergreen here in my Kansas City ...
jasmine tree4/18/2010
  Q: Will a jasmine tree live even after frost bitten trunk still green when you scrap it but no leaves ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you're in a zone that's normally, relatively frost free (an occasional ...
Perennials4/17/2010
  Q: I live in Canada (I think I am Zone 5) and am wondering what are some perennials that I can plant in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. So, I can be specific, can you tell me in what city you live please? If ...
Killing Poison Ivy, but NOT my Peonies!!!4/16/2010
  Q: I am VERY allergic to poison ivy. I also have several 60+ year old peonies that my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I hate to be politically incorrect but I will anyway. Roundup. If I were ...
lavender plants4/15/2010
  Q: I have 6 lavender plants. ( i do not know what kind.) I live NW Indiana... my plants look like ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are two types of lavender I can think of that may not come back in ...
Yucca's4/14/2010
  Q: I have a couple yucca plant I would like to move. When is the best time to move them and is there ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, spring is the best time to move perennial plants. Bear in mind ...
mexican heather4/14/2010
  Q: I planted 5 mexican heathers in areas by the sidewalk. They look good until winter. Then they die ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The only thing I can think of that would make them die back now would be a ...
Red twig dogwood4/12/2010
  Q: I live in South-east Wisconsin and have three red twig dog wood plants that are planted next to each ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you have an infestation of armored scale on your red twig ...
Black Dots4/12/2010
  Q: Mr. Alonzo, I live in NYC and have an amazing but crowded 2nd fl garden. I have rose bushes, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I generally don't endorse any one product but I'll give you an idea of ...
Butterfly Bush4/12/2010
  Q: I would like to plant a butterly bush, but my landscaper says he can not get them here. We are not ...
  A: Thanx for your question. What is your location in Massachussetts? Most of Massachussetts is Zones ...
Black Dots4/12/2010
  Q: Mr. Alonzo, I live in NYC and have an amazing but crowded 2nd fl garden. I have rose bushes, ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It sounds like a form of scale which is a living pets that ...
Autumn Clematis4/11/2010
  Q: How do I split a Sweet Autumn Clematis. I live in Minnesota Thanks
  A: Thanx for your question. To separate Sweet Autumn Clematis, but the vine back to about 6 inches ...
Whisteria4/11/2010
  Q: We suddenly have wisteria on our fence line behind some azaleas. It is a single bloom and we would ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Keep your wisteria well pruned. Keep it under control and don't allow it ...
Bouganville in Tucson4/10/2010
  Q: I live in north Tucson, AZ and every time I plant a Bouganville it dies. Seeing that Tucson has ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Two things could be happening. First, do you live at an elevation where ...
ipomoea alba moon flower4/8/2010
  Q: We already have the white moon flower vine in our back yard. I drops A LOT of seeds which I'm now ...
  A: Thanx for your question. All parts of Ipomoea alba are poisonous. But the seeds of I. alba are ...
sweet autumn clematis transplant4/5/2010
  Q: I have a Sweet autumn clematis that is about 7 years old. Each fall I cut it down to the ground. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you're in the U.S., now is a good time to dig the plant up and ...
stella dora's4/4/2010
  Q: My stella doras are 3 years old and are getting bigger (tall and wider)each year. I want to control ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Now, in the early Spring would be fine. Also, at the end of the growing ...
Hedges4/4/2010
  Q: could you recomend fast growing trees for hedging in a small garden in Kent,England. thank you
  A: Thanx for your question. Have you thought of Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) or boxwood (Buxus). ...
stella dora's4/3/2010
  Q: My stella doras are 3 years old and are getting bigger (tall and wider)each year. I want to control ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Stella d'oro daylilies grow to 18-24 inches tall at the maximum. Don't ...
Sweet Broom Cytisus spachianus4/1/2010
  Q: I purchased one that was not in very good condition. Very dried out. The sold it to me for half ...
  A: Thanx for your quesstion. The first thing I do is, soak it in water overnight with some diluted ...
Perennials4/1/2010
  Q: I have a four shelf little greenhouse inside that is covered with plastic. I have grow lights on ...
  A: As far as the melons and cucumbers not transplanting well, they will transplant okay if you don't ...
snapdragons4/1/2010
  Q: why do some of the individual flowers on the same strand turn brown? we live SE of Houston, Tx.
  A: Thanx for your question. Have you looked at the plant to see if there are any tiny bugs on it? ...
magnolia bush3/31/2010
  Q: i planted this bush 3summers ago. each yr it gets bigger and lots of foilage but very few ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of varieties of magnolia bushes that bloom first and ...
Transplanting Roses in KS3/30/2010
  Q: I am moving from NC to Lawrence, KS this spring and am bringing my roses with me. They are a sturdy ...
  A: Welcome to Lawrence, Kansas, home of the Jayhawks and Kansas University. I live about 35 miles east ...
Perennials3/30/2010
  Q: I have a four shelf little greenhouse inside that is covered with plastic. I have grow lights on ...
  A: Thanx for the additional question. When putting your plants in the shade, they will need to be in ...
Azalea Bush3/30/2010
  Q: I received a pink flowering azalea bush for valentines day. It has a braided trunk and I'm assuming ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant you describe is a florist-grade plant and it is not meant to ...
tulips won't bloom3/29/2010
  Q: I planted tulips about 8 years ago and they bloomed beautifully the first 3 or 4 years then they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A lot of the hybrid tulips are only good for a few years and they ...
Growing from seed3/29/2010
  Q: I have a four shelf little greenhouse inside that is covered with plastic. I have grow lights on ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Cabbage can tolerate a lot of cold. Once the cabbage seedlings have ...
Calla Lily3/28/2010
  Q: I have no idea on how to take care of this Calla Lily as I have been getting conflicting advice from ...
  A: Thanx for your question. When you say the Central Valley of California, I'm assuming you mean ...
SUN OR SHADE3/26/2010
  Q: I WOULD LIKE TO PLANT SOME RHODIES AND AZALEAS, BUT THE ONLY PLACE I HAVE IS SUNNY MOST OF THE DAY. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sunlight should not be a problem for your azaleas and rhododendrons. ...
Low maintenance perrenials3/26/2010
  Q: Tom I live in Western Canada zone 2-very dry and clay soil. Not a great climate for growing. THe ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Here is a list of hardy plants for Zone 2. Butterwort ...
magnolia vine3/25/2010
  Q: I planted a magnolia vine 3 years ago. It is in part sun/shade and I live in zone 5. This vine has ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The magnolia vine is a dioecious plant. That means some of the vines are ...
free plants , bulbs , seeds for disabled in a home3/25/2010
  Q: YES I AM A RESIDENT IN A NURSING FACILITY AND THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL NOY GET US ANY FLOWERS (ANNUAL ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm sorry to hear that you can't get access to plants. I should like to ...
Calla lily leaves3/24/2010
  Q: So we just bought a condo last July and we had these big green leaves growing out of the bark. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The leaves of the calla lily gather energy from the sunlight to nourish ...
Hibiscus plant3/24/2010
  Q: Tom, I live in southern coastal GA & just purchased a "City Girl" Hibiscus. I want to plant it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I couldn't find 'City Girl' but I'm going to assume it's a cultivar of the ...
Calla Lillies3/24/2010
  Q: I have 4 calla lillies in my court yard that have flowered for the last 6 years. they are 3-4 feet ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your callas, after growing in one place for 6 years may have become ...
Mexican Heather3/22/2010
  Q: We live in Austin, Texas and want to plant Mexican Heather. How do we care for it over the winter? ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Mexican Heather or Cuphea is hardy to Zone 9a which is just a bit South of ...
outside plant3/19/2010
  Q: I have two plants which are very hardy year-round, and I think the casual name for them is "Spanish ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I believe you are talking about Yucca aloifolia. Here's a link to the ...
hibiscus problem3/17/2010
  Q: I have three tropical hibiscus trees. They were growing and flowering beautifully all summer, but I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It does sound to me like you have a fungal issue and one that is best ...
Cally lily color3/15/2010
  Q: I live in New Jersey I purchased a pot of red Callas lilies (Zentedeschia) in a supermarket in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your pot may have more than one rhizome in it which would have resulted in ...
clematis trellis3/15/2010
  Q: I want to construct a Clematis vine “wall” on one end of an elevated concrete patio. There is an ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. We grow clematis here in Zone5/6 in 12inch deep pots about 18 ...
new flower bed3/14/2010
  Q: I have a new raised flower bed approximately 30 ft by 4 ft, I live in the seattle washington area ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here are some suggestions for your perennial flower bed. Abutilon, ...
Rose of Sharon3/13/2010
  Q: Late last summer I picked up a Rose of Sharon on clearance at my local greenhouse. It had little ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The pods you reference are seed pods. Rose of Sharon can become a pest ...
whisteria3/11/2010
  Q: i live in manchester england, i bought a whisteria around two years ago , its around 6 feet tall ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First, make sure you are not feeding the wisteria with high nitrogen ...
Proper division of Stella D'oro daylilies3/10/2010
  Q: I have had my "stellas"approx.5 yrs..last year they were noticeable less blooms and rarely ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a link from Better Homes and Gardens that shows a video of a man ...
Root Systems of knock out roses3/8/2010
  Q: How deep and how invasive are the root systems of knock out roses? Can they be safely planted near a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sorry to take so long. It has been a busy week around here. Basically, ...
elephant ears3/8/2010
  Q: i live in n. west florida and had 6 beautifull elephant ear plants which got zapped this winter. i ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can trim off the dead leaves to clean the plant up and yes, I believe ...
Mexican Heather3/6/2010
  Q: I live in north suburban Houston. We have had a very cold Winter, with a five day/night period of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Give the Mexican Heather's a chance. They're probably ok, just shocked. ...
elephant ears3/6/2010
  Q: i live in n. west florida and had 6 beautifull elephant ear plants which got zapped this winter. i ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I used to live in Ft. Walton Beach many years ago. I grew a banana plant ...
procumbens nana juniper3/6/2010
  Q: I have a very old stand,about 30 years, of procumbens nana juniper that covers a bank in my yard. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This is really a question for our tree expert. I'm going to refer you to ...
Tulip Bulbs3/5/2010
  Q: I have a pot of tulips that were given to me as a gift. I wanted to plant the bulbs now that the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Unfortunately, tulips bought in the stores and florists that are already ...
weeds with spiky balls3/4/2010
  Q: I have a weed that looks like a grass and the seeds are many little balls that are about the size of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm not sure what the weed is but I frequently have trouble with bindweed ...
liriope spicata2/27/2010
  Q: I would like to try to plant an area of liriope (preferably spicata) from seed, to establish a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a link to someone selling liriope seeds. I have no experience ...
Carnations or Dianthus2/25/2010
  Q: I have some small carnations (or large dianthus) in my garden. Everything is starting to grow now. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I also want to say congratulations to Canada for a wonderful Olympics at ...
tomato plants2/25/2010
  Q: I started various plants from seed on 1/2/2010. I thought I would get a very early start. I will be ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you have a greenhouse or indoor lighting setup you're okay but in the ...
liriope berries2/25/2010
  Q: My friend just gave me a bunch of berries from her monkey grass. I want to start from seed /berry in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Liriope is Liriope muscari. Monkey grass is something different, ...
Pink Jasmine with dry curling leaves2/21/2010
  Q: I have a pink jasmine plant that I bought a year and a half ago. The plant was doing well through ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your jasmine has Leaf-blight (Cercospora jasminicola and ...
Whisteria2/17/2010
  Q: What can you tell me about Whisteria. A friend gave me a few branch slips, and a couple of pods to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Wisteria are easy to start from seed but the downside of this is it will ...
Peonies2/17/2010
  Q: How long does it take closed peony bulbs to open? And once opened how long can we expect the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm going to assume that you mean peony buds rather than bulbs because ...
moving perennials2/9/2010
  Q: I live in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. I will be moving sometime this month and would like to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Many people will caution you against moving plants in the dead of winter ...
Knock-out Roses2/5/2010
  Q: I live in South Central KY and I am wanting to plant Pink knock-out roses at the front of my porch. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Knockout roses were bred to be tough and a late February planting is ...
overgrown calla lilies2/2/2010
  Q: I live in southern California and I have three very large, white, calla lilies. They are doing too ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Is your calla bed getting bigger? The large white callas are Zantedeschia ...
Crotons2/1/2010
  Q: Do you know if the plants will come back. They look pretty bad. All their leaves have drooped and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think your crotons will come back. Give them a month or so to recover. ...
garden design1/31/2010
  Q: I have a 12 x 12 garden that tends to be fairly moist due to its drainage. Based on that, I want to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Blue flag, Siberian Iris, Yellow Flag, day lily, bee balm, horsetail, ...
Looking for small ground cover1/25/2010
  Q: I live in California, and zone 8.5, and just installed a retaining wall. It has the angles in each ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are over 400 different types of sedum and many are low growing and ...
Bouganvillas1/19/2010
  Q: Have a couple of bougies who seem to have been damaged by the lower than usual temps in central ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Between California's bad weather spells and Florida's bad weather spells, ...
ixoras1/16/2010
  Q: all the leaves ell off my ixora shrubs. i live in southwest florida (fort myers) and we just got ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This is the second Ixora question I've received in a week. The leaves fell ...
magnolia bushes1/13/2010
  Q: how do i care and feed magnolia bushes in my house ANSWER: Hi Barbara, Do you know what type of ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Are you sure it is a magnolia that you bought at the grocery ...
bougenbelia1/5/2010
  Q: I was removing a very large Bougenbelia and no doubt lost the argument with the thorns. The reaction ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Use gloves when handling your bougainvillea. The thorns, juice and sap are ...
poinsettias1/4/2010
  Q: how do you care for poinsettias,yucca elephantipes and cane plants?
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a good link from Ohio State University on Poinsettia care and the ...
gerbera disease1/3/2010
  Q: some day before , their leaves started to develop some white powder on them , so i treated them with ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in responding. Here in the Midwestern part of the USA we are climbing out of 25 ...
mycorrhizae1/2/2010
  Q: I garden on sandy soil and make my own compost. Is it worth it to buy mycorrihizae to add to the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I've never used mycorrhizae. Why not use composted horse or cow manure? ...
calalilly12/16/2009
  Q: My cala lilly leaves are turning yellow and falling off. Should it be re-potted in a larger ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Most likely, the plant is going dormant. Slow down watering and do not ...
cannas and livestock12/15/2009
  Q: We seem to have a knack for growing cannas and they really multiply---I would like to put them ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I did not find canna listed amongst the plants poisonous to livestock on ...
Best Species of Lavendar for Columbus, TX12/13/2009
  Q: I am looking at planting some lavendar but get overwhelmed by the number of different species ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I noticed you are between Austin and Houston so I hope this information ...
Daisy Tree Troubles12/12/2009
  Q: I live in the midwest & have a daisy tree. I have brought the tree in for winter & since I've ...
  A: Thanx for the question. Yes, during dormancy or semi-dormancy is the safest time to transplant. ...
Daisy Tree Troubles12/11/2009
  Q: I live in the midwest & have a daisy tree. I have brought the tree in for winter & since I've ...
  A: The issues you are describing are common amongst blooming tropical plants that must endure cold ...
Hardy hibiscus tree care12/6/2009
  Q: I have two hardy Hib. trees that I keep in large 1'1/2" depth. height and width. I live in Tennessee ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Are you certain that the trees you have are hardy hibiscus? Hardy ...
Russian Sage11/30/2009
  Q: Do I cut my Russian Sage back to the ground now or wait until early spring? It did not perform as I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you may cut them back now if you like. They can get kind of wild ...
purslane11/23/2009
  Q: I have purslane growing wild in my garden. It has rose colored flowers. Is it eatable? Mary Jo
  A: Thanx for your question. Purslane is becoming more and more popular in the U.S. It is eaten all ...
Double leafed call lily11/21/2009
  Q: I recently found a double leafed call lily - ie ; it had two white leaves instead of the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Plant breeders are constantly coming up with new varieties. This could be ...
Hibiscus disease?11/18/2009
  Q: and recently brought in a Hibiscus plant that resided outside during the summer into the house. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you have some kind of pest on the plant. Look on the ...
Grape Hyacinth11/16/2009
  Q: 11/16/09 I have just dug up a lot of Grape Hyacinth (all sizes) and want to save them for next years ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Put the bulbs in a place where they can dry off and then shake off the ...
Magnolia Trees11/10/2009
  Q: Hey Tom, We have a group of Magnolia Trees behind our pool. Two of the three started to lose leaves ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I agree with the arborist. I think the chemicals from the pool stressed ...
Mexican Heather11/7/2009
  Q: Oh, I had a beautiful Mexican Heather in a pot on my deck in Chicago, IL. I had planned on bringing ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Mexican heather has zero tolerance for frost. Bring the plant indoors and ...
winterizing Alstroemerias and climbing roses11/6/2009
  Q: This is my first year of gardening , and I must admit, I am quite pleased with my out come. I live ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can wait for your first frost to kill back the alstroemeria and then ...
hibiscus11/5/2009
  Q: are hibiscus perinnals ? a lady friend wants me to plant it outside and i am not sure if it can take ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Hibiscus are in fact, perennial. There is a hardy version called Hibiscus ...
butterfly bush deadheading11/4/2009
  Q: My bush is beautiful with its first blooms. As they turn brown and I cut them off there are two ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Anytime you deadhead a butterfly bush, you may prune the stem ...
brugmansia "Joli" bloom drop10/28/2009
  Q: I have a brugmansia [Angel Trumpet] that is producing blooms. I brought this one into the kitchen, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Brugmansia experience bud drop whenever they are stressed. Moving the ...
Zebra Plants/Shrubs10/28/2009
  Q: I have several Zebra plants in my backyard that I would like to relocate. When is the best time of ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Misicanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' is hardy from zones 5-9. If ...
Cordyline RedStars10/27/2009
  Q: but I wonder if the snow will crush their shape. Please help.
  A: Thanx for your question. Cordyline Red Star is only hardy to Zone 7. A few frosts probably won't ...
mums over winter10/26/2009
  Q: We recently received as a gift a pot of mums that came from a florist. We were told they could be ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, potted mums from the florist will not be hardy in SE Iowa. You ...
Mums Propagation10/26/2009
  Q: What do nurseries do to get their mums so perfect?
  A: Thanx for your question. Pinching back mums is very helpful in helping the mums achieve their best ...
Calli lily10/26/2009
  Q: Tom, I had a calli lily in a small pot for several years and over wintered them in the basement. It ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It will be okay to put the calla lily in the garage during it's dormancy ...
Moving Hibiscus plants indoors when weather becomes cold10/24/2009
  Q: I have several Hibiscus plants on my deck. I want to move them into my basement for the winter. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can treat your hibiscus with a horticultural soap which should remove ...
magnolia bush10/23/2009
  Q: I planted the bush on the east side of the house 2 years ago. It starts new growth and then begins ...
  A: Brown crunchy leaves sounds like maybe not enough water. Magnolias like a lot of moisture and ...
magnolia bush10/23/2009
  Q: I planted the bush on the east side of the house 2 years ago. It starts new growth and then begins ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. If this is a deciduous magnolia, one that loses its leaves ...
yucc PLANT10/22/2009
  Q: TOM, Sorry I forgot to include this question with my last question. We have a yucca plant that ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It sounds like it's just powdery mildew or some kind of ...
moving perennials10/22/2009
  Q: I have accumulated several perennials in my garden over the past three years. We are in the process ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As long as your soil does not freeze solid within the next 45 days, I ...
potted hardy hibiscus10/21/2009
  Q: I do have a hardy hibiscus of -30 below and I did plant it in a pot and it turned out beautiful, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you do not anticipate that the ground will freeze solid for the next ...
harvest time for asiatic lily pod10/20/2009
  Q: I am going to try to grow some Asiatic lilies from seed. I have found the process, but I'm not sure ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can bag the seed pods. Take a paper bag and tie it loosley around the ...
portulaca,sundial scarlet10/20/2009
  Q: i have my sundial scarlet in a pot.how do i care for them in the winter,and will they still get ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Portulaca is an annual commonly grown in the U.S. as a bedding plant. It ...
calla lilly10/20/2009
  Q: I got my first calla lilly this spring, and it looked gorgeous all summer! Now, the roots are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the roots to you calla lily are exposed, cover them with a couple ...
black-eyed susans10/17/2009
  Q: When getting my flowers bed ready for winter I noticed a bore had gotten into the stem of my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you have a stalk borer which occasionally infests Blackeyed ...
Gardinia Bush Car Indoor Winter Months10/17/2009
  Q: I've two new gardenia's bushes. They bloomed beautifully this past summer. Removed from garden into ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. Keep your gardenias in a window facing the East or South for best ...
straw flowers10/14/2009
  Q: Tom We've had straw flowers in a pot outside all summer-we live in Indiana- now my wife ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you're talking about Helichrysum which is the most common strawflower ...
Peruvian Lilies (Alstromeria)10/13/2009
  Q: I read your answer on how to winter over alstromeria in northern climates.... Mine are in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As long as the area does not freeze your alstroemerias should winter over. ...
hibiscus looses flower buds10/13/2009
  Q: The plants look very healthy but loose their flower buds before they open can you please advise me ...
  A: This site has good information about bud drop. ...
hydrangea10/12/2009
  Q: I planted a hydrangea four years ago. It was blooming when I planted it and it has not bloomed ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons why your hydrangea is not blooming. First, ...
Cordyline Austalis10/12/2009
  Q: Recently I noticed that 5 of the 6 cordylines on our deck have a sort of discoloration, i.e.,the ...
  A: Thanx for your help. Cordylines generally prefer full sun but will also grow in partial shade. The ...
Overwintering Canna's10/11/2009
  Q: Is it possible to simply bring the potted, trimmed back Canna into my 50 degree crawl space and let ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. If you are in a USDA Hardiness Zone cooler than Zone 7, your cannas ...
dinner plate hibiscus10/11/2009
  Q: My friends sons funeral is this Thurs. His favorite flower was the dinner plate hibiscus. Do you ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It is too late in the season (I believe) to find dinner plate hibiscus. ...
what to do with artemisia and blue butterfly delphinium in the winter10/11/2009
  Q: I live in Ohio and this is my first year growing artemisia I like the variegated leaves but it will ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As soon as the foliage withers, go ahead and cut the plants back to the ...
