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About Tom Alonzo
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.

Experience
I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.

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Questions Answered By Expert Tom Alonzo
In Category Perennials

Subject	Date Asked

Grape Hyacinth	11/16/2009
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 Trees	11/10/2009
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 Heather	11/7/2009
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 roses	11/6/2009
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 ...
hibiscus	11/5/2009
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 deadheading	11/4/2009
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 drop	10/28/2009
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/Shrubs	10/28/2009
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 RedStars	10/27/2009
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 winter	10/26/2009
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 Propagation	10/26/2009
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 lily	10/26/2009
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 cold	10/24/2009
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 bush	10/23/2009
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 bush	10/23/2009
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 PLANT	10/22/2009
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 perennials	10/22/2009
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 hibiscus	10/21/2009
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 pod	10/20/2009
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 scarlet	10/20/2009
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 lilly	10/20/2009
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 susans	10/17/2009
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 Months	10/17/2009
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 flowers	10/14/2009
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 buds	10/13/2009
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. ...
hydrangea	10/12/2009
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 Austalis	10/12/2009
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's	10/11/2009
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 hibiscus	10/11/2009
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 winter	10/11/2009
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 ...
Perenniels	10/7/2009
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 ...
perennials	10/7/2009
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/Shrubs	10/7/2009
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 flowers	10/7/2009
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 winter	10/6/2009
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 Perrenials	10/6/2009
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 ...
Mums	10/6/2009
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 susans	10/5/2009
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 gift	10/4/2009
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 Lillies	10/2/2009
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 Grass	10/1/2009
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 broom	10/1/2009
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 bulbs	10/1/2009
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 bulbs	10/1/2009
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 Bush	10/1/2009
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 deadheading	9/29/2009
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 & dogwood	9/28/2009
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 Cordyline	9/28/2009
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 antarctica	9/27/2009
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 seed	9/26/2009
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 Bound	9/23/2009
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 Sharon	9/22/2009
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 hibiscus	9/22/2009
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 Lillies	9/21/2009
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 seeds	9/21/2009
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 ...
bogenvelia	9/21/2009
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 ...
Mums	9/20/2009
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 ...
bogenvelia	9/18/2009
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 Benefits	9/18/2009
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 