Perenniels10/7/2009
  Q: Rather than have to list all of the plants I have, which are many, could you just tell me which ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In general, most perennial plants can be cut back to the ground once the ...
perennials10/7/2009
  Q: I received potted Asters and they look dead. The flowers are all shriveled up. Did I just miss ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Asters are becoming popular fall plants like chrysanthemums. Sounds like ...
Zebra Plants/Shrubs10/7/2009
  Q: I have several Zebra plants in my backyard that I would like to relocate. When is the best time of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Look at the link and let me know if this is the zebra plant to which you ...
no flowers10/7/2009
  Q: we purchased potted bogies from a nursery with great flowers...planted them in the ground according ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It is common for flower and foliage to fall off of bougainvilleas when ...
hibiscus plants & Alstromeria for the winter10/6/2009
  Q: I put my Alstromeria with my hibiscus plants and they are in my garage do i keep watering them or do ...
  A: At 60°F, the plants won't go dormant. The hibiscus will go semi dormant but the alstroemeria will ...
Lambs Ear Perrenials10/6/2009
  Q: Should Lambs Ear plants be cut back in the fall?
  A: Thanx for your question. Remove the dead or wilting growth and make sure the plant is in soil that ...
Mums10/6/2009
  Q: This is only my second time trying to grow a flower garden and my first time for mums. I live in a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Just pinch off the blossoms once they have wilted and that should be fine. ...
blackeye susans10/5/2009
  Q: now its fall what do i do with my blackeyes they are not dead yet do i cut them now or wait i want ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the blackeyed Susans have finished blooming go ahead and cut them off a ...
plant I received as gift10/4/2009
  Q: I received some seeds from a friend. I was told they were called elephant plant. I planted them and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Please look at the link below and let me know if that is the plant. Do ...
Canna Lillies10/2/2009
  Q: Can I leave Canna Lillies in the ground over the winter? I live near Boise, ID. I plan on taking ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Cannas (which aren't lilies by the way.) must be lifted in zones colder ...
Creeping Juniper and Mondo Grass10/1/2009
  Q: My Creeping Juniper and Mondo Grass has grass invading them. I have sprayed weed killer where there ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Get some Roundup. Put on a pair of plastic gloves. Gently pour the Round ...
scotch broom10/1/2009
  Q: how do you prune a scotch broom? Ours has a lot of old wood at the bottom. Do I cut off the brooms. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Colorado State University has an excellent pamphlet on pruning flowering ...
lifting bulbs10/1/2009
  Q: I have always waited till after a frost to pull my calillies, cannas and dahlias. I am going away ...
  A: Thanx for the followup. I can only theorize that in my experience, exposing tropical or subtropical ...
lifting bulbs10/1/2009
  Q: I have always waited till after a frost to pull my calillies, cannas and dahlias. I am going away ...
  A: Thanx for your question. No, it will not harm the plants you mention if you cut the green growth ...
Gardenia Bush10/1/2009
  Q: I live in southeastern North Carolina and planted a gardenia bush around the middle of summer and am ...
  A: Thanx for your question. When your gardenia has finished blooming you may prune it if you must. ...
butterfly bush deadheading9/29/2009
  Q: My bush is beautiful with its first blooms. As they turn brown and I cut them off there are two ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm not sure what you're asking. Are you asking after preparing the shrub ...
trillium & dogwood9/28/2009
  Q: This probably isn't the typical question you would get but I'm having a hard time getting any help ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your idea of preserving provincial flowers sounds cool. Here's what I ...
Red Star Cordyline9/28/2009
  Q: I purchased 4 Red Star Cordyline plants and planted them in front of my house in Jeannette, PA. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Red Star Cordyline (Cordyline australis) is not rated hardy for ...
Transplanting a mature Dicksonia antarctica9/27/2009
  Q: I live in the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne Australia,the climate is cool temperate. The summers ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I can only recall one other question about this plant from a man in the ...
growing coneflower from seed9/26/2009
  Q: I live in central New Jersey by the shore and planted coneflower seeds this past spring. I have nice ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Coneflowers are typical of a lot of perennials that put out nice green ...
Bleeding Heart Bush - Root Bound9/23/2009
  Q: My mother has a "Bleeding Heart" bush that she was given over 15 years ago by my Brother who is now ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Bleeding heart is best divided in late summer to early fall (right now) so ...
Rose of Sharon9/22/2009
  Q: This past weekend (Sept. 19th 2009) I transplanted my Rose of Sharon. Upon replanting (I was not ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Don't worry about your Rose of Sharon. I think it will be fine. I would ...
winterizing a tropical hibiscus9/22/2009
  Q: I bought tubual grow lights. Any suggestions? Should I trim it back? When should I bring it ...
  A: Thanx for your questio. Tropical hibiscus can be successfully overwintered indoors. If you have a ...
Calla Lillies9/21/2009
  Q: I purchased a Calla Lilly Plant that was approx. 1 ft. high...planted in an area where it gets sun ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I visited Prince Edward Island in 2004 and it is truly a beautiful island ...
lirope seeds9/21/2009
  Q: Where can I purchase variegated lirope seeds ???
  A: Thanx for your question. There is usually someone on ebay with liriope seeds available. Here are ...
bogenvelia9/21/2009
  Q: can i bring in my bogenvelia for the winter? I live in minnesota. Do I prune it, what kind of light ...
  A: Thanx for the followup. Yes, you can bring the New Guinea Impatiens and the Elephant Ear Begonia in ...
Mums9/20/2009
  Q: I planted 5 individual mums last fall and this year they more than quadrupled their size. They look ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Apparently, your mums really like where they are growing. It is not ...
bogenvelia9/18/2009
  Q: can i bring in my bogenvelia for the winter? I live in minnesota. Do I prune it, what kind of light ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can and should bring the bougainvillea in for the winter. It ...
Native Plant Benefits9/18/2009
  Q: What are the benefits to planting only native plants? Do you know of any resource I could use to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Nowadays, many of us recognize the problems that certain plants that are ...
Summer Phlox9/17/2009
  Q: I am new to the gardening scene so I am not familiar with certain procedures. I've good some summer ...
  A: Thanx for you question. Now that it is autumn, by all means, cut back your phlox. In fact, before ...
SF bay area window planter box9/15/2009
  Q: i am not an experienced gardener, but wish to establish about 8 window planters on the outside of my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Violas or Johnny-Jump-Ups add nice color to a semi-shady window box along ...
similar to lambs ear but yellow flowers9/15/2009
  Q: can you tell me what it is,my wife volunteers at the herb garden in our city and brought home extra ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like verbascum. Here is a link to Google Images. You can look ...
Getting Rid of Daisies9/14/2009
  Q: A couple of years back I planted Shasta Daisies (or what I thought was Shasta daisies) and since ...
  A: Thanx for the followup. If you just bought ladybugs, we don't want to put Roundup down. I guess ...
seeds9/13/2009
  Q: I need to buy zebra grass and gold bar grass, but seeds, can you help me ? Where I buy it ? Thanks ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The gold bar grass is a hybrid that does not produce viable seed. You'll ...
Getting Rid of Daisies9/13/2009
  Q: A couple of years back I planted Shasta Daisies (or what I thought was Shasta daisies) and since ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The daisies, are there any other plants planted amongst them? If not, I ...
mums and hibiscus9/13/2009
  Q: mums - I purchased them at auction a week ago - no info - can i keep them in pots inside this ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Plant your mums now. Dig a hole slightly larger and deeper than the size ...
hibiscus tree wilting9/13/2009
  Q: My cousin was babysitting a hibiscus tree for a year until i moved because my parents didnt want it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sometimes it takes a long time for a plant to recover from the abuse this ...
What the heck is this9/10/2009
  Q: I live in Eastern Ontario, zone 4 or 5 and have some hybrid phlox plants that constantly get mildew. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. And thank you so much for the picture. It makes life so much easier when ...
Phlox won't flower9/10/2009
  Q: I live in Eastern Ontario, zone 4 or 5 and have some hybrid phlox plants that constantly get mildew. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Phlox have a big problem with powdery mildew. First, don't water them ...
Calla lilly9/10/2009
  Q: My calla lillys had minimum blooms this year, and I have noticed that the stamens are huge and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like your calla flower may have produced a seed pod. I ...
yellowsweetbroom9/9/2009
  Q: i've had this plant 20 years since i've been in this house it got about 8" tall and bushy every ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. There are some varieties of sweet broom the State of ...
wisteria seeds9/8/2009
  Q: i recently aquired some wisteria tree pods i was wondering how to plant them do i take the seeds ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the seed pods were picked green the seeds are probably not fully ...
peonies blight9/8/2009
  Q: Last year I had some dark spots and wilting on my peonies, so this year I was spraying them with a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of issues that could have contributed to the problem ...
yellowsweetbroom9/7/2009
  Q: i've had this plant 20 years since i've been in this house it got about 8" tall and bushy every ...
  A: Can you tell me your approximate location? There is an insect that attacks the yellow sweet broom. ...
Cala Lillies seed pod9/6/2009
  Q: I noticed in a reply to Shannon in 2007 you mentioned Cala's having "seed pods"? I was watering ...
  A: Thanx for your question and thank you for the clear picture of a calla lily seed pod. Allow the ...
scale infestation on buford hollies9/6/2009
  Q: We live in central NorthCarolina. Have five buford hollies about 6'-8' high with a large scale ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Holly scale are hard to control. The best time to treat for them is when ...
ailing Rhododendron9/6/2009
  Q: I have six rhododendrons planted close to one another in a shady area next to the house. Five of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you may have spider mites which would eventually attack the ...
including tulips into flower beds9/6/2009
  Q: I live in Ontario Canada, zone 5b. I have several flower beds where I have several different ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A lot of the tulips you see in the bulb catalogues or even at the store ...
black walnut tree9/5/2009
  Q: I have been "letting live" anything that will grow under my black walnut tree (day lilies, phlox, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I did not find any references that indicated whether zebra grass would or ...
small brown spots on my dogwood bushes9/5/2009
  Q: I have small brown spots all over the leaves of my "variegated red twigged dogwood" bushes. I have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your plants may have septoria leaf spot. Check out the ...
Hydrangeas9/5/2009
  Q: I live in Illinois and cannot get my 3 hydrangeas to bloom. They get very big and leafy but I have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Two problems come to mind. First, try not to prune your hydrangea. When ...
lantana9/4/2009
  Q: I live in Durham, NC and I have a beautiful bed of low growing lantana. What am I supposed to do to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are now some cultivars of lantana that will overwinter in North ...
Hydrangea9/3/2009
  Q: My hydrangea had a bunch of flower buds. A few of them opened up but most of them just turned brown ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First, did you have a late freeze? Or an early warm spell and then return ...
daylillies9/2/2009
  Q: Follow up to Donna's question regarding seed pods on day lillies. I've removed the seed pods and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Allow daylily pods to get completely dry and brown. If the pods are ...
Daylillies/Peonies9/2/2009
  Q: I have gotten some seeds from lilies in a friend's yard and now they are germinating. I do not have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Daylilies do not grow from bulbs. They grow from rhizomes which are ...
variegated ginger lily9/2/2009
  Q: We like to know what would be the best way to trim back our Variegated Ginger Lily.
  A: Thanx for your question. You can prune the plant as needed to maintain neatness but bear in mind ...
Asters-Astilbe-Irises9/1/2009
  Q: 1. Asters - I am trying to get a bed of asters going and got past the animals this year only to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like the asters have botrytis blight. Avoid sprinkler ...
Indoor calla lilies care8/30/2009
  Q: I had bought a couple of potted Calla lilies(multi-color small trumpets ) few weeks ago, kept them ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This question has been answered a number of times here on th site. You ...
Russian sage8/30/2009
  Q: And HELP! I am a very, very beginning gardener in a yard with little sun. I bought a Russian sage ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It's really not enough sun for the Russian sage to do well. It will get ...
transplanting a forsythia bush8/28/2009
  Q: When IS the best time to transplant a forsythia bush? I live in NC and am afraid it is too hot right ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Forsythia bushes are pretty hardy and grow just about everywhere in the ...
Althea drooping in ground and in pots8/27/2009
  Q: I have a small nursery. I have raised Althea for several years and never had a problem like this. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This plant, as it matures, is known for bending or drooping under the load ...
calli lilys bulb8/26/2009
  Q: for the last two years i have planted my calli lilys in the same place and i even moved a couple but ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The two most common reasons for lush foliage and lack of blooms are: 1. ...
black-eyed susans8/25/2009
  Q: My husband and I just bought a house that has gorgeous landscaping and perennials throughout the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Actually, black-eyed Susans are considered deer resistant. I think your ...
caring for black-eyed susans8/25/2009
  Q: My black-eyed susans don't look healthy. The flower on them looks great but the leaves are all ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Black-eyed Susans are prone to powdery mildew and other types of fungi ...
hydrangea8/25/2009
  Q: We planted a hydrangea we purchased fome a garden center a few years ago and got a few white booms ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The reason you didn't get any blooms is because your husband cut the plants ...
Pinky Winky Hydrangea8/24/2009
  Q: I planted a Pinky last spring and it has grown wonderfully. It has lots of blooms on it this year, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Try a box of miracid on the plant. Your soil may not be acidic enough and ...
silver mounds8/23/2009
  Q: I planted mine in a tractor tire in the yard. Will it survive an indiana winter ok?
  A: Thanx for your question. Silver mound is a name coined for a number of different forms of ...
what to plant?8/23/2009
  Q: We recently moved into a new house with a new yard. We would like to plant something in a flower bed ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The fact that a septic system or wood stumps are in the area of your ...
Asian & Oriental lilies8/22/2009
  Q: When is the proper time of year to dig and move established Asian and Oriental lily bulbs?
  A: Thanx for your question. You can dig the lilies up in September or in the spring after the last ...
What to plant?8/22/2009
  Q: We live in Cincinnati, Ohio, in zone 6. We want to plant flowers on the north side, which is our ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Mums will not do well on a north facing side. They do best in full sun. ...
Calla Lily8/21/2009
  Q: I have a formerly beautiful calla lily that's been luxuriant for a few years. Recently the whole ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Check the stem of the plant and see if it has started to rot or decay. If ...
Bleeding Hearts and tree roses8/21/2009
  Q: I live in Connecticut on the border of zone 5/6. This year I planted some bleeding hearts, both red ...
  A: Here's a link to Hartford County Extension office of the University of Connecticut. If you'll ...
Fall8/21/2009
  Q: I am a new gardener. I have been experimenting with plants this summer and have had a great time. ...
  A: Thanx for the followup. Generally, with irises, in the fall cut the leaves in a fan shape. You ...
Cala Lillies8/21/2009
  Q: My cala lilies are in pots and they have bloomed. The blooms have developed big pods (seed looking ...
  A: Thanx for your question. What you are describing is a seed pod and the "peas" are the seeds. Yes, ...
Hydrangeas8/21/2009
  Q: I have a huge hydrangea plant that has bloomed every year without problems. This year, I got 2 ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Two possibilities come to mind. The first is pruning. Many people make ...
euonymous8/20/2009
  Q: i have an evergreen euonymous that did well last year, very bushy, but now the new growth this year ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your plant just needs to be pruned. Is the plant in a particularly shady ...
Fall8/20/2009
  Q: I am a new gardener. I have been experimenting with plants this summer and have had a great time. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Depending upon where you are, you may still have a lot of season left. ...
Grasses8/20/2009
  Q: I have planted an ornamental grass for the first time this year. What do I do with it come ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In general, with ornamental grasses, they will start to go dormant in late ...
STELLA D'ORO LILLIES8/20/2009
  Q: I PLANTED THESE LILLIES THIS MAY 09 IN FULL BLOOM. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE SINGLE BLOOM AFTER THOSE ...
  A: Thanx for the followup. Hardy hibiscus will bloom all summer but are kind of a small shrub and you ...
Asiatic Lily8/20/2009
  Q: Tom, I just purchased 2 A. Lilies w/buds and a couple of flowers Would it be possible to plant ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It's a little late but yes you can plant the Asiatic lilies in a ...
Bleeding Hearts and tree roses8/20/2009
  Q: I live in Connecticut on the border of zone 5/6. This year I planted some bleeding hearts, both red ...
  A: Thanx for the follow-up. In general, I wouldn't use the blanket. Just mulch the pot with some ...
Bleeding Hearts8/20/2009
  Q: I live in Connecticut on the border of zone 5/6. This year I planted some bleeding hearts, both red ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your bleeding hearts should be okay depending upon how severe your winters ...
Hydraenga Tree8/20/2009
  Q: I have a 1 year old Hydraenga tree planted in the south side of my home which gets sun most of the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your hydrangea had some ill effects from lack of moisture. ...
Morning Glories out of nowhere?8/20/2009
  Q: Tom, I live in northern Wisconsin (Hudson). I bought a house last June and there is a Southern ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Morning glory seeds are very hard and can lie dormant for years before ...
Honeysuckle death8/19/2009
  Q: We planted a Honeysuckle in our yard (Newfoundland) two years ago, and it was doing quite well. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First, allow me to express my condolences for your dog. I lost three cats ...
STELLA D'ORO LILLIES8/19/2009
  Q: I PLANTED THESE LILLIES THIS MAY 09 IN FULL BLOOM. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE SINGLE BLOOM AFTER THOSE ...
  A: Thanx for you question. Stella d'oro day lilies do best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. ...
Silver Lace Vine8/18/2009
  Q: I live in the California's Sacramento Valley. I am looking for the fastest growing twining vine I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Supposedly, silver lace vine (Polygonum aubertii) is very drought and heat ...
White Calla Lily8/18/2009
  Q: Bought a white calla lily, in a pot while blooming. Every bllom since has been green, how do we get ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You indicated that you bought the plant while it was blooming. In the ...
hardy hibiscus8/17/2009
  Q: Tom, Good Morning! I have several hardy hibiscus planted throughout my huge flower berm. After ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. You now know that you don't have an insect borer problem. ...
wire grass8/17/2009
  Q: My perennial bed is being invaded by what I call wire grass. Are there any suggestions for getting ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I know Roundup isn't politically correct, but, one has to do what one has ...
Can i trim my lavender back?8/16/2009
  Q: We live in the panhandle of Florida and when I bought my lavender, it already had flowers on it. We ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I used to live in Ft. Walton Beach many years ago. Do you know what kind ...
perennials common to east Texas8/16/2009
  Q: the soil in my yard is not good; I'm having trouble getting flowering plants to thrive. What plants ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here are some references on wildflowers and perennials for East Texas that ...
Hibiscus wintering zone 4b8/15/2009
  Q: I have just recently received a beautiful hibiscus plant as a gift. It has been planted in a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If your hibiscus is a tropical hibiscus, having glossy leaves and flowers ...
calla lily8/15/2009
  Q: I have quite a few calla lilies in my garden that come up each year. This year all the flowers ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think you may need to lift your calla lily rhizomes this fall if they ...
Corkscrew Vine Flowers8/14/2009
  Q: I was so looking forward to seeing these flowers on the vine that I am growing on my front porch ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. My first guess is 4 1/2 hours of sunlight? This is a ...
verbascum phonecium8/14/2009
  Q: Planted in early May. Has grown to 4 1/2 ft. in diameter. Beautiful, huge, soft fuzzy leaves, no ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Congratulations on your plant from Powell Gardens. Kansas City is ...
Rose of Sharon - no blumes8/13/2009
  Q: I started a rose of sharon from seed about 3 years ago. I'm in the Oakville area. The plants ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't think you have a problem. The seedlings are not yet fully mature. ...
rose of sharon8/13/2009
  Q: My rose of sharon tree is in its second year of blooming, while it looks good i feel it is getting ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can always top off your Rose-of-Sharon to keep it from getting too ...
hardy hibiscus8/12/2009
  Q: Tom, Good Morning! I have several hardy hibiscus planted throughout my huge flower berm. After ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The leaf problem sounds like it is either flea beetles or hibiscus sawfly. ...
chrysanthemum frutescens8/12/2009
  Q: I am a professional gardener in Santa Cruz, Ca. I am wondering about the dieback that always seems ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The marguerite your're talking about is a short-lived perennial. There ...
DAHLIA8/11/2009
  Q: ARE DAHLIAS PERENNIALS
  A: Thanx for your questions. Dahlias originally hail from the mountains of Mexico and are from ...
Wisteria tree8/11/2009
  Q: Two years ago I bought a small wisteria tree(about 2 ft tall) It's now about 3-3 1/2 ft tall, has ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The wisteria is really not a tree but is a woody vine. Many times, the ...
hydrangea8/11/2009
  Q: I have several variegated hydrangea bushes that leave out beautifully but never bloom. Two are in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Hydrangeas do appreciate slightly acidic soil and soil that is moist but ...
acid loving plants8/10/2009
  Q: I used to have a garden book that listed plants that are acid loving, neutral or prefer soils with ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here are several references for acid-loving plants. I hope this helps. Tom ...
Steela D'or8/9/2009
  Q: My plants have been in the ground for 3 years. I was told they were continuous bloomers from June ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, the Stella d'Oros don't always keep blooming do they? One way to ...
hydrangea8/9/2009
  Q: I have several variegated hydrangea bushes that leave out beautifully but never bloom. Two are in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you prune your hydrangeas I would stop. People often prune hydrangeas ...
bogenvelia tree8/9/2009
  Q: I would like to know hoe to get my bogenvelai tree to bloom again. We are in Georgia and the tree is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I recently returned from a trip to Savannah and Tybee Island. Very ...
Endless Summer Hydrangeas8/8/2009
  Q: Tom - me again. I have a cluster of three endless summer hydrangeas and this is the first year they ...
  A: Sandy, Thanx for your question. When pruning, you should only be pruning dead growth or growth that ...
hydrangea8/8/2009
  Q: My hydrangea is very healthy but did not bloom this year. How do I get it to bloom again next year.
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons why your hydrangea probably didn't bloom. ...
plants under the tree8/8/2009
  Q: We have a little leaf linden tree in our yard. We've tried planting a variety of plants under this ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I didn't find anything to indicate that the Little Leaf Linden (Tilia ...
Red Twig Dogwood Pruning8/8/2009
  Q: I am writing this note August, 2009 and live in the Washington DC metro area. Our weather is in the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. For maximal color, prune out 1/3 of the older branches every three years. ...
Coralbells8/6/2009
  Q: I planted 3 Coral Bells 2 years ago. They are suppose to have red flowers. They send up plenty of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Coral bells (Heuchera) will thrive in part shade but they are not getting ...
dipladenia splendens8/6/2009
  Q: I bought this beautiful vine recently and planted it, it is doing very well in the spot I chose and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This plant is now known as Mandevillea and is a very popular summer patio ...
lambs ear8/6/2009
  Q: How do you root a lambs ear from a piece of the plant?
  A: Thanx for your question. It's best to dig up a piece of the plant that has some roots already on ...
poppy's8/5/2009
  Q: My question is about Poppy's. I am more than an adequate gardener, nowhere near a master gardener. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would try to grow the standard oriental poppy if I were you. The best ...
Perennials with smell and little care needed7/30/2009
  Q: I am looking to make one side of our house look attractive with flowers that will bloom from May - ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Start with spring bulbs to include hyacinths which have an enchanting ...
plumeria7/30/2009
  Q: i live in Austin Texas and currently renting, i bought a plumeria at a nursery it is still vary ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Having lived in Hawaii for a couple of years, I'm quite familiar with the ...
gardening7/29/2009
  Q: i live in ohio. i have established a "meadow" over the past 7 years having daisies, blackeyed ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I start my perennial seeds in the winter in late January. Most perennials ...
Transplanting7/29/2009
  Q: I have a rose of sharon bush that I planted 3 years ago. It is getting very big for the area it is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Transplant your Rose-of-Sharon in September. I would trim it back to make ...
Wilting Oriental Tiger Lillies7/29/2009
  Q: I’ve had several seasons of oriental tiger lilies planted in partial sun in northern NJ with mostly ...
  A: Below is contact information for your County Extension Horticultural agent. ...
Dinner Plate Hibiscus7/28/2009
  Q: The leaves on one of my dinner plate hibiscus plants are turning dark brown. The plant is fairly ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like the hibiscus may have leaf spot. Generally, hardy hibiscus ...
Wilting Oriental Tiger Lillies7/27/2009
  Q: I’ve had several seasons of oriental tiger lilies planted in partial sun in northern NJ with mostly ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plants look like they have one of two things. Either botrytis or ...
Irises7/26/2009
  Q: In the course of landscaping, I came across some irises that were a surprise. They were dug up, by ...
  A: They sound like crocus corms and leaves. Here is a link to pix of crocus corms (the term used ...
Ragosa(sea rose)7/26/2009
  Q: I was recently in Maine on vac. and was amazed by the size and quality of shrub roses everywhere!I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The southeast Texas climate is very humid and roses suffer a variety of ...
wilting stalks - hydragnea7/25/2009
  Q: I'm both a fan and owner of serveal Endless Summer Hydragneas. One of my bushes is going through ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like Armillaria root rot. Check out the pictures at Alabama ...
calla lilly not blooming7/25/2009
  Q: I have had a large calla lilly in a large pot for at least the last 10-12 years and it has always ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the plant is only growing foliage, wait a little bit longer, it just ...
rose of sharon trees all dying7/24/2009
  Q: I have had rose of sharon shrubs along my fence line for many years.They have started dying one by ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think your Rose-of-Sharons have been succumbing to cotton root rot. ...
Calla Lillies7/23/2009
  Q: I recieved two potted callas for valentines day from my boyfriend. However, the buds fell off and ...
  A: The new shoots are the new plants coming up. Keep the plants warm. In fact, I'd put the pot ...
Stella de Oro not blooming7/23/2009
  Q: I planted Stella de Oro daylilies 1 year ago. They are not crowded. One of my plants stopped ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The pods are seed pods. If you will remove the spent flowers and prevent ...
Annabelle Hydrangea green blooms7/22/2009
  Q: My annabelle came out beautifully in the spring and had many white blooms....however, in July, none ...
  A: Hi Shirley, A little more research reveals that Annabelles start out green, turn white as they ...
hydranger flower not opening!7/22/2009
  Q: .I have 4 hydrangeas in each area and they are big and healthy but the blooms only open on the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I have been to your part of England before on a journey north to ...
calla lily7/22/2009
  Q: I planted some yellow lilies earlier this year and had several beautiful flowers. lately though the ...
  A: Thanx for your question and the answer is yes, your plants are setting seed. Eventually, you will ...
Perennial Property Line7/21/2009
  Q: I live in a zone 6 planting area and I was hoping you might have some suggestions on what I can ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In one word? Hostas. They're tough and you can either buy the large leaf ...
Perennial Garden7/21/2009
  Q: I am in the process of planting a garden in large garden (Appx 28'x14') in my front yard. I have a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The daylilies and the hydrangeas sound fine together. How about some ...
clematis never flowered7/21/2009
  Q: I have a clematis which is about 4 years old and never bloomed. I have another one planted beside ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would let the vine continue to grow and not prune anything. It may be a ...
Perennials7/21/2009
  Q: I planted black eyed susans and coneflowers in late spring. Now that they are getting ready to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sounds like septoria leaf spot. The main thing with these flowers is to ...
Irises7/20/2009
  Q: In the course of landscaping, I came across some irises that were a surprise. They were dug up, by ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The bulbs you describe don't sound like irises, at least not German ...
hydrangea7/20/2009
  Q: Why no blossoms. My three foot wide mature plant was put in my garden four years ago. Great foliage ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Any pruning done on hydrangeas should be done with care and only ...
Calla lily7/19/2009
  Q: I have got Calla Lily as a gift,,, and now week later i have noticed that 2 flowers are dying, and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Calla lily likes to be kept warm and sunny. A south facing window is ...
Tiger Lillies7/18/2009
  Q: After the blooms have died, where do I cut them back so they will bloom again?
  A: Thanx for your question. The tiger lily will not rebloom. You can cut the spent blossoms off to ...
hydranger flower not opening!7/18/2009
  Q: .I have 4 hydrangeas in each area and they are big and healthy but the blooms only open on the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I know you said you were from the UK but you didn't say exactly where. ...
transplanting tiger lilies7/18/2009
  Q: Hey Tom, a few years ago my mom planted one tiger lily shoot on the side of our house it took two ...
  A: Thanx for your question. True tiger lilies are Lilium lancifolium ...
What should I do about Calla Lilies?7/17/2009
  Q: I live in San Jose, California and I have a Calla Lilies which bought from supermarket in Feb. 2009. ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. The white stuff you talk about could be a fungus. Locate the ...
hibiscus7/17/2009
  Q: I recently received a few hibiscus as a gift and I have no idea if it is a bush, tree or plant. The ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your peach-flowering hibiscus is a tropical hibiscus and will have to be ...
Weeping Willow tree with bugs-what to do7/17/2009
  Q: I have 2 weeping willows in my front yard in VA. The leaves are turning yellow and coming off. At ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm really not a Tree Expert. We have a tree expert here on Allexperts, ...
Blue Hydrangea7/17/2009
  Q: I have a Blue Hydrangea that does not bloom no matter what. I have cut it back to the first bud as ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Blue Hydrangea is highly susceptible to cold weather. If you have a late ...
Annabelle Hydrangea green blooms7/17/2009
  Q: My annabelle came out beautifully in the spring and had many white blooms....however, in July, none ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You may need to amend your soil. If it is to acidic, this could cause the ...
Moonflower7/17/2009
  Q: Where can I purchase a moonflower plant.
  A: Thanx for your question. When you say moon flower are you talking about the vine, Ipomoea alba? ...
Speedwell7/17/2009
  Q: I live in eastern NC. I have some Veronica Sunny Border Blue that is in desperate need of help. The ...
  A: The problem you describe seems to be common with this plant. I would only water them once a week ...
cala lily care7/17/2009
  Q: I have a red cala lily. what do i do with the huge pod?. can i keep this plant indoors or ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Okinawa has a subtropical climate and your calla lily will thrive outdoors ...
Clematis Flowering7/16/2009
  Q: I bought a clematis last year which came back with excellent foliage and growth but no flowers. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Does the vine get enough sun. If it is too shady, the plant will not ...
passion vines7/16/2009
  Q: How can i winter over passion vines? I kept them in pots, its weird that they bloom better in pots ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Do you know what kind of passion vines you have? When I was growing ...
Crepe Myrtles & Butterfly Bush7/15/2009
  Q: Fresno CA very very hot in July and August 80 degrees by 10:30. I just planted a red crape myrtle ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I really don't think the heat or sun in your area is going to ...
identifying a perennial7/15/2009
  Q: I have a perennial that I planted last spring from my mother's flower garden. I would like to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As you know, there are so many types of flowers out there both wild and ...
maple tree companion plants7/15/2009
  Q: I have a big beautiful Maple tree in my front yard, and have trouble finding perennials that like ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This is a hard row to hoe because trees suck up so much moisture and ...
Crepe Myrtles & Butterfly Bush7/14/2009
  Q: Fresno CA very very hot in July and August 80 degrees by 10:30. I just planted a red crape myrtle ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm very familiar with Fresno and the Central Valley. I know how hot it ...
Columbine7/14/2009
  Q: You answered a question for me regarding soil acidity and the color of Columbine blooms. You ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There is a possibility that the blue flowers were hybrids themselves. ...
Tiger Lily yellow leaves7/14/2009
  Q: I "weeded" a flower bed of the house Im newly renting and went a little crazy and accidentally ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The shock of the lilies being pulled out of the ground is causing the ...
Black eyed susans7/13/2009
  Q: I had a landscaper who planted black eye susans in my garden bed last fall.I noticed only 4 out of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Even in Ottawa, the plants should have all emerged by now. I would say ...
Crape Myrtles7/12/2009
  Q: I have two Tonto Crape Myrtles that are 5 years old and very healthy. They have bloomed nicely each ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you have identified flower buds, perhaps your crape myrtle will be ...
Planting daffocdil bulbs7/12/2009
  Q: My neighbor just thinned out her flower beds and gave me a large number of daffodil bulbs. She told ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can plant daffodil bulbs now if you like. No harm will come to them. ...
irises not blooming7/12/2009
  Q: A friend gave me some irises three years ago. The first year that I had them they bloomed. Last ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Irises tend to slow down or stop blooming if they become crowded or if ...
starts off of Lamb's ear7/12/2009
  Q: How do I get starts off of Lamb's ear?
  A: Thanx for you question. Basically, you can just pull a piece of the plant up or dig it up gently ...
what kind of plant is this?7/11/2009
  Q: I have a plant in my flowerbed that i would really like to know what it is so i can get more and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Thanx for the pic too. It looks like a hardy ice plant (Delosperma ...
Zebra grass7/11/2009
  Q: I planted zebra grass 2 1/2 weeks ago. We have had an unusual amount of rain during this time. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It is normal for a tranplanted perennial to show some signs of transplant ...
Blue Columbine7/10/2009
  Q: I planted seeds from BLUE columbine in my garden, but the plants that grew produced MAUVE color ...
  A: Blue Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea) should be blue when it blooms. Acidity or lack of acidity in ...
Use of a large bed for bulbs and perennials7/10/2009
  Q: I am located in southwest Idaho. I have an area 64 sq. ft. split into two triangular beds. They ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you want something pretty simple for after the tulips bloom I'd go with ...
day lilies7/10/2009
  Q: Just HOW do I dead head the yellow day lilies that I grow by the fence? Your past letter to someone ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Thanx also for using the Search function. This saves us both a lot of ...
Honeysuckle Vine Questions7/10/2009
  Q: I have 2 areas covered with Honeysuckle Vines that I had started from 4 inch plants. They obviously ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your plants may have Cercospora leafspot. Here is a link to some pics. ...
Rose of Sharon Tree Did not Leaf Out this season7/9/2009
  Q: I have a Rose of Sharon Tree/Standard in my Perennial Garden that I planted three years ago. It ...
  A: Thanx for your question. What you describe is typical of shrubs and trees that have survived a late ...
Nelly Moser7/9/2009
  Q: You guy's where very helpful the first time I thought I'd ask another question on my frustrated ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It's not unusual for clematis to turn brown at the bottom and remain lush ...
stella d'oro day lily problem7/9/2009
  Q: I have noticed that there are ants crawling in and out of my stella do'oro flowers. The flowers ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The ants aren't sucking anything out of the flowers but there may be ...
Daylilies7/9/2009
  Q: Some of our daylilies have so many leaves the bloom are hidden. Is there something that I can do to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There could be several reasons for the flush of green growth. Are the ...
Columbines7/8/2009
  Q: I have several columbines in my garden and they are done blooming now. I've harvested the seeds I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Don't cut the leaves of the columbine back. Like many plants, while the ...
bulb identification?7/8/2009
  Q: I recently dug out an area to re-landscape with colorful bushes instead of the blooming flowers I ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Yup! Looks like iris to me and this is such a common ...
snapdragons7/7/2009
  Q: I live about 60 miles north of Napa Ca.  So my snapdragons act more of a perennial than annual. My ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Snapdragons are a tender perennial grown as annuals in most of the U.S. ...
wisteria & Acers7/7/2009
  Q: we bought a wisteria, planted in the right compost, 5 weeks ago, the leaves have started to fall off ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Most shrubs and plants will experience some kind of shock at being ...
Calililies - No Flowers7/7/2009
  Q: I am attempting to grow calillies in a pot for the first time in coastal north carolina without any ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I believe you are referring to calla lilies which really aren't lilies but ...
Rose of Sharon tree7/7/2009
  Q: I have a beautiful Rose of Sharon tree which has split at the Y of the two main trunks, both sides ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can clean out the fungus from the break but putting the two sides ...
Magnolia7/7/2009
  Q: I recently bought a Magolia bush, i have just noticed there is something eating it as there are ...
  A: Bonjour Rachel, Thanx for your question. You may have a leaf miner infestation on the magnolia. ...
bugs7/7/2009
  Q: I have slugs and a greyish beetle with many legs that comes out at night and eats the leaves of my ...
  A: Garvey, Thanx for your question. Try Sluggo to end your problems with slugs and snails on your ...
ornamental grass7/7/2009
  Q: Can these be easily transplanted? They are 1 year old and 4 feet high and wide. Northwest NJ. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can transplant ornamental grass now. Just make sure you soak it ...
Beginner - Planning your garden7/6/2009
  Q: I live in Illinois (Chicagoland area) and I recently moved in to my fiance's home. I'm trying to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm really not a landscaper and I really don't have much experience with ...
Hydrangea has brown spots on leaves7/6/2009
  Q: I bought a hydrangea plant from a local nursery about 3 weeks ago. We planted it a couple days ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm familiar with growing conditions in South Alabama. I lived on the ...
Changing White Snowballs to Blue Hydreangeas7/6/2009
  Q: I have the tall bushes of white, I believe they are called Japanese snowball, which are in the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A Japanese Snowball is Viburnum plicatum. The blue hydrangea is Hydrangea ...
perennial with fern type foliage7/6/2009
  Q: can you tell me what perennial I have that has foliage that looks like a fern with a long stock that ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Is the flower you are describing a native flower or a cultivated plant? ...
Hydrangea7/6/2009
  Q: I planted 5 hydrangea shrubs the second week of June 2009. I live on Long Beach Island, NJ. The ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sometimes plants will experience a delayed shock from being transplanted ...
Knockout Rose bush7/5/2009
  Q: I planted a new double knockout rose bush this year and the leaves are turning a burgundy color. Is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Normally, the Knockout Rose foliage is a purplish-green or various shades ...
Purple Coneflower transplanting7/5/2009
  Q: Purple coneflowers have taken over my garden and I would like to transplant some of them. I'm ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Mature purple coneflowers are difficult to transplant successfully because ...
Blooming Mums7/4/2009
  Q: I know nothing about plants. In fact most plants I try to grow I kill. I planted some blooming mums ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It's too late now to trim the mums back but in the future, in the spring, ...
Butterfly bushes7/4/2009
  Q: I am losing my second butterfly bush in two years in the same garden where several other bushes of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you may have stem borers. Use orthene to combat this pest. ...
Crape Myrtles7/3/2009
  Q: I have two Tonto Crape Myrtles that are 5 years old and very healthy. They have bloomed nicely each ...
  A: Thanx for your question. By pruning this past Spring you probably cut off the blooming buds. You ...
kalanchoe problem7/3/2009
  Q: I have 3 small clumps of kalanchoes which have grown well in a small corner of my lawn for two ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Kalanchoe usually doesn't have many pests other than mites or mealybugs. ...
ornamental grass7/3/2009
  Q: Can these be easily transplanted? They are 1 year old and 4 feet high and wide. Northwest NJ.
  A: Thanx for your question. Ornamental grasses are easily transplanted. The best time to do it is in ...
autumn sedum7/3/2009
  Q: It's July 2nd and my autumn sedum has "buds" on it and appears that it may flower during the summer ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It is normal for sedum to start showing buds now. The buds will not open ...
care of tiger lilies7/3/2009
  Q: 1. is the bottom half of the stem supposed to get brown early on in the summer or at all? 2. when ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The bottom half of the stem of your tiger lilies should not be turning ...
calla lily7/2/2009
  Q: I have a calla lily in a pot in the house. The blooms are all green now--they were lavender when I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As the spathe (the colored part of the flower) ages and the fruit (seeds) ...
rhododendron problem7/2/2009
  Q: One of my two plants, planted early spring is thriving, the other is developing severe brown, ...
  A: I previously answered your question but I also forgot to include some other information. If my ...
rhododendron problem7/2/2009
  Q: One of my two plants, planted early spring is thriving, the other is developing severe brown, ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. This could be a fungal die back in which case you need to ...
red twig dogwood7/2/2009
  Q: I live in wisconsin and a few of my dogwood's didn't look like they made it this spring. I was ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Did the older twigs not come back out of the winter dormancy? If not, the ...
French Lace Cap Hydrangea7/1/2009
  Q: I have a gorgeous lace cap that is about 3-4 years old. Very dependable - however, this year, I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like it might be anthracnose. To control this by raking and ...
Tiger Lillies7/1/2009
  Q: How long do tiger lillies last if they are cut and placed in a vase?
  A: Thanx for your question. If you mean Lilum lancifolium, the orange, yellow or pink lily with black ...
intensia pink phlox hybrid is dying7/1/2009
  Q: I received an intensia pink phlox hybrid hanging basket about 2 months ago. It was absolutely ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Intensia phlox are supposedly low-maintenance, drought tolerant and heat ...
Hydrangeas are faded6/29/2009
  Q: I'm in Wilmington, NC (Zone 8) and have had the most beautiful hydrangeas for the past two yrs. Last ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Being in North Carolina, the summer heat is most likely contributing to ...
Wood Peonies6/29/2009
  Q: How far back should you prune and what season?
  A: Thanx for your question. After the tree peony is several years old and has many branches, you may ...
zantedeschia lilies (purple and wt)6/29/2009
  Q: My lilies have grown beautifully but the petals are now all green instead of white and purple. I've ...
  A: Thanx for your question about Zantedeschia aethiopica. The spathe (the white hood of the flower) ...
right roses for South CA climate6/28/2009
  Q: could you sugest me the type of roses , and methodology to plant roses in South CA climate. WHich ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm not a rose expert and we do have one here on Allexperts, so I don't ...
Lily care6/28/2009
  Q: I have several lillies that make the typical orange and white flowers. In the last few years they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your lilies may be too crowded. Every three or four years they should be ...
plumbago bushes6/28/2009
  Q: We just purchased Plumbago bushes in New Jersey to plant in our Yardley, Pa garden. We are ...
  A: Check out the link below. It has some images of the Cape Plumbago, Plumbago auriculata. ...
daisy tree6/28/2009
  Q: why does my 3 year old daisy tree not flower
  A: Thanx for your question. Here's a link to some pictures and let me know if this is your tree. ...
stella d'oro daylilies6/28/2009
  Q: I live in North West NJ...I planted stella d'oro's for the first time a couple of months ago. The ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you only planted your Stella D'oros a couple months ago, it is natural ...
rhododendron problem6/27/2009
  Q: One of my two plants, planted early spring is thriving, the other is developing severe brown, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is an image. Let me know if this is what you're talking about. ...
Pruning asiatic lillies6/27/2009
  Q: What is the best way to prune a asiatic lilly? thank You
  A: Thanx for your question. The best way to prune an Asiatic lily is to wait until late summer or ...
When to cut out plants in a perennial garden6/27/2009
  Q: I was wondering when I can cut plants that are done blooming and are starting to turn brown. I have ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. Go ahead and cut back your perennials that have shriveled up and are ...
Plant Identification6/26/2009
  Q: Tom I saw this plant yesterday on 5th ave in NYC planted with oakleaf hydrangea and it was a ...
  A: Thanx for your question and thank you for the beautiful picture. The plant is a hydrangea(Hydangea ...
lily of the valley6/26/2009
  Q: My lily of the valley is too thick and trying to grow into the lawn. How do I thin it? I've tried ...
  A: I have lily-of-the-valley in my front hard behind some bricks. It always starts popping up in ...
wisteria6/25/2009
  Q: we have built a pergola out in our field with nothing around it but a stone fire pit and walkway. A ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to put the wisteria in the ground is in the early fall. You ...
Stella de oro Lillies6/25/2009
  Q: About 2 yrs.ago I planted several above plants in a flower bed with different amounts of sunshine in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Have you been putting fertilizer on your plants? Too much nitrogen will ...
asian lily care - splitting?6/25/2009
  Q: I have an asian lily that seems to need splitting as it has not grown as big the last two years as ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, it sounds like it's time to divide the Asian Lily. Wait until ...
Iris6/25/2009
  Q: I have some Irises that have some of the best flowers I have seen. I have had them for several ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I am going to assume that you have the German Bearded Iris which are the ...
Red Twig Dogwood Milky Goo6/25/2009
  Q: I have a row of Red Twig Dogwoods that are suddenly dripping a white milky goo all over the plants. ...
  A: I'm thinking its a borer. Please contact your county extension office and they'll probably ask you ...
mock orange6/25/2009
  Q: My mother has a mock orange bush/tree that has grown native to her Boone, NC home. Her mock orange ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Unfortunately, mock orange (Philadelphus) scent will vary from ...
hydrangea blooms not developing6/24/2009
  Q: I have a hydrangea that I have had planted for 4 years. This is only the second year it has bloomed ...
  A: I couldn't answer for your question so I contacted a hydrangea expert, Pete Smith. This is his ...
Magnolia bush6/24/2009
  Q: I have a magnolia bush in my yard that was planted last March (2008) it has never bloomed. Is there ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Did you have a late frost or cold spell? This is the number one reason ...
peonies6/24/2009
  Q: I have both the common pink peonie plants and a lovely small peony tree that need to be ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would wait until late summer, early fall to move the plants. In regard ...
Hibiscus6/23/2009
  Q: I am in S. California and had 4 great hibiscus plants. I transplanted over a year ago from container ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It sounds like leaf-drop which is common with hibiscus and ...
Red Twig Dogwood Milky Goo6/23/2009
  Q: I have a row of Red Twig Dogwoods that are suddenly dripping a white milky goo all over the plants. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Is milky substance foamy or liquidy? If it is foamy, it is probably from ...
thinning black eyed susans6/22/2009
  Q: My black eyed susans have a white powdery substance on the stems. I read that a remedy for this is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The condition you describe is powdery mildew and it is the result of ...
Planting perennials around a sign6/22/2009
  Q: Tom, I'm looking for some 'colorful' landscaping design ideas for planting around a front entry sign ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm really not a designer or landscaper. I'm not very artistic. I just ...
rose of sharon transplant6/22/2009
  Q: Last fall I transplanted my Rose of Sharon. It seemed to adapt well to the new site. This year no ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It is unusual for a Rose-of-Sharon to be leafless this late in the season ...
Foliage turning yellow prematurely6/22/2009
  Q: Need your expert advice again! I have Stargazer lilies that seem to have grown to only 1 foot high ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Make sure your plants are getting plenty of water and that the soil drains ...
What kind of plant is this??6/22/2009
  Q: I am trying to determine what kind of plant this is, I am thinking it is a stephanotis floribunda, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm not a houseplant expert but the first thought that came to mind was ...
Hydrangea care in my climate6/22/2009
  Q: I'm in Eastern Washington (climate 6a) and despite Western Wa being lush, rainy, and green, the east ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Zone 6a isn't a bad zone for the type of hydrangeas you have. I'm pretty ...
hydraneas6/22/2009
  Q: this year is the first year for trying hydrangeas. Upon receiving them, one was white and the other ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Hydrangea blooms turn green with age, especially in the South. Fertilize ...
Hibiscus6/21/2009
  Q: I am in S. California and had 4 great hibiscus plants. I transplanted over a year ago from container ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Check you plant for pests. Aphids and spidermites love hibiscus. Look ...
birdbath plant6/21/2009
  Q: Enjoy your site... I put in a small concrete pedestal birdbath surrounded by a rock garden. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You could put some parrot's feather or some other aquatic plant that would ...
Bromelaid Neoregelia Compacta6/20/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a few Neoregelia Compacta. Some of them had a beautiful dark pink-reddish ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The bromeliad you describe is considered a houseplant and I do not have ...
Sweet Talk Calla Lily6/20/2009
  Q: I puchased a calla lily plant in May. I moved it to a permanent pot. It did very well for @ 1.5 ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The calla lily flower may be starting to wilt because it is finished ...
Italian Heather6/20/2009
  Q: I have put a Italian Heather in pot and placed on my screened in porch. Gets afternoon sun, but not ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Italian Heather does not like heat. Even though it comes from a ...
unidentifiable plant in garden6/19/2009
  Q: It is a 3.5 to 4.0 feet tall plant with elongated, fuzzy 12 in. long leaves. The upside down cone ...
  A: John, I think you have mullein which is considered both a weed and a wildflower. It is a member of ...
Oriental Poppies6/19/2009
  Q: This is the first year for my oriental poppies and they are beautiful. Will they reseed themselves? ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, poppies will reseed themselves. You can help them by shaking the ...
yellow flower6/19/2009
  Q: I bought a root at Wakmart that was supposed to be a bleeding heart. Instead I got a plant with ...
  A: It's a dahlia. This particular dahlia is grown as an annual for bedding plants and is commonly found ...
using plastic instead of landscape fabric6/18/2009
  Q: We want to put a weed/vegetation blocker under our pool deck. We have used landscape cloth in our ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm really not a landscape design expert and I really don't have any ...
gravesite plants6/18/2009
  Q: I live in Newark, Ohio and I'm looking for a perennial that can be planted at my husbands grave that ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It's hard to find a perennial that will bloom all summer long but there ...
hydrangeas6/18/2009
  Q: We (about 2 wks. ago) planted a hydrangea bought from a store that was in a pot. Beautiful blue ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Could be you're not watering enough. The plant is newly planted and roots ...
Sweet Broom6/18/2009
  Q: I have two Sweet Broom plants that finished blooming recently, and now there are little pods on the ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Leave the pods to ripen on the plant so the seed will have ...
clamatis6/18/2009
  Q: I purchased a clamatis about a month ago and planted it according to directions. It faces South ...
  A: Nurseries in the north and even here in the lower Midwest often sell plants that really aren't rated ...
Daylilies6/18/2009
  Q: I live in Northeast Ohio and have 5 different daylily plants in scattered around my backyard. They ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Sometimes, after division, the plants will not bloom the next ...
Brugmansia bloom failure6/17/2009
  Q: Live in zone 9-10 and having trouble getting Brugmansia candida to complete a full bloom. The plant ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Even though brugmansias are from tropical South America they experience ...
lack of flowers6/17/2009
  Q: I have several helleborus winter flowering plants that I have had for 2 years. I bought them as ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are several things that could be causing this. First, have you been ...
Tiger Lillies6/17/2009
  Q: We have Tiger Lillies, and it looks like someone is taking a pair of scissors, and snipping of the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Believe it or not, something like this happened to me and eventually, I ...
Hollyhock6/17/2009
  Q: We have been raising Hollyhocks for about 10 years now. We have one plant on the outside edge of our ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like it could be the stalk borer. Here is a linke to the ...
Sweet Broom6/17/2009
  Q: I have two Sweet Broom plants that finished blooming recently, and now there are little pods on the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The pods are seed pods and you should allow them to dry and just as they ...
Daylilies6/17/2009
  Q: I live in Northeast Ohio and have 5 different daylily plants in scattered around my backyard. They ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you are using a high nitrogen lawn fertilizer near the plants this will ...
yellow flower6/16/2009
  Q: I bought a root at Wakmart that was supposed to be a bleeding heart. Instead I got a plant with ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think it is a yellow bleeding heart (Dicentra scandens). Here's a link. ...
Planting hostas along a foundation all6/16/2009
  Q: I know that hostas are moisture loving. Knowing this, is it safe to plant them directly alongside ...
  A: I don't think the hostas will harm your foundation. It is trees that cause foundation problems. ...
canna6/16/2009
  Q: I want to know if any part of the canna plant is toxic? I saw a similar question posted about CANNA ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Canna's aren't lilies although some people refer to them as lilies and ...
hummingbirdvine6/16/2009
  Q: our neighbor gave us a cutting off his hummingbird vine how do we root it? Can I cut off the new ...
  A: When you say hummingbird vine are you talking about the trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)? Here's a ...
what is this plant?6/15/2009
  Q: i'm sorry, no picture, but here is the description. its in a 40 year old garden, was in a daylily ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like a crinum lily. Can you give me your general location? ...
wilting cone flower6/15/2009
  Q: What is causing my coneflower to wilt, and what can I do to save it?
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons your coneflower is wilting. Is it hot where ...
Stella de Ora Daylily6/15/2009
  Q: My stella de Ora Daylilies have always bloomed nicely. Last season they started out nicely and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It might be daylily rust. Take a look at this link and let me know. ...
Transplanting Mums6/14/2009
  Q: Last fall planted 5 mum plants in the front of my flower bed without realizing how big they grow. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to transplant mums is in the fall when you have 30-45 days ...
tulips6/14/2009
  Q: I planted a lot of tulips last fall and decided to dig them out in summer. Where do i have to store ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would store the tulip bulbs in a cool, dry, dark basement. You can ...
Perennials growth patterns6/14/2009
  Q: Is there any information anywhere that would list different perennials and describe how much they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a list of invasive perennial plants from the University of ...
Calla Lily6/14/2009
  Q: I planted some calla lily bulbs in a large pot about 2 months ago. They are growing fine but i ...
  A: Do you know what kind of calla lily you have? There are some that have white spots or marks on the ...
ornimental grasses6/14/2009
  Q: Can i split ornamental grasses - and when is the best time to do so
  A: Thanx for your question. You most certainly may split/separate ornamental grasses. The best time ...
hydranga6/14/2009
  Q: I got a hydranga for Mothers day. I planted it according to the intstructions. It did not say when ...
  A: Thanx for your question. What type of hydrangea is it? Is it one of the florist-grade hydrangeas ...
aztec lily6/12/2009
  Q: This is the second year for my lilies. They came as bulbs and I had no idea where or how to plant ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Separate and replant offsetting bulblets in the autumn. You can plant ...
Killing Weeds in Ground Cover6/12/2009
  Q: What kind of product can be utilized to kill weeds that are coming up through established ground ...
  A: Thanx for your question. My fellow gardeners and I have often discussed this issue. You can always ...
Nelly Moser clematis6/12/2009
  Q: I have a Nelly Moser that has taken over the lamppost in the front looks great. It in it's second ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. The Miracle Gro should be fine. Rose food can also be used ...
browning6/11/2009
  Q: somewhat near each other in a shade garden. They start out beautiful but after a bit, the top of the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the soil is taking a while to drain, the plants may be resenting the ...
Lantana6/11/2009
  Q: Tom, I live in Phoenix, Az. and my lantana (Dallas Red variety) bloomed throughout the spring and ...
  A: The Dallas Reds should be blooming pretty much through the summer. I was reading where a light trim ...
Lantana6/10/2009
  Q: Tom, I live in Phoenix, Az. and my lantana (Dallas Red variety) bloomed throughout the spring and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Some of the cultivars of lantana will bloom in the spring and then stop ...
Perennials6/10/2009
  Q: A small, metallic-looking, iridescent beetle the size/shape of a bee bee is eating the petals of my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It may be Japanese beetles. They used to be confined to the NE U.S. but ...
Nelly Moser clematis6/10/2009
  Q: I have a Nelly Moser that has taken over the lamppost in the front looks great. It in it's second ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Are you asking why the plant didn't bloom all the way up the vine? Are ...
Why won't my calla lily bloom?6/10/2009
  Q: I have a beautiful and large calla lily plant which looks quite healty HOWEVER, it has not bloomed ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Is the calla lily in a pot or is it growing outdoors? If outdoors, does ...
caring for alstroemeria plant6/10/2009
  Q: Good Morning! I just recently bought a Alstroemeria and was wondering how to prune it. the tag says ...
  A: Thanx for your question. When the flower is spent, go ahead and snip off the whole flower. ...
Celosia and Bouganvillea6/10/2009
  Q: Aloha Tom, 1) Is it true that Celosia are perennials in Zones 10-12? 2) Why do bouganvillea plants ...
  A: Aloha Jennifer, Thanx for your question. I know you indicated you were looking for books but here ...
Celosia and Bouganvillea6/10/2009
  Q: Aloha Tom, 1) Is it true that Celosia are perennials in Zones 10-12? 2) Why do bouganvillea plants ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't know if you are on Oahu or one of the Neighobor Islands but here is ...
Care of cala lily6/10/2009
  Q: My daughter gave me a beautiful potted white cala lily for Mothers day. I would love to plant it ...
  A: Thanx for the followup. Chicago is in USDA Zone 5 so you are considerably colder than the limit for ...
Celosia and Bouganvillea6/9/2009
  Q: Aloha Tom, 1) Is it true that Celosia are perennials in Zones 10-12? 2) Why do bouganvillea plants ...
  A: Celosia does reseed quite well but there are a variety of torch-like gingers that grow all over ...
Stephanotis Floribunda ( or jasminoides)6/9/2009
  Q: I have Stephanotis Floribunda ( or jasminoides)it was planted a year ago and is lamost 12ft now but ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First, make sure that the plant is not getting too much nitrogen. If you ...
moon by night flower6/9/2009
  Q: my grandmother gave me a moon by night flower from tennessee. i brought it home and plant in a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think what you are describing is datura or jimsonweed, thornapple, ...
perrenial plant6/8/2009
  Q: my mom used to have a plant that grew very tall and had big blooms on it. the leaves looked exactly ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Was the plant a houseplant or did it grow outdoors? Do you know if it was ...
Perennial identification6/8/2009
  Q: My sister has a perennial in her garden we have been trying to identify. It has white flowers that ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It looks like Oakleaf Hydrangea to me. Take a look at the link below. If ...
wilting plant6/8/2009
  Q: I have a plant that I got from a funeral. It is a big green plant that stands about 3-4 ft. tall. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. My expertise doesn't really lie with houseplants. We have three experts ...
Tiger Lillies6/8/2009
  Q: I live in Cleveland Ohio. Which is Zone 5. I transplanted some Tiger Lillies at the end of august ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. There are a lot of different methods for propagating ...
michigan zone- what grows well?6/8/2009
  Q: I have been prepping my yard and now have many empty spaces for new colorful flowers and plants, but ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a list of perennials that would do well in your SE Michigan ...
Calilily6/8/2009
  Q: I have planted 6 of them in the front yard, and now my family members are telling me that they are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Calla lilies are perennial but they are not hardy in Southern Indiana. ...
hydrangeas6/7/2009
  Q: W have several hydrangea shrubs in our yard. Last year they had beautiful large white blooms. Today ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Did you have a late freeze that could have killed the growing tip? How ...
Celosia and Bouganvillea6/7/2009
  Q: Aloha Tom, 1) Is it true that Celosia are perennials in Zones 10-12? 2) Why do bouganvillea plants ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. 1. Celosia is an annual native to the tropics of South America, the ...
cranesbill transplanting6/7/2009
  Q: I have 2 large groupings of cranesbill in my garden right now and they seem to be taking over the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Crane's bill grow best in part shade to full sun in well-drained soil that ...
perennials6/7/2009
  Q: what perennial could I plant around the base of a tree that would flower all summer. I would like ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Ground cover sedums should do the trick for you. Check out the link to ...
Tiger Lillies6/7/2009
  Q: I live in Cleveland Ohio. Which is Zone 5. I transplanted some Tiger Lillies at the end of august ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You should be getting some blooms from the larger bulbs in the next week ...
Asian Lily6/7/2009
  Q: We live in zone 6 and bought our lily at Lowe's. We planted it in the ground and it has been ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Do you know what kind of lily you have? I'm not sure I understand why you ...
Care of cala lily6/6/2009
  Q: My daughter gave me a beautiful potted white cala lily for Mothers day. I would love to plant it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In the Chicago area, you can safely plant the calla lily outdoors in late ...
hydrangeas6/6/2009
  Q: W have several hydrangea shrubs in our yard. Last year they had beautiful large white blooms. Today ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like you may have aphids on your hydrangea. You can use a ...
Aster care6/6/2009
  Q: I have begun to use a variety of asters in my landscaping. My questions are what type of soil do ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I am going to assume that you are speaking of perennial asters. They're ...
large leaf lambs ear?6/6/2009
  Q: I have 5 large (36""x 24") single stem plants that showed up in my garden last fall, and wintered ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like mullien and I think that is Verbascum thapsus. It is ...
tiger lilies6/5/2009
  Q: This is my second or third year with tiger lilies, which have bloomed beautifully. However, the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As far as I know, once the tiger lily has bloomed, it is finished blooming ...
mites and mold on zinnas6/5/2009
  Q: I have both mites and mold on my zinnas, which are out in front of my office near the street. Got ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Mites can be controlled by miticides or horticultural soap. To keep mold ...
Kalanchoe6/5/2009
  Q: I received a Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana for my birthday. It came in a small pot and I would like to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Kalanchoe are easy to repot and don't suffer much from repotting. Repot ...
tree problem6/5/2009
  Q: about four years ago we plants a weeping willow tree. It was sick for two years and finally died. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I am not a tree expert but we do have a tree expert here on Allexperts. ...
Broom Plant6/4/2009
  Q: I had several broom plants planted about 4 years ago. In the Spring they are alive with beautiful ...
  A: Yes, I would trim the plants back now if they have finished blooming. As for invasiveness, Cytisus ...
Daylilies6/4/2009
  Q: Does it hurt to plant hybird daylilies next to the common "ditch" lily ? I have been told that it ...
  A: I suppose some of the hybrid daylilies may not be disease resistant but I have never heard that one ...
dying verbena6/4/2009
  Q: verbena (creeping) is turning brown with flowers then dying
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm afraid I'm going to need more information. What is your general ...
Iris6/4/2009
  Q: I want to move my iris bed and would like to know when is the best time to do it? Some are double ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to move iris is in the late summer or early fall depending ...
seed pods6/4/2009
  Q: should i take off the seed pods after the flower fell off. ANSWER: Hi Pamela, Thanx for your ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a link that tells you how to propagate fuchsia from seed. ...
Broom Plant6/4/2009
  Q: I had several broom plants planted about 4 years ago. In the Spring they are alive with beautiful ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It is a common growth habit for this Cytisus to lean. You ...
Calla Lily Flame6/4/2009
  Q: I bought some calla lily plants and planted them in pots outside. I have noticed that the leaves ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I think your potting soil is fine. Unless your garden soil ...
seed pods6/3/2009
  Q: should i take off the seed pods after the flower fell off.
  A: Thanx for your question. Removing seed pods depends upon whether or not you are saving seeds. ...
Italian heather in Austin, TX6/3/2009
  Q: I just bought a gorgeous Italian heather @ a local supermarket. I live Austin, TX. I believe it's ...
  A: Plant it in a container as large as you can manage. You can regulate the size of the plant so I ...
Irises6/3/2009
  Q: I will be moving from Eastern Ontario to Vancouver, BC probably near the end of the summer. How long ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Iris rhizomes may be stored in a cool, dark, dry place for extended ...
Italian heather in Austin, TX6/3/2009
  Q: I just bought a gorgeous Italian heather @ a local supermarket. I live Austin, TX. I believe it's ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I've received several inquiries about Italian heather (Erica ventricosa). ...
Need to identify a plant...6/3/2009
  Q: I have a friend that has a plant that comes up every year. I've looked through several perennial ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you. I think the ...
How to remove root of 50 year-old "Bird of Paradise" plant6/3/2009
  Q: We are located in the SF Bay Area. This plant has filled its space and ceased to flower so I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Glad to hear from a fellow "expert". I would take some Roundup to this ...
Crepe myrtles6/2/2009
  Q: Can they grow in Salem, West Virginia; zip code 26426? Gracias
  A: Hola Ramón, Que pasa? Ok, I'm guessing by looking at the map that you are most likely in Zone 5. ...
daylillies6/2/2009
  Q: I have many daylillies that I planted in a small area around my pool. I love the daylillies but ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You must not trim off the leaves of the daylily after it has quit blooming ...
Bulbs6/2/2009
  Q: I've been gardening in my WNY climate for about 3-years now. My front yard is completely shaded and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your zone 5 soil is still pretty cool and these perennials you just ...
Burning Bushes6/1/2009
  Q: I planted two Burning Bushes last fall. They are growing fast but I noticed white stuff on their ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. The Nursery is probably right if the leaves are curling. ...
Hydrangea/Azalea blooms/deadheading6/1/2009
  Q: I live in the central valley of California and have Hydrangeas and Azaleas in my garden for the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If for no other reason, deadheading helps keep your plants tidy but it is ...
over or under watering?6/1/2009
  Q: re:watering. I have 4 related questions: (1) Lavatera Maritima in 1/2 wine barrels facing south ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First of all, the plants ine the wine barrels...do the wine barrels drain ...
Calla Lily Flame6/1/2009
  Q: I bought some calla lily plants and planted them in pots outside. I have noticed that the leaves ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It could be a number of things causing the calla leaves to curl. Check ...
Burning Bushes6/1/2009
  Q: I planted two Burning Bushes last fall. They are growing fast but I noticed white stuff on their ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like your burning bush (Euonymous alatus) has powder ...
Hydranga5/31/2009
  Q: Once the flowering is complete do i cut the dead blooms off? How far? this is probably an indoor ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You may remove blooms as soon as they become spent. Just snip them off ...
small leaf/tree-like hydrangeas5/31/2009
  Q: My hydrangeas have produced beautifully for years and are mature trees (9ft.+). The problem is that ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Wait until after the hydrangeas have bloomed and then yes, you can ...
Trumpet Vine5/31/2009
  Q: We have a trumpet vine that grows like crazy, but seldom blooms. We have lots of green leaves and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. An unattended trumpet vine usually doesn't have any trouble blooming. ...
daylilly blooms5/30/2009
  Q: I have had daylillies for 20 years. This year the scapes on some of them are very short, and the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Daylilies should be divided every three years. If they become overcrowded ...
red twig dogwood5/30/2009
  Q: I have a two year old red twig dogwood bush that has/had about five blooms on it this year. Since it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A late cold spell or frost could have killed off the blossoms. It could ...
hibiscus5/30/2009
  Q: i would like some help with my hibiscus tree. I had one last year and it didn't live. i would really ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, it sounds like you have a tropical hibiscus. If you're going to keep ...
calla lillies5/29/2009
  Q: A few weeks ago, I purchased a calla lilly to replace one I lost this winter where it had done well ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Dig the corm up and see if this one is rotting. You might ...
azaleas5/29/2009
  Q: this year my 1 year old azalea had lots of small flowers, (not large ones like it had when purchased ...
  A: If the azalea is only 1 year old, I would not cut it back. Did you have a late freeze that could ...
calla lily dissolution5/29/2009
  Q: Over the years i have seen my or friend's calla lily's begin to develope yellow leaves, one by one, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. What you are describing sounds a lot like bacterial soft rot (Erwinia ...
Cala Lilly5/29/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a cala lilly in a 10" diameter pot. When should I take it out of the pot and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think the soil in Pennsylvania will be sufficiently warm now for ...
virburnm bush5/29/2009
  Q: I have had viburnm bushes for about 5 years, and each year, when they bloom, the leaves fold under, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like aphids. Aphids come in a lot of different colors and ...
hydrangea tree5/29/2009
  Q: IT,S THE END OF MAY AND MY HYDRANGEA TREE HAS NO BUDS OR LEAVES. IT HAS FLESHY WOODY STEMS. I WANT ...
  A: If you had a late freeze, this could have taken care of any bud growth. Many hydrangeas are ...
Non-blooming Hydrangea5/29/2009
  Q: 6 years ago when my mother-in-law passed we received a beautiful hydrangea. I planted it in my yard ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Most flower buds develop on old stems. If you have a late freeze or you ...
Re: removing cast iron plants5/28/2009
  Q: We bought a house in south Louisiana and have a courtyard with a garden around the edges. The ...
  A: Thanx for your question. After you cut the plants down to the ground. Apply Roundup directly into ...
Hydrangea blooms5/28/2009
  Q: I have a hydrangea bush where the bloom is developed on the outer edges but the middle stays compact ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A few from me first if you will please? 1. How long have you had the ...
hydrangeas5/28/2009
  Q: I purchased a potted hydrangea with flowers in bloom and have planted it. It seems to be doing ok ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. You still didn't mention your general location so I'm going ...
Coreopsis5/27/2009
  Q: I planted some coreopsis last summer and they did well. I cut them back in the fall and most of them ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Check very closely, you may have tiny aphids. Also, snails or slugs could ...
Lots of tiny bite holes5/27/2009
  Q: On my Hostas & leafy flowers I have lots of tiny bite holes. I have purchased Diazanon, Sevin and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you have slugs. There are a variety of ways to control ...
question about my caladiums5/27/2009
  Q: I have caladiums (white, take full sun...dont remember the name)in my garden. I also have weeds ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Weed-B-Gone will kill anything with which it comes into contact. You can ...
calla lillies5/27/2009
  Q: A few weeks ago, I purchased a calla lilly to replace one I lost this winter where it had done well ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like your calla lily is going dormant. This will be a ...
bougainvillea tree5/27/2009
  Q: Tom: We live in central Florida and had a freeze this past winter. The bougainvillea is growing new ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I go down to the Daytona Beach area about 3 times a year because my ...
Mystery plant5/27/2009
  Q: I am an avid perennial gardener. In my shade garden, this plant has appeared and I don't remember ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant you showed in the picture looks like Pokeweed (Phytolacca ...
asian lily5/26/2009
  Q: we bought an Asian lily is it better to leave in its pot or in the ground?also the smaller one is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You didn't indicate where you lived so I'll just give you this info and ...
Rusty leaves on Black Eyed Susan5/26/2009
  Q: I have had this plant for about 1 month. In the past week I have noticed almost all of the leaves ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your Black-Eyed Susan has a fungal infection. Remove all ...
cala lillies5/26/2009
  Q: I have calla lillies in my garden around my swimming pool. they have been there about 4 yrs. they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, the fall is the best time to divide the calla lilies. I would do it ...
Lily that likes shade5/26/2009
  Q: I recently picked up a lily plant and I can't remember the name of it. It starts with an 'M'. The ...
  A: The link below shows various pictures of the martagon lily. Is this the lily you are describing? ...
Transplanting a Large Forsythia Bush5/26/2009
  Q: I find that I must transplant a large forsythia bush. This bush has been growing next to my house ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You will need help with a rootball froma large shrub. I should have ...
Yucca plant5/26/2009
  Q: Purchased plant 1 year ago. Very nice two colors green. I read not to water too much. I didn't ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, Santa Clara Valley has wonderful weather. I would just put a nice ...
Non-blooming Hydrangea5/25/2009
  Q: 6 years ago when my mother-in-law passed we received a beautiful hydrangea. I planted it in my yard ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The reason your hydrangea is not blooming is because you are cutting off ...
bogenvelia5/25/2009
  Q: I live in north-east Florida and recently bought a potted bogenvelia plant. At the time of purchase ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Are y'all still having the drought? Usually, it is wet enough in Florida ...
kousa dogwood5/25/2009
  Q: I read your answer to Margaret's question regarding a kousa dogwood. My kousa is also planted at a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Dogwoods don't mind some shade and usually grow under taller trees but ...
hydrangeas5/25/2009
  Q: I purchased a potted hydrangea with flowers in bloom and have planted it. It seems to be doing ok ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Before I can adequately answer it, I need to know if this was a florist's ...
Lavender5/25/2009
  Q: I ordered some lavender through the mail. When I received it it all looked good. I planted it 2 ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Whenever ordering plants through the mail always get them accustomed to ...
CYTISUS SPACHIANUS5/24/2009
  Q: I live in Maine which in an area that is a zone 5. Recently I found a shrub I fell in love with, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. By all means, dig the shrubs up and plant them in large pots and keep them ...
Lilac bushes in Hawaii5/24/2009
  Q: Will lilac bushes grow in Hawaii? We live at 900 ft. on the rainforest (east) side of the Big ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Lilacs require extended periods of temperatures of 40F and lower. They ...
Daffodill Bulbs5/24/2009
  Q: On Mothers day I received a lovely basket of Daffodils that have bloomed and are now just starting ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You should plant the bulbs outdoors as soon as you can. If the foliage is ...
Cala lily5/24/2009
  Q: I don't know if this is in your area of expertise but I thought I would give it a try. First, we ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You are fortunate that the calla lily survived the outdoors and the winter ...
Shallow root perennial bush needed5/23/2009
  Q: We live in Phoenix and recently had to remove 3 oleander bushes because their roots got into the ...
  A: thanx for your question. I lived in Phoenix for a couple of years many moons ago. Here's the ...
calla lillies5/23/2009
  Q: I recently bought calla lillies in a pot.I have no idea what to do w/them,can they stay in a pot and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. For your convenience, in the future, you can use our Search function at ...
Pruning forsythia5/23/2009
  Q: Does forsythia flower next spring on wood it produces this year? I suspect the answer to this is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to prune forsythia is right after it blooms. If you wait ...
Asian Lilly5/23/2009
  Q: Will Asian lillies grow and/or thrive in Zone 9 and, if so, how best to care for them and where to ...
  A: Asiatic lilies are hardy from Zones 3-10 so you should have no problem getting the Asiatics to ...
red twig dogwood with ants5/22/2009
  Q: I have a red twig dogwood bush and for the last couple of years, ants have built little nests on ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If your plants have spider mites or aphids on or near them, the ants are ...
Crepe myrtle-When does it leaf out in spring5/21/2009
  Q: We live in Kansas City, zone 5, and last fall planted a new variety of crepe myrtle that the garden ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You may trim out the dead branches once the new growth begins emerging. ...
Daffodils5/21/2009
  Q: when the daffodils has finished blooming and at the end of it time it get a hard bulb is that the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Most of the common daffodils don't generally set seed after blooming. ...
How to prune Azaleas5/21/2009
  Q: I have many 5-6 feet tall Azaleas which have already bloomed this spring. I want to prune them ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You may prune your azaleas rather severely and this is most effective for ...
Crepe myrtle-When does it leaf out in spring5/21/2009
  Q: We live in Kansas City, zone 5, and last fall planted a new variety of crepe myrtle that the garden ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm in KC also. Most of the crape myrtle grown in Kansas City grow as a ...
Gladiolas and irises5/21/2009
  Q: I am confused. Is the iris and the gladiola in the same family? I can't quite tell them apart. How ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Irises and gladioli (plural of gladiolus) are both members of the ...
tiny dilanthus..not sure the speeling??5/21/2009
  Q: i bought tiny dilhanthus and they have i guess crown rot on them? i just searched it on the internet ...
  A: Check out your planting container and make sure it is draining freely. If it is not, you will have ...
Hydrangas5/20/2009
  Q: I have a hydranga plant in a large planter on my covered patio. It is the kind that came from a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A lot of the florist's hydrangeas are not hardy below zone 9. If you ...
heat and plants5/20/2009
  Q: Do you have any ideas how to take care out side patio plants in a heat wave,I live in the bay ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. The petunias, geraniums, cacti and ivy will not need a lot of ...
What perrenials would be best?5/20/2009
  Q: I live in northeast Tennessee. I have a 2 foot by 40 foot area in the front border of the house. It ...
  A: There are some cultivars of low-growing rhododendron and azaleas on the market. Ilex (holly) can be ...
Lantana - Miss Huff5/20/2009
  Q: Will this variety of Lantana "over-winter" in the Greensboro, NC area?? I have been told it is a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Miss Huff is rated hardy to Zone 7a/b. I have seen references from ...
lambs ears5/20/2009
  Q: are lambs ears poison to horses?
  A: Thanx for your question. I can find no references that indicate lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) is ...
Italian Heather5/20/2009
  Q: My name is Carolyn. I just bought 2 pot of Italian Heather. I'm not certain if this plant is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Your plant is Erica ventricosa and it is a tender perennial. It will not ...
italian heather5/19/2009
  Q: I was given a beautiful Italian Heather for Mothers Day. A week later it is droping needles and the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant is Erica ventricosa and it is a greenhouse plant. It doesn't ...
Weed Control around perennials5/19/2009
  Q: My husband and I planted a large garden of several perennials including forsythias and butterfly ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Preen is an application easily found in most DIYs and Walmart, Kmart, etc. ...
Transplanting a Large Forsythia Bush5/19/2009
  Q: I find that I must transplant a large forsythia bush. This bush has been growing next to my house ...
  A: Thanx for your question. One thing I have learned in gardening and in other things is, don't let ...
I think perennials were poisened!5/19/2009
  Q: My significant other while trying to be helpful while I was out of town put Scots weed and feed down ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sometimes it takes more than one application of weed and feed to ...
Rose bush bulb?5/18/2009
  Q: My aunt has an old well established rose bush which she wanted divided and a portion moved. In the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The structures you describe are not seeds. They are probably a pest. Can ...
bogenvelia5/18/2009
  Q: My friend has a bogenvelia and all the leaves have fallen off but the blossoms are still in place. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sometimes leaves will drop from the bougainvillea if it is deprived of ...
Hydrangeas5/18/2009
  Q: I bought two hydrangea bushes and planted them and they have developed brown spots on them. Do you ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a link to Alabama Cooperative Extension Services which shows a ...
Calla Lily Amethyst5/18/2009
  Q: My first year planting flowers in my yard. I bought these Calla Lily plants to put by my front ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Calla lilies are not hardy in Ohio. You'll have to dig up the rhizomes in ...
asiatic lily's5/18/2009
  Q: I live in Miami,Fl. I just planted asiatic lily's in my garden. I like to know if they will rebloom ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Asiatic lilies are rated hardy from Zones 3-10 so you shouldn't have any ...
What will grow under lialic trees5/18/2009
  Q: We live in Zone 3. We have 15' lilac trees that surround our back yard making it very private. They ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Have you tried hostas? They are hardy to zone three and come in a variety ...
Azalea and Lilac5/17/2009
  Q: What kind of Azalea will survive in Nashua? Also, have you heard of a "Josee" lilac--4-6' tall and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Which Nashua or you talking about? New Hampshire? Iowa? Missouri? ...
Rubrum lily5/17/2009
  Q: I just got a Rubrum lily in a pot and would love to keep it but have no idea how to care for it. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The rubrum lily needs to be planted outdoors as it is not ideally a ...
grass in perennials5/17/2009
  Q: On a radio talk show I just caught the end where they were recommending (over the top two) to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Fluazifop-p-butyl is a selective herbicide for control of grass or ...
heat and plants5/17/2009
  Q: Do you have any ideas how to take care out side patio plants in a heat wave,I live in the bay ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Can you give me an idea of what type of plants you have? Generally, I'd ...
Spliting the Cala Lily Plant into other Plants5/17/2009
  Q: I live in Wichita, KS. I recently planted my cala lily outside a couple years ago, it blooms but has ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm in Kansas City. Yes, you can divide your calla lily. It's amazing it ...
Identifying flower by its seeds5/17/2009
  Q: We had a large organge flower in a bouquet which, when it shed its petals left the seeds behind. Can ...
  A: Thanx for your question. That's a tough questions but, if you will go to Google Images and type in ...
azalea care in Tucson AZ5/17/2009
  Q: I received a bright pink azalea as a gift. I have replanted it in a bigger pot. Is it possible to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Most azaleas received as gifts are called Florist's azaleas and most are ...
Yukka Filimentosa5/16/2009
  Q: In the spring our yukka plants looks overgrown with brown leaves along the base of the plant. There ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can safely cut off the brown, dried up leaves. The new plants growing ...
stella dora daylillies5/16/2009
  Q: Our stella dora daylillies have grown so big. We would like to either move them to a new area or ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to move and separate lilies is in the late summer or early ...
Perennials5/16/2009
  Q: I have two questions: (1) I saw in gardening magazines these little look a like trees that seem to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. 1). The plant you are describing sounds to me to be either a Rose of ...
CANNA FIREBIRD5/15/2009
  Q: HOW OFTEN DOES IT BLOOM & FOR HOW LONG?
  A: Thanx for your question. Cannas are not hardy in zones cooler than zone 7. So if you're in zone 6 ...
What perrenials would be best?5/15/2009
  Q: I live in northeast Tennessee. I have a 2 foot by 40 foot area in the front border of the house. It ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would suggest using hostas in your particular situation. They fill out ...
magnolias5/15/2009
  Q: i have been trying for 5 yrs to grow a jane magnolia.i have lost every one. i just bought onemore ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The 'Jane' Magnolia is one of the easier to grow magnolias. It will grow ...
Cala Lilly Care5/15/2009
  Q: I just planted 8 Cala Lillies and most are turning yellow and dying. I mixed planting mulch and ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. You can sprinkle the bone meal aroun dyour plants and it ...
Azaleas and Rhododendrons5/15/2009
  Q: I have just bought Miracle Gro soluble plant food and on the instructions it says you can use the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Of course rain water would be the best route to go but tap water ...
Verticillium wilt & vines5/15/2009
  Q: I live in Wichita and have been struggling with honeysuckle for 3 years. The plants I originally ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm in Kansas City. I think it is a good idea you are going to take some ...
Lillies5/14/2009
  Q: I have Asiatic lilies growing in my garden (foliage only) at this time, I was wondering if I could ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If at all possible, I would wait for them to bloom and let their stems and ...
IRIS5/14/2009
  Q: My Iris's are 5+years old. They are planted in a semi-shaded area. The problem is that they have not ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First, I'd get the irises out of a semi-shaded area and get them into full ...
Bleeding heart hanging basket5/14/2009
  Q: I recently bought a huge bleeding heart hanging basket. Not realizing, until after I purchased it, ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. You will not be able to leave the plant outdoors if it starts ...
cali lillies5/14/2009
  Q: This is a strange question but I have always loved cali lillies and recently I bought a simple ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The white outer structure you speak of is the calyx of the calla lily. ...
Magnolia Bush5/14/2009
  Q: I live in Southern Ontario Canada. I am interesting in getting a Magnolia bush. My soil is highly ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can reduce the acidity of your soil by adding lime. Have a soil test ...
calli lillies5/13/2009
  Q: they are so beautiful. if i were to buy a plant now, how long can i keep it in my house before ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, the colored callas only last a few weeks and then the foliage ...
Pixie Pink Italian Heather Plant5/13/2009
  Q: My mother received this plant for mother's day... With no instructions on how to care for it... We ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The Pixie Pink Italian Heather is Erica ventricosa. It is only hardy to ...
peter pan planting5/13/2009
  Q: I recently bought a beautiful plamt to spruce up my home to sell it,and we did now i love this lpant ...
  A: thanx for your question. Digging it up won't necessarily harm the roots if you are careful. Leave ...
wisteria5/13/2009
  Q: We have a beautiful old house in Boston with wisteria growing on an arbor on the back porch. In the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First of all, if wisteria is too shaded it will not bloom or it will bloom ...
Bleeding heart hanging basket5/13/2009
  Q: I recently bought a huge bleeding heart hanging basket. Not realizing, until after I purchased it, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think the bleeding heart you're talking about is a bleeding heart vine ...
Ground Cover5/12/2009
  Q: I live in Southern California (Ventura County Zone 10). There is a strip between my and my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here are some suggestions from the California Invasive Plant Council ...
Karl Foerster Grass5/12/2009
  Q: Tom I bought this as it was hardy for where I live in western Canada. I have seen it in peoples ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you gave it a tug an dit does not give at all my guess is the root ...
celosia ice cream mix5/12/2009
  Q: Do these come back year after year and how tall do they get?
  A: Thanx for your question. Celosis 'Ice Cream Mix' is an annual and a hybrid. Annuals do not come ...
Transplanted Rose of Sharon5/12/2009
  Q: we transplanted a 3-4 year old Rose of Sharon last fall when it went dormant. It has not yet begun ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sometimes Rose-of-Sharon and other members of the hardy hibiscus family ...
Calla lilies5/12/2009
  Q: I planted calla lilies in my garden this year. I am zone 7 and they are dark pink or purple. Do I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Dig your calla lilies up in the fall right after the first frost kills the ...
Hydranga Plant5/12/2009
  Q: I have a question for you? My son gave me a hydranga plant for Mother's Day. It is pink and very ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In general, the hydrangeas received on Mother's Day are florist-grade ...
cala lily plant5/11/2009
  Q: I just received a calla lily plant for mothers day..It says picasso on it.. Now it is in an ugly ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. For growing poinsettias and if you expect them to return to ...
Blue Dune Grass5/11/2009
  Q: I live in Central NJ and just purchased two great specimens of blue dune grass. I have a very ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. If you are really keen on trying this plant and you are ...
Ixora Maui Red5/11/2009
  Q: How do I know which zone I live in? I'm in the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas area. I saw these for sale at ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You are in Zone 8a (refer to the U.S. National Arboretum website map of ...
Red Twig Dogwoods5/11/2009
  Q: I have four red twig dogwoods I planted 2 weeks ago. They have doubled in size, starting out at ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Becayuse red twig dogwoods are grown more for their colorful ...
cala lily plant5/10/2009
  Q: I just received a calla lily plant for mothers day..It says picasso on it.. Now it is in an ugly ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant will go dormant soon. Wait for it to finish blooming and then ...
Cala Lilies5/10/2009
  Q: I live in Jacksonville, Florida and would like to start a cala lily garden. What type of soil should ...
  A: Calla lilies should be planted in average to above average soil (you can amend with well-composted ...
Blue Dune Grass5/9/2009
  Q: I live in Central NJ and just purchased two great specimens of blue dune grass. I have a very ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would not risk putting this plant in a well-manicured area. It will ...
bonfires5/9/2009
  Q: i'm just wondering about planting begonia bonfires. I took them out of a pot in November and placed ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Plant your begonias in rich, well draining soil. If the soil is in pots, ...
Perennials5/9/2009
  Q: Can you plant perennials in larger flower pots year after year with out having to transplant them ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can plant perennials in large pots. Just make sure that the pots ...
Hibiscus Tree5/9/2009
  Q: I removed my tree from the yard this past fall because a women told me that it would die if I left ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There is a tropical hibiscus which is not hardy anywhere in the U.S. ...
Canna Lilys Wilting5/8/2009
  Q: I planted tropicana canna lilys and the ones with the green leaves and red blossoms along my fence ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The washing machine runoff could very possibly be causing the problem. ...
honey suckle and roses5/7/2009
  Q: I have a climbing rose bush against an arbor. Can I plant a honey suckle vine on the inside of the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. honeysuckle can be very invasive and prone to taking over trellises, ...
Tree Fern, I think I may have killed it!!!5/7/2009
  Q: I have a large tree fern that blommed gorgeously 2 years ago, when winter came it lost it's green ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It's hard to say without seeing the plant. I would say if it hasn't ...
jasmine5/7/2009
  Q: I put my jasmine outside recently and it appears some animal is eating the leaves off of the stems. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you live close to a wooded area, even if you are in a city, it is ...
Weed-B-Gone and Peonies emergency5/7/2009
  Q: I have a few peonies that have been established and have flowered in the past. This year ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Hopefully, your peonies were well established and the Weed-B-Gone has not ...
peter pan planting5/7/2009
  Q: I recently bought a beautiful plamt to spruce up my home to sell it,and we did now i love this lpant ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Unfortunately, agapanthus is not reliably hardy in either New Jersey or ...
Seperating and transplanting Iris5/7/2009
  Q: I purchased a house that has a lot of iris. They have multiplied and I would like to know how to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can transplant iris most any time while it is not cold and freezing ...
How to help an injured Oriental Stargazer Lily5/7/2009
  Q: How are you? Here is my issue. My Stargazer bulbs were coming up beautifully, then while I was ...
  A: I'm fine and I hope you are doing well too. Thanx for your question. Depending upon how old your ...
Followup to Rose of Sharon identification5/7/2009
  Q: I tried to ask a followup q, but I already had too many. So this may be one of the ROS varities, ...
  A: Thanx for the picture. I'm pretty sure, based upon the appearance of the leaves and the buds that ...
Red Twig Dogwoods5/7/2009
  Q: I have four red twig dogwoods I planted 2 weeks ago. They have doubled in size, starting out at ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I live in Kansas and we get frequent, early blasts of warm air and then ...
moon plant5/6/2009
  Q: I have also started moon plants from seeds. They grow very quickly. I have called them moon plants ...
  A: I went back and looked at Google.image and unfortunately, it does show a lot of plants with hanging ...
Cala lily5/6/2009
  Q: I own some calla lily bulbs that I grow in containers and brought in for the winter in a sunroom. In ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. I think a couple of weeks above 50F would be sufficient for the calla. ...
Azaleas5/6/2009
  Q: I live in New Hampshire and bought a bunch of different azaleas and was wondering if all azaleas are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Azaleas are perennial shrubs. They should come back year after year. ...
Cala lily5/5/2009
  Q: I own some calla lily bulbs that I grow in containers and brought in for the winter in a sunroom. In ...
  A: thanx for your question. I would not put the calla lilies outdoors until the temperatures are ...
Night Bloomers5/5/2009
  Q: Years ago my mother was given some flower seeds, she was told they were called Texas Dandelions. She ...
  A: Take a look at these. http://www.kswildflower.org/details.php?flowerID=174 ...
shrubs that will grow in soggy soil5/5/2009
  Q: I have an area of my yard that holds moisture - even soggy if it gets too much rain, and can ...
  A: Sorry it took so long to get your question answered. Here are some ideas. Swamp maple, swamp ...
Hydrangea5/5/2009
  Q: I live in southwestern ontario and planted my hydrangea last fall I left the flowers on over the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you want blooms, do not cut any of the growing shoots. Prune only ...
moon plant5/5/2009
  Q: I have also started moon plants from seeds. They grow very quickly. I have called them moon plants ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think what you are talking about is Datura sp. otherwise known as ...
Dividing Four O'Clock Tubers5/5/2009
  Q: How do I divide huge Four O'Clock tubers? Can I just cut them with a knife into several smaller ...
  A: Thanx for your question. When dividing four o'clock tubers (Mirabilis jalapa), cut the tuber in ...
Rose of Sharon5/4/2009
  Q: My RofS is probably 10/15 years old. It has always been very pretty but now it is just not very ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I'm sorry the info didn't help in your search. However, I ...
Ground cover5/4/2009
  Q: Will Dwarf Juniper grow in partial 3 hrs daily, shade? Thanks
  A: Thanx for your question Juniperus procumbens (dwarf juniper) will grow in full sun to partial shade. ...
Hardy Hibiscus5/4/2009
  Q: I live about 1 hour south of Chicago. Last year I planted a hardy hibiscus that I wasn't so sure ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus moscheutos is hardy to zone 5 but it is one of ...
flower identification5/4/2009
  Q: The plant is hardy in Minnesota, it has large cabbage type leaves and blossoms early (tulip time) ...
  A: Thanx for your question. 1. How tall is the plant? 2. How large is the flower and how is it's ...
magnolia bush5/3/2009
  Q: over watered.I have a lot of mulch around it. Do I wait a few days before I water it again? ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you have a good amount of mulch around your tree, I wouldn't water it ...
lilac cuttings5/3/2009
  Q: I read on this site (written by Victoria back in 2001) that lilac cuttings should be placed in a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Personally, I would not put the bagged plant outdoors in the shade but we ...
plant depth5/2/2009
  Q: how deep do you plant bulbs such as lily, glads, sedum and sundrops?
  A: A rule of thumb for any bulb is go 3X as deep as the bulb. If the bulb is 3 inches in depth, plant ...
Pachysandra dying after many good years, why?5/2/2009
  Q: Tom, I live in the wooded country side of lower CT. I have loads of pachysandra growing healthy in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sounds like leaf blight but have a look at this link from Cornell ...
Growing tropical plants in temperate climate5/2/2009
  Q: Last summer we visited Europe. In Austria - Graz, to be exact - I noticed many gardens had banana ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are several varieties of banana that can be overwintered in some ...
frost hardy perennial for florida5/1/2009
  Q: I'm trying to find a good plant for the back side of my pool cage. This faces northeast and is ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I'd go with the oleander. It's easy to control, it blooms ...
Pests on Lilies5/1/2009
  Q: Last summer I noticed black 'spots' on the stems of my lilies. It looked like black bugs, but when I ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It sounds to me like one of the following. The black stuff ...
calla lily5/1/2009
  Q: I would like to know if it would be best to keep it indoors or can I plant outdoors?I would like to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Calla lilies are not hardy in Montana so I would keep this in a pot. ...
Magnolia bush4/30/2009
  Q: When is the best time to prune the magnolia bush. I notice that the blooms are sparce this year. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't know that I would want to prune a magnolia that is 6 years old. ...
how long purchased plants can go before planting4/30/2009
  Q: we bought many plants for our flowerbed, and it has been raining nonstop here and we cannot get them ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You should not leave the plants in the van for more than a day or two ...
Rose of Sharon4/30/2009
  Q: My RofS is probably 10/15 years old. It has always been very pretty but now it is just not very ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Rose-of-Sharon is Hibiscus syriacus and yes it is a hardy member of the ...
Daffodils4/30/2009
  Q: I have thousands of Daffodils and the foliage before they die down in hot weather is overwhelming ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It is best to wait until the leaves of your daffodils totally wither ...
my stella de oro daylilly is not blooming4/29/2009
  Q: my stella de oro daylilly is not blooming. I live outside of St. Louis, MO but actually live in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Every three years you should dig the plant up and divide it. That means ...
Shady border area4/28/2009
  Q: I have an area between lawn and adjoining woods that recieves about 1-2 hours of morning sunlight a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. For a shady area like you describe I'd like to add lily-of-the-valley, ...
Rhododendron4/28/2009
  Q: I moved into our home 3 years ago with some beautiful landscaping from years ago. The home was ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Check out all the branches on the shrub. Remove any that are dead or look ...
Potted mum4/28/2009
  Q: I live in zone 5 and purchased a mum of unknown variety this spring for Easter. It is happily in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Usually, when a plant has been forced to bloom, it takes so much energy ...
planting after applying insecticide4/28/2009
  Q: I applied Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub care with insecticide around a tree where I noticed ants had ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The insecticide is not harmful to plants in fact, the trees and shrubs ...
Bird of pardise/ Dessert Rose/ Hawaiian Flowers4/27/2009
  Q: My sister-in-law whom lives in Florida, just sent me a some Bird of paradise tree clippings, as well ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The white/red/yellow flowers for leis could be frangipani or plumeria. ...
Calla lilly4/27/2009
  Q: I have recently been given a lovely small calla lilly in a pot and am keeping it indoors. I am not ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The phenomenon that you are describing is called guttation and occurs as a ...
Pests on Lilies4/27/2009
  Q: Last summer I noticed black 'spots' on the stems of my lilies. It looked like black bugs, but when I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. What kind of lilies were infested? Did the spots appear anywhere else on ...
Elephant ears4/26/2009
  Q: How soon should we see foliage growth of Elephant Ears after planting the large bulb in our garden? ...
  A: If you live in a zone colder than Zone 7, do not plant the bulbs until the soil is consistently warm ...
Cast iron plants4/26/2009
  Q: I live in an hoa and we have a large stand of cast iron plants unerneath some old live oak trees. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I couldn't tell where you said you lived but I'm assuming if you have live ...
Bouganvilleas4/26/2009
  Q: Will Bouganvilleas do well in north/central Florida (near the Gainesville area)... I would love to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Bougainvillea are hardy to zone 9 and should survive in the Gainsville ...
Follow up to Hydranga question4/26/2009
  Q: If you buy a Hydranga will it turn colors if the soil allows?
  A: Thanx for your question. The hydrangea color will depend upon the acidity of the soil. The more ...
Mexican Heather4/25/2009
  Q: Will the deer eat this plant??
  A: Thanx for your question. The Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifola) is considered deer resistant ...
frost hardy perennial for florida4/25/2009
  Q: I'm trying to find a good plant for the back side of my pool cage. This faces northeast and is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. What specifically are you looking for? Border plants, herbaceous ...
replanting mums left in pots over the winter4/25/2009
  Q: I purchased and repotted mums in the fall. I left them in the pots over the cold winter. Can I now ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you left the mums in the pots their roots are probably dead. Pull the ...
pruning my hibiscus perennial4/24/2009
  Q: I have had a hibiscus perennial for 3 seasons now (I believe it is a herbaceous peonies)?? It is ...
  A: thanx for your question. It sounds like you have a hibiscus not an herbaceous peony. Hibiscus ...
pruning of Lilac4/24/2009
  Q: I bought a 5Ft Lilac bush last year and it did great the 1st year. A few weeks ago I trimmed it and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to prune lilacs is after they have finished blooming. Don't ...
transplanting irises4/24/2009
  Q: My next door neighbor gave me several iris plants 8 - 10" tall. I kept them in soil and watered ...
  A: Thanx for your help. I wouldn't cut off the leaves just yet. If they end up turning completely ...
Peruvian lilies/alstroemeria4/23/2009
  Q: I have very healthy looking Peruvian lilies but this year they are not flowering very much. Do you ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you are feeding with high nitrogen fertilizer you should discontinue ...
rhododendron4/23/2009
  Q: I live in a suburb of Atlanta, GA. One half of my large, white rhododendron is dying. Can it be ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. There are several possibilities for the problems you are ...
sunlight filter4/23/2009
  Q: I have an east-facing window in my bathroom (photo attached), and in the summer it really heats up ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Why not plant a small tree or shrub to the side of the window like a crape ...
New garden bed4/23/2009
  Q: I have a bed in my front yard where I grew roses and purple fountain grass and I want to change the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Slightly acidic soil will not be a detriment to any of the plants you ...
hydrangea4/22/2009
  Q: i live near Chattanooga Tennessee in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee my mop head hydrangea bush dies back ...
  A: Thanx for the followup information. According to the American Hydrangea Association you need to ...
Night Bloomers4/22/2009
  Q: Years ago my mother was given some flower seeds, she was told they were called Texas Dandelions. She ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Click on the link below and let me know if that is the plant. ...
my dead 6 feet long Dicksonia Antarctica4/22/2009
  Q: "Hi Tom! I am from Holland and over a period of some three years have planted a small forrest of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It is nice to hear from the Netherlands. I see this fern tree growing in ...
Azelia Plants4/21/2009
  Q: What are the nutrient and soil conditions needed for azaleas? Any other hints for culture would be ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Azaleas prefer acidic, moist but well-drained soil. There are some ...
Bogenvelias4/21/2009
  Q: I just bought two to place in my front planter because I was told they do well in full sun. Will ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I have seen bougainvillea growing quite well all over the Las Vegas metro ...
Lavender4/21/2009
  Q: I currently live in WA State where heather & lavender are grown abundantly. I have some of both in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Well, you are talking to a Kansan now. I am in the Kansas City area but ...
cape honeysuckle4/21/2009
  Q: I just purchased an orange cape honeysuckle. I am confused about it's invasive potential. does it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The cape honeysuckle, Tecoma capensis can be extremely invasive ...
Gardenia Question4/20/2009
  Q: I live in Pennsylvania and just got a gardenia for my birthday. I want to try to keep it as a house ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This really belongs in the Houseplant category. You can access that forum ...
Planting Clematis and Glads, Iris bulbs4/20/2009
  Q: I live in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Zone 5, I believe, When do I plant my blubs of Clematis, Glads, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think the last frost date in your area occurs between 4/20 and 5/1 so ...
Name of plant4/20/2009
  Q: I am trying to locate the name of a plant that has small yellow flowers similar to the shape of an ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I went to Google and then clicked on Images up in the far left hand corner ...
Transplanting a clamatis4/20/2009
  Q: I am moving & want to transplant my grandmothers purple clamatis to our new house.Both homes are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You should be close to your last frost date so I would say it is ok to ...
pruning in tucson4/20/2009
  Q: Returning to Seattle mid-may from Tucson and don't know what, when or how much to prune my lantana, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can really prune these shrubs any time you like but the best time is ...
Does purple wintercreeper look like jasmine?4/19/2009
  Q: I love the look of Asian jasmine, but unfortunately I can't grow it because the deer in my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Purple wintercreeper is a type of euonymous. I suppose the foliage might ...
hydrangea4/19/2009
  Q: i live near Chattanooga Tennessee in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee my mop head hydrangea bush dies back ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, the mophed hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is hard to Zone 6. ...
Whisteria4/19/2009
  Q: I purchased a young wisteria plant 2 years ago. Last year it produced approx 5 flowers, but as the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Has it been pretty cool in your part of Englnad lately? Wisteria are very ...
Stella Day Lily4/19/2009
  Q: I have had Stella de oro day lilies for about three years now. They were in full bloom evey year ...
  A: Thanx for your question. About every three years, you need to dig up your plants and separate them. ...
Lavender4/19/2009
  Q: I planted 8 lavender plants last summer on a rocky slope section of my perennial garden a year ago. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Many perennials will not bloom their first year if started from seed. ...
peony (unhealthry looking)4/19/2009
  Q: 4 yr old plant located at the end of an asparagus bed. My problem: This plant comes up every year ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You stated that the plant is at the end of a vegetable bed. Is there ...
Peony's4/18/2009
  Q: I sold my house and would like to take my peony plant. It is mid April now, can I transplant it ...
  A: thanx for your question. Yes, get the plant out of the ground now and transplant as soon as ...
Clamitis and shade loving plants4/18/2009
  Q: I live in PA and have a very had time growing plants in my front garden. It does not get sun until ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Pruning clematis depends upon which kind you have. I am posting a site ...
Elephant Ear type flower4/17/2009
  Q: I have a corner area that doesn't get much sun--mostly late afternoon sun, if at all. It also stays ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The Colocasia world (elephant ears) is packed with all kinds of ...
INSECT THAT INVADED MY WILLOW TREE4/17/2009
  Q: LAST YEAR IN OUR WILLOW TREE WE HAD AN INSECT I'D LIKE TO IDENTIFY,AND FIND A WAY TO GET RID OF IT. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm really not a tree expert but we do have a man on Allexperts, Jim ...
Burning Bush damage4/17/2009
  Q: I was in Florida for the winter and upon my return I find that the bark at the bottom of my burning ...
  A: It sounds like deer or rabbits got to your bush. If the bush is leafing out, I wouldn't worry about ...
Peonies - Have construction so must move in spring4/17/2009
  Q: Due to construction where established peony now resides, I must move it. I can wait until after it ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. If you have to move the plant now and there is no way you can ...
starting off4/17/2009
  Q: I know that with some plants you can take a part of the mature plant and start a new one. Is this ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The easiest method for propagating lavender is to dig up the plant and ...
Peonies - Have construction so must move in spring4/17/2009
  Q: Due to construction where established peony now resides, I must move it. I can wait until after it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you can move the peony now, it will probably have less adverse affects. ...
Planting perennials in April in N. Virginia4/17/2009
  Q: I have had lovely perennials shipped to us for our lakeside house that's for sale. I need to get ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I really doubt we're going to have any more freezing weather and if ...
Planting daffodil and tulip bulbs4/17/2009
  Q: I have tulip and daffodil bulbs that I didn't get planted in the fall. I am curious if I can plant ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, the best time to plant spring bulbs is in the fall before the ...
calalilly4/17/2009
  Q: Can you give me guidelines on how to care for cala lilly outdoors? I planted them in a sunny/shady ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It would appear to me that you are in USDA Zone 7. Unless ...
Pruning or Pinching my mums4/16/2009
  Q: I have asked this question many time to other people and no one seems to really know the answer. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As soon as you mums reach 6-8 inches tall start pinching them back and ...
calla lilies4/16/2009
  Q: Found your info helpful, but I still have a question about those yellowing leaves--my callas are in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yellowing leaves can be caused by a number of things. Too much water, ...
Re .Hydrangea ( sweet dreams)4/15/2009
  Q: How do I care for my Hydrangea. I live on Vancouver Island. Canada. Thanks Yvonne
  A: Thanx for your question. If your hydrangea is 'Sweet Dreams' it is a lacecap and what many consider ...
Tulip Bulbs4/15/2009
  Q: I live in Western KY in Zone 6 and I planted 50 Darwin Tulip bulbs in November. I did some in my ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I just thought it was odd that you are in the relatively ...
What should I do about Calla Lilies?4/14/2009
  Q: I live in San Jose, California and I have a Calla Lilies which bought from supermarket in Feb. 2009. ...
  A: Thanx for the additional questions. Yes, you will have to wait about three months because the plant ...
soil that is high in phosphorus4/14/2009
  Q: We have had our soil tested and it is extremely high in phosphorus. We would like to grow some ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I know your area well. I used to go through there every winter on my way ...
Stella De Oro Daylilies4/14/2009
  Q: I am new to Florida, a Gulf Coast Island off of Sarasota, and planted the Stella De Oro from fans I ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I thought the leaves were small and the flowers normal. ...
Red Hot Hibiscus4/14/2009
  Q: I live in Palm Beach County, FL. I am considering planting a hedge (50 ft.)around the perimeter of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I used to live up in NW Florida in Ft. Walton Beach. My brother and his ...
Growing Bulbs- Oriental Stargazer Lily, Stella D'Oro Daylily, Crimson Pirate Daylily, Gladiolus Nori4/14/2009
  Q: I am a first time gardener, so PLEASE HELP! I planted 14 bulbs of the Gladiolus Nori, 6 of the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You will not see the gladioli emerge from the soil until the soil and air ...
Stella De Oro Daylilies4/14/2009
  Q: I am new to Florida, a Gulf Coast Island off of Sarasota, and planted the Stella De Oro from fans I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would stop feeding the plants and deadhead them (cut off the blooms). ...
overwintered potted perennials when to put in ground4/13/2009
  Q: I have several potted perennials that were overwintered under a deciduous tree & mulched with hay.I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best rule of thumb is to plant perennials on or right after the last ...
Snowball Plant's lack of flowers4/13/2009
  Q: 3 years ago we received and planted a 6" bare root snowball bush. It was planted in a spot that gets ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In your zone, the plant needs 8 hours of full sun. Soil should be moist ...
Tulip Bulbs4/13/2009
  Q: I live in Western KY in Zone 6 and I planted 50 Darwin Tulip bulbs in November. I did some in my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the tulips in the planter in the backyard haven't come up yet, I will ...
Iris4/13/2009
  Q: I live in IL and my daughter and I planted two iris (for the first time) back in October of 08' in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I am in Kansas and my irises have been up for about a month are are still ...
Early Rising Irises4/12/2009
  Q: I'm new at gardening so please bear with me... I planted several iris bulbs in the early weeks of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Irises grow from a rhizome not a bulb. A rhizome is just a modified stem ...
What should I do about Calla Lilies?4/12/2009
  Q: I live in San Jose, California and I have a Calla Lilies which bought from supermarket in Feb. 2009. ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. The calla lilies are going dormant. Stop watering as often (maybe every ...
powerdery mildew4/12/2009
  Q: I am new to the KC area, to the midwest. What I believe is powerdery mildew has taken over my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm in KC too. One of the best ways to control powdery mildew is ...
tulips4/12/2009
  Q: My husband gave me a pot of six (bi-color) tulips. There was no instruction tab in the pot. I don't ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Unfortunately, the potted spring plants often presented to people for ...
Calla Lilly4/11/2009
  Q: I live in south Florida, I just purchased a plant and I am wondering where to plant it, does it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The calla lily likes well drained but not dried out soil and full sun but ...
Wisteria buds!!!4/11/2009
  Q: I have bought and planted a wisteria in my garden last spring. The plant was flowering abundantly at ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you were fertilizing the wisteria, don't use one that is high in ...
canna lillies4/11/2009
  Q: We had dozens of cannas growing on two sides of our house when we bought it last July. We are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you are in Southwest Missouri, you're most likely in Zone 6. Zone 6 is ...
can you id this plant?4/10/2009
  Q: This grows in Portland zone 8 OR on north side of house next to small pond with liner; full shade. ...
  A: Thanx for the great picture. That pretty much nailed it for me. I have this plant in my yard too ...
Honeysuckle4/10/2009
  Q: I purchased a Honeysuckle last season, repotted and placed them on my deck. Though it's still ...
  A: thanx for your question. I'm sorry it took so long to get to you. I live in Kansas too and my ...
Brown creeping phlox4/9/2009
  Q: I have a very nice large creeping phlox and we have just come out of our winter season (zone 5) and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The creeping phlox may have died over the winter if it is not green by ...
zebra grass4/9/2009
  Q: i just received two zebra grass starters, ordered thru school, it is middle of april, i live in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Wait until after the 15th of April and you should be able to safely plant ...
Evergreen trimming4/6/2009
  Q: I have a 7ft. evergreen by 4ft diameter. Can I trim it down to bare branches and much smaller ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This is really a tree question and we have a tree expert here on ...
Wisteria4/6/2009
  Q: I'm panicking! I live in Fairview Heights, IL. My wisteria was just a single stem about 4 years ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The sad truth for us in the Midwest and particularly those of us over ...
perennial morning glory?4/5/2009
  Q: i have been trying to get a hold of some perennial morning glories ever since i heard about them in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think you are referring to Ipomoea indica. It is a perennial morning ...
green,yellow & red bell pepers4/5/2009
  Q: Are they the same & just different stages of ripeness/
  A: Thanx for your question. This is really a question for the vegetable experts but I think I can ...
Astillbes4/2/2009
  Q: I have planted a dwarf astilbe plant in a sunny place for 3 years now, but it keeps dying. I have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Heuchera/Coral Bells will grow in shade, partial shade and full sun. When ...
honeysuckle vines4/2/2009
  Q: Is it safe to eat the nectar from honeysuckle vines like we did when we were kids?
  A: Thanx for your question. Honeysuckle flowers are safe to eat unless you have pollen allergies. If ...
my pretty pink calla lilies3/30/2009
  Q: I have a 12' potted calla lily plant that I want to keep alive and need your help to do so. Its in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This question has been answered a number of times and in the future you ...
Separating/re planting Cala lilies in AZ3/30/2009
  Q: I have read answers for other areas of the country, but I am not sure what to so here in AZ. The ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I used to live in Phoenix back in the Late 70s/early 80s. I also lived in ...
ornamental grasses3/30/2009
  Q: I have ornamental blue dune grass and ornamental reed grass. They are planted about 6-8ft from one ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The grass spreads by rhizomes so once it gets into other grass you will ...
Astillbes3/29/2009
  Q: I have planted a dwarf astilbe plant in a sunny place for 3 years now, but it keeps dying. I have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Astilbes prefer semi-shade and moist, slightly acidic soil. A sunny ...
Hypericum3/29/2009
  Q: We planted 4 hypericum in a sunny location last year, toward the end of summer. I can't remember ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to prune hypericum is late winter or early spring. Some ...
tiger lilies3/27/2009
  Q: Read your response to Paula my question is how soon can you re soil and replant? One area in the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I still believe Paula was talking about ditch lilies or wild day lilies. ...
Bogenvelia3/25/2009
  Q: 2 years ago my bogenvelia looked amazing, now there are very few leaves and even fewer buds. All of ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It sounds like caterpillars or aphids. Here's a link showing ...
cutting back plants and shrubs3/25/2009
  Q: I am a real neophyte when it comes to gardening. although I surround myself with plants indoors, I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Trim/prune rhodies and azaleas after they have bloomed but no later than ...
pink jasmine3/25/2009
  Q: what kind of potting soil is best to use for this plant when you trasplant them to a hanging basket
  A: Thanx for your question. Hyponex, Miracle Gro and Scotts are fine brands of potting soils to use for ...
stella dora seeds3/24/2009
  Q: How do i start stella dora from seeds..I haven't had luck trying.. Thanksy
  A: Thanx for your question. Stella d'oro seeds are not hard to start but they can be tricky. I have ...
Wedding-Daisies3/24/2009
  Q: I live in Vermont and would like to grow white daisies for my August 2009 wedding. I have read that ...
  A: Thanx for the follow up. More bad news. I didn't realize the fact that a gerbera daisy is a tender ...
Wedding-Daisies3/24/2009
  Q: I live in Vermont and would like to grow white daisies for my August 2009 wedding. I have read that ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You're going to be hard-pressed to find a daiy that will be blooming in ...
sweet broom3/24/2009
  Q: I bought some Sweet Broom plants at my local Home Depot yesterday. Now I realize that they are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It always ticks me off how some of these big box DIYs and even places like ...
Bogenvelia3/23/2009
  Q: 2 years ago my bogenvelia looked amazing, now there are very few leaves and even fewer buds. All of ...
  A: Thanx for your question regarding bougainvillea. Before I attempt to answer it can you tell me your ...
azelia3/23/2009
  Q: Why do my azelias produce a bud,but before it can blossem it turns brown and falls off? How do I get ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You keep your azaleas in pots and keep them indoors during the winter? ...
unknown seed3/23/2009
  Q: I just moved back into the home I grew up in, which has formerly been rented out. I found seeds on ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The seed sounds like seed from the malva family. It sounds like hollyhock ...
calla lilly3/22/2009
  Q: how to care for plant a d do you prune the flowers?
  A: Thanx for your question. The large white calla lily which is hardy to Zone 8 is Zantedeschia ...
unknown seed3/22/2009
  Q: I just moved back into the home I grew up in, which has formerly been rented out. I found seeds on ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This is not an easy question to answer. What is your general location? ...
Stella dora lilies3/21/2009
  Q: Can I split the plants to make more plants? If so, what time of year can I do this?
  A: Thanx for your question. You can separate your Stella d'Oro day lilies in the spring after the last ...
Milorganite3/20/2009
  Q: Tom, Someone mentioned to me that putting milorganite in a hole and sticking a new plant in with a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. By all means, please ask all the questions you want. That's what we're ...
Ground roses3/20/2009
  Q: I have a rock wall at our new home site. The landscaper put in azaleas and other evergreens. I put ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I know your area well. I used to go through there all the ...
Ground roses3/19/2009
  Q: I have a rock wall at our new home site. The landscaper put in azaleas and other evergreens. I put ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Can you give me your general location? Central Mississippi? Do you know ...
Milorganite3/19/2009
  Q: Tom, Someone mentioned to me that putting milorganite in a hole and sticking a new plant in with a ...
  A: Milorganite is just treated sewage sludge (I'm including a link from Cornell University). I think ...
Knee hi snapdragons3/19/2009
  Q: Tom, I bought some Knee hi snapdragons (although they were super hard to find) Anyhow I look online ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I take it you bought the "knee-hi" snaps at a nursery, already grown out. ...
How Tall Do Pot Mums Grow3/19/2009
  Q: I recently bought several Pot Mums to use as a CenterPiece and then to plant outside. I was ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Pot mums will generally stand about 15-18 inches tall. Some are not hardy ...
daylilies3/19/2009
  Q: For many years now, I have been trying to find the answer to my problem. Some, not all (in the same ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Is there any way you could show me a picture? What is your general ...
Digitalis purpurea 'foxy'3/16/2009
  Q: I live north of Fort Wayne, Indiana in zone 5. I have a line of mature pines extending east from my ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A biennial plant starts out life with all green growth the first year. ...
need help with this plant3/15/2009
  Q: I have an old fashioned perennial plant I got years ago. I does not flower, it comes up on a green ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant looks like a type of Arum. Can you tell me where you are ...
Zone 3 groundcover/rock plants3/15/2009
  Q: I need plants for two locations here in far north Minnesota (Zone 3). Both areas are partial ...
  A: I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you. Here are some ideas you asked after. Rockwall - rock ...
Scented perennials for a British climate3/15/2009
  Q: I am thinking of giving my garden a bit if a makeover. Could you suggest some scented perennials I ...
  A: I thank you for your patience and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Here is a short ...
dwarf plumbago3/15/2009
  Q: Tom: I live in Connecticut. Last year I planted some dwarf plumbago as a ground cover. Based upon ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It is always good to start feeding after the last frost as plant growth ...
Perennials3/15/2009
  Q: Looking for some good perennials for central valley of California. Trying to re-landscape after ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would concentrate on succulents and cacti for the evergreen look plus ...
Trumpet vine3/14/2009
  Q: How can I kill a trumpet vine that threatens to take over my entire world?? I cut it back and it ...
  A: Thanx for the followup. As long as you are careful to confine the Roundup to just around the ...
How To Care For My Indoor Rubrum Lily & Hyacinth3/14/2009
  Q: While helping out in the floral dept of my store for valentines day, I came across 3 beautiful ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, hyacinths and rubrum lilies have been forced and the plant is ...
Trumpet vine3/14/2009
  Q: How can I kill a trumpet vine that threatens to take over my entire world?? I cut it back and it ...
  A: thanx for your question. At the risk of taking on the ire of politically correct greenies, I swear ...
Pampas Grass3/13/2009
  Q: I have many many Pampas Grass plants and I would like to start more from the seeds - how do I do ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Pampas grass seeds can be harvested in the late fall from the feathery ...
Hybiscus transplanting3/10/2009
  Q: I have 6 Hybiscus (perennials) that are approximately 5-6 yrs old. Can I transplant them by digging ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can dig up your hibiscus and transplant. If these are hardy ...
Calla lillies3/10/2009
  Q: How long does it take for callas to sprout after being planted (potted) and adding water? Mine have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Bleeding heart and lilies of the valley usually start sprouting outdoor in ...
Day Lilies3/10/2009
  Q: I just purchased an older model home. The tenants were big time gardners they have day lillies ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Daylilies don't need a whole lot of fuss. I'm attaching a link for the ...
heuchera3/9/2009
  Q: Good Morning Tom !!! I planted heuchera last spring. The heuchera plants were essentially starter ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The heuchera should be fine. Give them a chance and they should start ...
Potted delphinium care3/7/2009
  Q: I just bought a potted delphinium at Target. It is truly lovely but I have NO experience with ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would plant the delphinium outdoors in a spot that gets full sun but is ...
rose of sharon3/7/2009
  Q: Every year my rose of sharon (I have two) have lots of buds, but just before the buds get ready to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Bud drop on Rose-of-Sharon's can occur for a variety of reasons. Check ...
yellow perennials3/4/2009
  Q: I traveled in Mexico and saw some wild yellow flowers on bushes. The guide said they are "yellow ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Copy the link below and let me know if this is what you are talking about. ...
sweet broom3/3/2009
  Q: I have had a couple of sweet broom plants and they flourish and look beautiful for a year or 2 then ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Can you describe for me please what happens to the sweet broom when it ...
coral tree3/3/2009
  Q: Can you tell me where I could find seeds for erythrina crista galli?
  A: Thanx for your question. I located one source that claims to have the seeds available now and there ...
oxalis deppei3/2/2009
  Q: we bought a pot of oxalis deppei about two weeks ago and now it starting to dry up. Is late winter ...
  A: Thanx for your question and greetings to Japan. Basically, this plant which is sold as the Good ...
when to plant bulbs and flowers3/1/2009
  Q: Im in need of some advice ,im selling our home in april and i would like to have some kind of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As soon as your ground is not frozen anymore, you may plant tulips, ...
pruning2/28/2009
  Q: When can I cut back lantanas, hibiscus, and eucalyptus? I want to cut out the dead branches on the ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can always cut back the shrubs you mentioned during the winter, late ...
cast iron plant2/27/2009
  Q: i have some cast iron plants that were given to me from on top of a mountain,they are really bad ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I take it these plants were replanted in the ground outdoors where you ...
starting a mail order and online nursery2/26/2009
  Q: My name is Angie Burns, and I'm a daylily enthusiast. I've been dreaming of selling my daylilies ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I asked you where you lived so I could give you a local contact with Texas ...
winter care2/25/2009
  Q: I have a few perennials in my garden. When winter hit, they of course died, but I was wondering if I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It's always wise to clean the garden up before the plants re-emerge in the ...
Repotting Calla Lillies2/25/2009
  Q: I got a small Calla lily around valentine's day. I noticed some yellowing starting this week and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the calla lily is not a white calla, it will eventually go dormant as ...
when to plant bulbs and flowers2/25/2009
  Q: Im in need of some advice ,im selling our home in april and i would like to have some kind of ...
  A: First can you give me a general location? Bulbs will flower at various times depending upon your ...
perennials2/25/2009
  Q: Tom, I'm wondering what perennials you would recommend for terrible conditions. I'm in Manitoba and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Check this link out below. There are a lot of plants you can look at that ...
Hardy Hibiscus2/23/2009
  Q: I had a landscape person plant Hardy Hibiscus last spring, and then this fall a new landscape person ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, absolutely. Your hardy hibiscus are A-OK. A friend of mine cuts his ...
Callas2/22/2009
  Q: Tom, Can you pls tell me if Calla's will grow in CT? I am trying to purchase bulbs for the first ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Calla lilies are not reliably hardy in Connecticut. You will have to lift ...
Fertilizing Clematis2/21/2009
  Q: When and what kind of fertilizer do I put on my Clematis. I have some 16-16-16 and some 20-12-8 both ...
  A: thanx for the followup. Sometimes I forget to ask people where they live and that gives me an idea ...
Water Hyacinth2/21/2009
  Q: The water hyacinth in our pond garden in the Minneapolis MN area are getting black spots year after ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The black spot is most likely a fungal infection. I know of no methods ...
Mixed flowers planting2/20/2009
  Q: I am about to make a circular raised planting area around a flagpole. I was recently got some ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm in the Kansas City area so we have similar growing conditions. I ...
25-5-30 Fertilizer2/18/2009
  Q: Tom, Do you know of any company that sells 25-5-30 fertilizer? I have exhausted my search for this ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I am sorry it took so long to get back to you. I have looked everywhere ...
How to keep Calla lilies alive2/17/2009
  Q: My boyfriend bought me Calla Lilies for Valentines Day. They came in a vase with two leaves and two ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I fthe leaves are not connected to the flowers and there is no corm (bulb) ...
gardenia2/16/2009
  Q: I WAS JUST GIVEN A GARDENIA PLANT AS A GIFT. I LIVE IN ZONE 6. ALL I KNOW ABOUT THE PLANT IS I HAVE ...
  A: Thanx for your question. As you know, the gardenia is not hardy outdoors in Zone 6 but you can put ...
perrenials and lawns2/15/2009
  Q: i need to find a low maintenance plant or shrub, that flowers all year round and maybe has a nice ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Getting grass to grow under and directly around pine trees can be a ...
stella d'oro lilies2/15/2009
  Q: How do I split established stella d'oro lily plants and transplant them elsewhere in the garden? ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Separate your stella d'oros after the last frost in the spring. The fans ...
hibiscus2/13/2009
  Q: my hibiscus got frozen, they look dead, how do I know if they are, and should I cut them down. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you're in Ormond Beach, the hibiscus should recover. As long as the ...
Calla Lily Help2/12/2009
  Q: We have calla lilies growing in the back yard. Usually this time of year in Northern CA they are a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the climate is unusually drier this year, you may consider deep ...
transplanting mums2/11/2009
  Q: When is the best time to transplant mums? I still have in the ground mums from last fall. Do we ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best time to transplant mums is in the spring after the last hard ...
Fertilizing Clematis2/9/2009
  Q: When and what kind of fertilizer do I put on my Clematis. I have some 16-16-16 and some 20-12-8 both ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Use a fertilizer high in phosphorous on your clematis. Fertilizers are ...
Early wisteria buds2/9/2009
  Q: I live in Southern California about 10 miles from the coast. We have mild winters and warm summers. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sorry to be late getting back to you. I had to go out of town ...
Frozen Gardenia2/8/2009
  Q: Help! Tuesday, I purchased a potted gardenia, good healthy foliage and tight buds, and a hyacinth, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The hyacinth is probably history and it sounds like the gardenia is too ...
hibiscus outdoor2/4/2009
  Q: My lovely hibiscus keeps dropping beautiful buds.Why? it is outdoors as we live in a most lovely ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons why hibiscus experience bud drop. One is ...
Rose of sharon (very tall)1/29/2009
  Q: I have read as much as available on pruning Rose of Sharon. None of the recommendations seem to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Rose of Sharon are very resilient. You may cut the trunks down to three ...
Clematis1/24/2009
  Q: I have two plants growing. They look like they are now getting buds on them. Lots of dead leaves ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. It sounds like you have repeat bloomers which will bloom into ...
Clematis1/23/2009
  Q: I have two plants growing. They look like they are now getting buds on them. Lots of dead leaves ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Clematis occur in 3 basic types, spring blooms, summer and fall bloomers ...
why bouganvillea not flowering1/22/2009
  Q: I live in auckland new zealand and have a very healthy looking bourgainvillea but it does not ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I need to know what kind of weather conditions you are having. Living ...
Hybiscus Plant1/20/2009
  Q: I have a hybiscus plant that I keep indoors. During the summer months, I put the plant outside. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You can control houseplant pests by using insecticidal soaps and/or ...
Hawaii1/17/2009
  Q: Which flowers will not grow in Hawaii? Daisies? Snapdragons? Or will every kind of flower grow in ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Most perennials that grow on the Mainland require a dormant period. This ...
magnolia tree/bush1/14/2009
  Q: my question is about a magnolia that i bought for my mother-in-law 2 years ago. this bush/tree, i ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Even though this small tree is rated to zone 4, its flowers unfortunately, ...
Hybicucs1/13/2009
  Q: Calif. the leaves are turning yellow. out door plant. Am I watering to much?
  A: Thanx for your question. You're in California and you have a hibiscus growing outdoors with ...
when to plant wisteria1/12/2009
  Q: I live in Tennessee and am going to plant one or two plants next to a post of my pergola. I want it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a site I think you will find helpful. ...
re planting bouganvillas1/10/2009
  Q: Is it possible to cut from my huge bougainvillea tree to re plant them into new pots without a new ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In the spring, take 6" cuttings of green wood. Cut them at the joint ...
Spring Flowers1/10/2009
  Q: In zone 5, most spring flowers are yellow or white. I have always wondered what is the reason for ...
  A: I never really thought about the colors. I'm not aware of any particular studies but like I said, ...
Fertilizing1/8/2009
  Q: When do I start applying fertilizer to my Fuchsias that are wintering in my greenhouse?
  A: Thanx for your question. Begin fertilizing your fuchsias just slightly before your last frost when ...
Spring Flowers1/8/2009
  Q: In zone 5, most spring flowers are yellow or white. I have always wondered what is the reason for ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It must just be your perception. Spring flowers run the gamut of colors. ...
flower name how to get seeds1/1/2009
  Q: can not spell name remember it as an army brat grown in alps songs about it eldeviss growns high ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I believe the flower you speak of is the edelweiss, an alpine, low-growing ...
Pyracantha12/31/2008
  Q: I have a pyracantha tree and it is attracting lots of birds daily. They are making my tree very ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There's not much you can do to keep birds out of your tree. I doubt that ...
princess lilies12/28/2008
  Q: I live in east Tenn.,fearing a big freeze I dug them up in huge clumps, dirt & all.They are now ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The princess lily which is a cultivar of Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily) is ...
flying gnats12/27/2008
  Q: Help, please, I have over 50 houseplants. My mother-in-law passed away a few months ago and now I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This question really should go to the experts in the Houseplants forum but ...
crab grass in my daylily12/15/2008
  Q: A large clump of crabgrass has taken over one of my stella d'oro daylilies. The daylilies are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Dig up the whole clump and remove the crab grass, replant and give it some ...
Potted indoor Azalea12/12/2008
  Q: I have a mixed potted basket of plants consisting of a fern, Kalenchoe and a purple Azalea. All ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This is really a houseplant question but I think I can still answer it. ...
Perennials in Southwestern Ontario12/9/2008
  Q: Need suggestions of what to plant that are not poisonous to horses,cats and dogs.Have 350Ft. of ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You raise a pretty tall order. First of all, dogs and cats, in my ...
overgrown hibiscus12/8/2008
  Q: We have what MAY have been a well-behaved hibiscus "hedge" (south Florida) at the back of our new ...
  A: Thanx for your question. At the risk of not being politically correct, I always say get out the old ...
bogenvelia vine/plant; kousa dogwood; pyracantha12/5/2008
  Q: if possible,it would be great to "winter" our beautiful fushia colored bogenvelia which did ...
  A: The best time to prune bougainvillea is in the winter as it goes dormant. You can prune it back to ...
Stella De Oro12/2/2008
  Q: I live in Birmingham Al. (Zone 7) I have been very disappointed with the Stella De Oro day lily. I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't have any experience with Happy Returns but from reading about it, ...
overwintering canna lilies12/2/2008
  Q: I live in the Poitou Charente region of France. I am certain that the town display Cannas are not ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This is the place where the Battle of Poitiers and Charles Martel stopped ...
clematis vines11/30/2008
  Q: I live in southern in. Should I cut the vine back during the winter or leave the vines on the fence?
  A: Thanx for your question. Any pruning or cutting back should be done in the late autumn. Now would ...
wintering a potted hydrangea11/27/2008
  Q: I have a hydrangea that I pulled out of the trash last spring. I repotted it and set it out under a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The type of hydrangea you describe is most likely a florist-grade type of ...
daylillies11/22/2008
  Q: Last spring I planted a garden of reblooming dwarf daylilies. They were all planted from ...
  A: Thanx for the followup. I always stop feeding in late summer or very early autumn. Start feeding ...
daylillies11/22/2008
  Q: Last spring I planted a garden of reblooming dwarf daylilies. They were all planted from ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sometimes daylilies won't bloom the first season after being planted. ...
Hybiscus Problem11/18/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a potted hibiscus that I keep on my kitchen ledge. I have a had a problem with ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I think what you are describing are spider mites. Purchase a miticide ...
hibiscus plant11/16/2008
  Q: I live in Toledo,Ohio, and I have a hibiscus plant that lives outside in the summer, but I bring it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First, please accept my condolences on the passing of your father. I have ...
hibuscus11/14/2008
  Q: I live in southwest Missouri near the Arkansas border and have a hibuscus tree and also a plant ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I take it that the hibiscus is a tropical plant that has been planted in ...
Lillies11/13/2008
  Q: My Lilies are now starting to die naturally. How do I prepare to get them to grow again ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would just cut the stalk down to an inch or two above the soil and the ...
candytuff11/11/2008
  Q: I have to move a large bed of candytuff and it is Nov.will it live and how much do I need to cut ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. You should be okay in Zone 7 to move your candytuft now but ...
Tulips bulbs & squirrels11/10/2008
  Q: I live in Ottawa and just planted my tulip bulbs. I want to know what are my options to prevent ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The best deterrent to squirrels I know of is to place a sheet of chicken ...
Carolina Jasmine11/6/2008
  Q: I have these growing along my back fence. Some are starting to turn brown and dead looking. I have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You didn't say whether you noticed any insects on it or not so I'm going ...
Bt11/4/2008
  Q: What is the Bt you recommend for use against the caterpillar's on the datura?
  A: Thanx for your question. Bt is a natural insecticide, rather it is a parasitic organism (Bacillus ...
Winterizing my garden11/3/2008
  Q: I live in Cincinnati, Ohio (zones 5-6) and will love to know the exact way to winterize my garden. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I was just in your city back in August and I have been there several ...
winterizing Dahlia in Zone 8a10/29/2008
  Q: I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and I am wondering how I should winterize my Dahlia. I should also ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Dahlias are hardy in USDA Zones 7-11. I live in a cooler zone and I let ...
bogenvelia vine/plant; kousa dogwood; pyracantha10/29/2008
  Q: if possible,it would be great to "winter" our beautiful fushia colored bogenvelia which did ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Many people overwinter bougainvillea indoors successfully. I've done it ...
Mums10/28/2008
  Q: Hey there. I live in zone 7(VA) and I wanted to know more about mums. I just bought 2 fabulous ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Mums will come back if you plant them correctly and take care of them ...
calalily bulbs10/28/2008
  Q: I have grown my first Calilily plant this year and have noticed a set of large pods that have come ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The pods you describe are probably seed pods and once they have dried and ...
Calla lilies10/27/2008
  Q: I live in Vancouver, British Columbia and have a deciduous pink Calla lily that is just finishing ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you want to try the seeds, allow the pod to dry up and then you can ...
wisteria10/26/2008
  Q: i have been researching the different varieties if wisteria and i'm finding it difficult to decide ...
  A: Thanx for the follow up. If your preference is for the flowers to all open up at once, I would ...
Rhoododendron10/25/2008
  Q: I purchased this plant along with other large bushes (Brouwer's Pieris) 3 wks. ago from Hicks; I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. When planting shrubs, always plant them a little deeper than they were in ...
boxwoods and clematis plants10/24/2008
  Q: Two partI planted many boxwoods around my patio and I would like to know how to maintain them. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Here is a link to Virginia Tech which has some excellent information ...
hibiscus10/24/2008
  Q: My hibiscus grows wonderfully and gets LOTS of buds, but they fall off before they open. What ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Usually, bud drop is the result of culture or environmental condition and ...
wisteria10/24/2008
  Q: i have been researching the different varieties if wisteria and i'm finding it difficult to decide ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First, the Japanese Wisteria (W. floribunda) are more fragrant than the ...
Mums10/22/2008
  Q: ...I have hardy mums that come up every year. They are quite beautiful and really large. However, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. About every third year, you should dig up the mum mound in the spring, ...
Yucca bugs10/22/2008
  Q: I have the same problem as Karen who wrote you previously about 1000's of black bugs on her yuccas. ...
  A: I don't know that Sevin will hurt the yucca. I doubt it but Merit and Orthene are the pesticides ...
daylilly rust10/22/2008
  Q: I have found that my daylilly's have rust. My question is should I now get rid of these plants, or ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would not give your father any of your daylilies. Here is a link to ...
Variegated Ginger Lily10/20/2008
  Q: Will this plant live over the winter in Zone 8? ANSWER: Hi Mary Jo, Thanx for your question. If ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Even though the plant is called Lily of the Nile there is some ...
Harvesting Moon Plant Seeds10/20/2008
  Q: This is the first year I have had a moon plant. It is a beautiful plant and I would like to have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant you describe as a moon plant is also known as jimsonweed, ...
Rudebekia10/20/2008
  Q: I live in Seattle, Wa. Can you tell my why my rudebekia plants did not flower this year? It was ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Did you fertilize your plants? Be careful fertilizing flowering plants ...
Variegated Ginger Lily10/19/2008
  Q: Will this plant live over the winter in Zone 8? ANSWER: Hi Mary Jo, Thanx for your question. If ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, agapanthus will overwinter in Zone 8. Some varieties are hardy to ...
anthuriums10/17/2008
  Q: i have an anthurium plant that has been with me for quite sometime. recently, it had some blooms ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like the plant is rootbound. I would remove it from where ...
Zone 7 flower for large area for fall10/17/2008
  Q: I have a large area (about 300 sq feet) that now has wildflowers; I would like something other than ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Unfortunately, the selections I gave you will fade once you ...
Zone 7 flower for large area for fall10/16/2008
  Q: I have a large area (about 300 sq feet) that now has wildflowers; I would like something other than ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of plants that will fit this bill for you. Datura ...
Moon Plant Legality10/15/2008
  Q: I heard that Moon Plants are illegal in some states. Do you know about this?
  A: Thanx for your question. By moon plants, I'm going to assume you're talking about jimsonweed, ...
seed pods on daylilies10/14/2008
  Q: I have seed pods on my lilies. I wouid like to when to cut them off,how to store them,and when to ...
  A: Thanx for you question. Some folks say start up whenever and others say to stratify. I've done it ...
hibiscus10/11/2008
  Q: I live in Michigan and don't know how to take care of plant in the fall as winter approches
  A: Thanx for your question. If you have a tropical hibiscus, it should be brought indoors and kept ...
Variegated Ginger Lily10/11/2008
  Q: Will this plant live over the winter in Zone 8?
  A: Thanx for your question. If you are talking about Alpinia zerumbet, then the root is hardy to zone ...
Peony, Hydrangea & Clematis10/10/2008
  Q: I live in SouthEast Michigan and would like to know what besides mulching should be done to ...
  A: thanx for the additional information. Here's what the Missouri Botanical Gardens of St. Louis ...
yucca plants10/9/2008
  Q: I have many yucca plants. 2 plants are invaded with 1000's of small black bugs with red heads. They ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Sounds like a yucca bug to me. ...
Peony, Hydrangea & Clematis10/8/2008
  Q: I live in SouthEast Michigan and would like to know what besides mulching should be done to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First, I would not do much trimming on the hydrangea except to remove dead ...
Australian Fern Tree10/7/2008
  Q: I purchased a 5' Australian fern tree mid-September from a local nursery. I planted it a few days ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm going to assume you are either in South Florida or Southern ...
Perrenial Ideas needed10/7/2008
  Q: I have a small plot of garden next to my air conditioner. See attached. My problem is that these ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I have thought about this for several days now and I have to tell you, I am ...
Rose of Sharon10/7/2008
  Q: I live in northwest Ohio. When is the best time ti trim Rose of Sharon bushes/trees?
  A: Thanx for your question. With most flowering shrubs, the best time to prune is right after ...
miniature roses10/7/2008
  Q: last spring i bought a miniature rose plant and put it in my office. It had lots of flowers when I ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons why your rose won't bloom. I've included a ...
planting daylilly seeds in Missouri10/6/2008
  Q: A friend just gave me some seeds from her daylillies. What is the best way to plant them?
  A: Thanx for your question. Right after Christmas, place the seeds in a damp paper towel, seal it in a ...
asiatic lily/shasta daisy/thread leaf coreopsis10/5/2008
  Q: The gardening center said they would do good in part shade. They were flowering but now have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Now is a good time of year to clean up the flower beds and cut away and ...
cutting back perennials10/5/2008
  Q: I live in zone 4 region (Colorado about 6,000ft elev. A relatively new garden, everything was ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, you can cut your perennials back to a few inches above the ...
Wintering of POTTED perennials10/4/2008
  Q: I have several hibiscus, roses, clematis in pots as we were anticipating a move. Now it is almost ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You didn't mention what zone you are in so I'm going to wing it here. If ...
Ixora Maui10/1/2008
  Q: I live in Zone 8 and I recently acquired an Ixora Maui. I placed it in direct sun and it looked ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The plant doesn't like a lot of direct sunshine. A little morning sun is ...
Plants and Butterflies10/1/2008
  Q: I Live in LasVegas Nevada. I got bought a pack of mix wildflowers seeds with Anuals and Perennials ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. 1. I cannot tell you what kind of butterflies will be in your Las ...
Dianthus Planting9/28/2008
  Q: I have multiple dianthus flowers. I want to be able to share the seeds from the plants I have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. After the plant blooms it will leave behind a seedpod. Allow it to drop ...
Hardy Fuschia9/28/2008
  Q: I am looking for something to plant along the west side of the house which is mostly part sun. Is it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Usually, if you don't see a plant sold around your city, especially a ...
Calla Lilie pods9/27/2008
  Q: I had to cut off the pods from my callas lilie plants. I would like to know how to store them and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If you did not allow the pods to dry completely, the seed will not be ripe ...
Calli Lillies9/27/2008
  Q: We have planted a beautiful white giant calla Lilly and have had 5 lovely blooms on it, then it ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would bring the potted plant indoors. I don't think it will survive in ...
Rose of Sharon9/27/2008
  Q: I have a 3yr rose of sharon tree/bush. I didnt' realize until this year that I should be pruning it ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. One thing I forgot to mention, when you put the unopened buds ...
sweet broom9/26/2008
  Q: i have 2 sweet brooms growing next to each other they are 3to4 yrs old. they have been growing ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you. I would like ...
Rose of Sharon9/26/2008
  Q: I have a 3yr rose of sharon tree/bush. I didnt' realize until this year that I should be pruning it ...
  A: There are a number of reasons why your rose-of-sharon buds didn't open. If you had an unusually dry ...
Plants and Butterflies9/26/2008
  Q: I been growing two types of flowers and three types of fruit/veggies in my front yard strawberries, ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In general, butterflies are not attracted to the small flowers on ...
sweet broom9/23/2008
  Q: i have 2 sweet brooms growing next to each other they are 3to4 yrs old. they have been growing ...
  A: Thanx for your question. The reason I asked for your location is I had a Scotch broom question from ...
cyclamens9/22/2008
  Q: are cyclamens perennials or annuals
  A: Thanx for your question. Cyclamens are perennial although some may be treated as annuals due to lack ...
hardy hibiscus9/21/2008
  Q: hopefully you can help me - I have a hardy hibiscus that has been planted in the same southeastern ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I don't think there is anything wrong with your plant. It is September ...
Oxalis deppei "Iron Cross" winter care9/21/2008
  Q: Last April, I purchased a Buzzy Seeds Lucky Clover Grow Kit containing three bulbs of what I've ...
  A: Thanx for your question. A lot of people safely grow plants rated for warmer zones. I've done it ...
Jasmine Green Beans ??9/21/2008
  Q: My jasmine is the type with fragrent flowers and I'm training it to grow on some wire on my fence. ...
  A: The green beans you describe are seed pods. Thanx for your question. If this plant is Stephanotis ...
Hydrangeas - when to cut back?9/20/2008
  Q: I live in South Jersey and I have 2 hydrangeas that are in the front of my home. Last year around ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. Cutting the hydrangeas back to the ground is too severe and is the cause ...
Creeping Fig9/19/2008
  Q: Just how difficult is it to get rid of? I had landscaping done two years ago and had no idea how ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. Yes, the roots will continue to produce new plants, as will ...
What is it?9/19/2008
  Q: I have a plant that hs green spears that grow (similar to Gladiolas) and a long stem (2 feet) that ...
  A: Thanx for the question and a million thanx for the picture. The plant is called an agapanthus. It ...
What is it?9/18/2008
  Q: I have a plant that hs green spears that grow (similar to Gladiolas) and a long stem (2 feet) that ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This is a potted plant you received? How long did the plant bloom? When ...
Weeds and compost9/18/2008
  Q: Should I put compost in and around my plants now or wait till spring? Also, can I kill nasty creepy ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Generally, you don't want to fertilze at the end of the growing season ...
Forcing Tulips?9/17/2008
  Q: I have some tulips that I bought from Wal-Mart last spring and when they died back I cut the stems ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If I understand you correctly, you allowed the tulips to die back which I ...
lupine9/17/2008
  Q: I work at a small nursery. We used to grow lupine from seed with great results. Then we bought ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like either Fusarium wilt or root rot to me. Did you check the ...
coral yucca & day lilies9/16/2008
  Q: I have 2 questions for you. The first one is about 2 coral yucca plants that I was given last year. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the plants are healthy, it's kind of hard to say why they're not ...
Miscanthus Sinensis 'Huron Sunrise'9/16/2008
  Q: I live in Southern Connecticut, Zone 6a, and would like to use Miscanthus Sinensis 'Huron Sunrise' ...
  A: Thanx for your question. This ornamental grass will self-seed in warm, wet climates (mostly the ...
Hostas9/16/2008
  Q: I have some Hostas that look ok when the flower stems are growing above the plants, and some that ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Cutting the flower stems will not adversely affect the hosta. In fact, by ...
Hydrangia Limelight9/15/2008
  Q: My (2) 2 mo old Limelights had great flower balls but they are going by (Sept 15 in Zone 3 - ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like there is too much moisture in the ground. Watering ...
Flower Identification9/8/2008
  Q: I have a flower that is growing in my garden that I would like to know what it is. It was grown ...
  A: Thanx for your question. You have a hybrid dahlia. It grows from a tuber. If you don't live in a ...
lycoris, pink magic lily9/8/2008
  Q: I am starting the process of digging 4 large clumps with about 10 bulbs per clump from a neighbors ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Pink magic lilies also know regionally as: naked ladies, resurrection ...
help with planting a flower garden9/7/2008
  Q: As you enter our house to the left is an area that has a couple of birds of paradise. There has been ...
  A: Thanx for your question. One of the things everyone in Southern California should consider is the ...
Clematis9/7/2008
  Q: WE have a septic field in our back yard. M<y wife wanted to have some vines and chose Clematis. As ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, I would go ahead and move the clematis so their roots won't endanger ...
calla lilly pest9/7/2008
  Q: Tom, i have a green goddess calla lilly that has developed a weird parasite. the "thing" is about ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. This sounds like spider mites but you can't see them without ...
calla lilly pest9/5/2008
  Q: Tom, i have a green goddess calla lilly that has developed a weird parasite. the "thing" is about ...
  A: Thanx for your question. That is odd that it does not move. Is there anyway you can send me a ...
tiger lillies9/4/2008
  Q: Another question for the master. Can I cut my tiger lillies and daylillies back now (the fall) and ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Now is a good time to cut back the lilies. They have had enough time to ...
Rhododendron dying, flowers dried on the plant9/3/2008
  Q: I have a nice-size rhododendron that I transplanted in the fall 2 years ago from an area under some ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. The only other possibility for me is this information I ...
Wisteria9/2/2008
  Q: I have a mature well developed Wisteria in my garden. For all the years I have had it,not a single ...
  A: Thanx for your question. First of all, if you're using a high nitrogen fertilizer or Miracle Gro, ...
gardenia9/2/2008
  Q: I have a gardenia in a pot on my back patio (I don't think it will overwinter here in Central ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I've never heard of the condition you describe so I had to do some ...
calalilies9/2/2008
  Q: I have white calalilies that are about 12 years old and have always bloomed, though not ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Make sure the soil is not soggy but well draining. The soil should not be ...
Rhododendron dying, flowers dried on the plant9/2/2008
  Q: I have a nice-size rhododendron that I transplanted in the fall 2 years ago from an area under some ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Check the soil. If should be moist but not soggy. Rhododendrons don't ...
Transplant Clematis9/1/2008
  Q: My neighbor is moving & has offered me her beautiful plant. But, I'm live in the Stockton, CA. Hot ...
  A: Thanx for your question. We have hot summers where I live too but we still grow clematis so I would ...
Stella Dora Daylillies8/30/2008
  Q: The gardening center said they would do good in part shade. They were flowering but now have ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. If I'm understanding your question correctly, the plants ...
fuschias8/29/2008
  Q: Tom I have some volunteer fuschias in my back yard and I would like to keep them, but would like to ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Fuchsias are beautiful plants in splendid colors. They do not do well in ...
hibiscus leaves looking anemic8/29/2008
  Q: I live in Gilbert Arizona where the summer temperatures average triple digits from June through ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I lived in Phoenix back in the late 70s. I'm going to have to disagree ...
Dividing a rose of sharon8/28/2008
  Q: Is it possible to divide an established Rose of Sharon? If so how?
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, it is possible to divide an established Rose-of-Sharon tree/shrub. ...
stella d'oro daylillies and other types of yellow daylillies8/28/2008
  Q: How do I groom day lillies? I have several planted. They bloom at first and then they get "stalks" ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Deadhead Stella D'oros as soon as they have finished blooming to encourage ...
Brugmansia (Angels Trumpet)8/26/2008
  Q: My neighbour who does not have a computer asked me to see if I could find out why the leaves on her ...
  A: Thanx for your question. There are a number of reasons the leaves are turning yellow on your ...
Books8/26/2008
  Q: As a beginner to gardening are there any books you would recommend I get? I live in NH. I know ...
  A: Thanx for your question and I'm sorry it has taken me so long to answer. I thought and thought ...
baby lily bulbs8/24/2008
  Q: I have some baby tiger lily bulbs that I ordered. They have sprouts. In one of your answers, you ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I would put the pot in an unheated garage or basement or on a porch where ...
calla lillies8/24/2008
  Q: Is it possible to harvest the pods that comes from the inside of the calla blooms?
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can harvest seeds from the seedpod that results after the calla ...
Stella D'Oro Day Lillies8/23/2008
  Q: I have lovely blooms in early summer but I don't get any more blooms after that. I deadhead the old ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. You may have a grubs or moles eating the rhizomes. Daylilies ...
Pots8/23/2008
  Q: Can you suggest some plants for outdoor pots that don't require a lot of watering? ANSWER: Hi ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I highly recommend that you look at High Country Gardens which is a ...
Stella D'Oro Day Lillies8/22/2008
  Q: I have lovely blooms in early summer but I don't get any more blooms after that. I deadhead the old ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Depending upon your zone the Stella D'Oros will bloom profusely for a ...
Creeping Fig8/21/2008
  Q: Just how difficult is it to get rid of? I had landscaping done two years ago and had no idea how ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. A lot of times the weed and feed combinations for lawns will ...
Creeping Fig8/20/2008
  Q: Just how difficult is it to get rid of? I had landscaping done two years ago and had no idea how ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, the creeping fig is difficult to conquer. Use Roundup on it over and ...
daylillies8/20/2008
  Q: I divided and transplanted several stella d'oro daylilles. I dutifully trimmed the fans and have ...
  A: The reason the Stellas don't perk right back up is they are probably starting the process of going ...
daylillies8/20/2008
  Q: I divided and transplanted several stella d'oro daylilles. I dutifully trimmed the fans and have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Don't expect any greatness from your stellas now that you have trimmed and ...
japanese lilac tree8/19/2008
  Q: I am considering having a landscaper plant 2 japanese lilac trees, one at each corner of the front ...
  A: Thanx for your question. My references tell me that Japanese lilac trees can be used as wind ...
snowball bush8/19/2008
  Q: We recently purchased a "snowball bush" and it was healthy. Now it looks like it has bugs or is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In order to make a decent diagnosis I'm going to have to ask you to be a ...
Torch Lilies8/18/2008
  Q: I live in zone 9 (central FL)and have many torch lilies and have been anticipating their blooming. ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. When I first grew torch lilies from seed I would lose them in ...
Potted lavender plant8/17/2008
  Q: We have a lovely, relatively healthy lavender plant that is potted in a glazed ceramic pot. We've ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Lavender benefit from direct sun and at least 6-8 hours. Yours isn't ...
Sweet Broom (cytisus spachianus08/17/2008
  Q: We planted a 2 ft. sweet broom plant about 2 years ago. It bloomed and grew to about 5 ft. We live ...
  A: Thanx for your question. If the wood is still green I would let it go through this season and see ...
Hibiscus buds are turning brown8/16/2008
  Q: My hibiscus trees we're doing great until about 2 weeks ago. The buds on them suddenly started ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your hibiscus have been attacked by spider mites. There ...
Torch Lilies8/16/2008
  Q: I live in zone 9 (central FL)and have many torch lilies and have been anticipating their blooming. ...
  A: Thanx for your question. By torch lilies I'm going to assume you are talking about Kniphofia? This ...
orange tiger lilies near hydrangea8/9/2008
  Q: Is it OK for tiger lilies to grow in close proximity to a blue hydrangea? All of my hydrangea are ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I have never heard of any incompatibility between hydrangeas and tiger ...
blue star sea holly8/8/2008
  Q: I have three healthy plants that are in their second year. They are being crowded out by a ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, the blue star holly (eryngium) has a long tap root so dig as deep as ...
Crape Myrtle's8/7/2008
  Q: Recently I visited my sister in North Carolina. The Crape Myrtle's were in bloom and I could not ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I am a fellow Kansan also and I live in Kansas City. I lived in the South ...
huckleberries?8/7/2008
  Q: I live in Tennessee,in zone 7. Our soil type is clay mix. Would the evergreen huckleberry be able ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Huckleberries are not frost hardy but will self-seed in frost areas. When ...
monkshood8/7/2008
  Q: I live in Massachusetts and have some Monkshood that hasn't bloomed yet, it's been 2 years. It is ...
  A: Thanx for the additional information. There are different varieties of monkshood (aconitum) so you ...
Coreopsis need help8/7/2008
  Q: I am new to gardening. I planted some coreopsis and they seemed to be doing well but now they have ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I'm willing to bet deer ate the leaves off of your coreopsis and deer will ...
honeysuckel8/6/2008
  Q: This is the second year for my honeysuckel plants. They are hardly growing at all. I was told they ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Honeysuckle grow best in full sun (at least 6 hours a day) but they will ...
Daylily 'Stella de Oro"8/5/2008
  Q: Can I use the pod which appears on the plant after it blooms to start new plants in other planting ...
  A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can use the seeds from the seed pod of the Stella de Oro but wait ...
monkshood8/4/2008
  Q: I live in Massachusetts and have some Monkshood that hasn't bloomed yet, it's been 2 years. It is ...
  A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like the Monkshood is over crowded. In late August, dig the ...
maintenance of some perennials8/2/2008
  Q: Should I deadhead bee balm? Is it a perennial? Is there anyway to get shasta daisies to give a ...
  A: Thanx for your questions. I appreciate your comments about what we do here on Allexperts. You ask ...
Black eyed Susans8/1/2008
  Q: My black eyed susans are falling over. They are not any taller than they were last year but for ...
  A: Thanx for your question. In some years the plants get leggy if it has been too wet, too windy or ...
blooming perennials7/31/2008
  Q: We just built a house and the soil has a VERY high clay content. Are there any blooming perennials ...
  A: Thanx for your question. I have clay all over the place and yes, there are tons of things that will ...
Baltimore-area mystery plant (pictures)7/31/2008
  Q: Both have elliptic leaves, smooth (entire), and are even pinnately veined. Plant 1 is larger, about ...
  A: Thanx for your question and the photos. Sorry I have taken so long but I have been racking my ...
Hydrangeas7/29/2008
  Q: I have a couple of the Endless Summer Hydrangeas that I planted two years ago. I live near Boston. ...
  A: Thanx for you question. For most of the U.S. the winter lingered longer than normal and then there ...
Help me identify my plant7/29/2008
  Q: I have a plant in my yard that I have no idea what it is. It grows tall. Over six feet. It has ...
  A: I have a page at Local Harvest. If you'll access my page and e-mail me there, I'll give you my ...
Daylily7/29/2008
  Q: after the flowers come and go I see these pods on top of some of the stalks. What are they and if I ...
  A: Thanx for the follow up. Don't start your seeds until December because it is too late to start them ...
Hydrangeas7/28/2008
  Q: This is in addition to a question I sent last week regarding the runing of hydrangeas. You said to ...
  A: Joanne, Thanx for your question. If you are only getting three to five blooms and you have not been ...
growing of calalillies7/28/2008
  Q: hi can i take the seeds from the pod and just pu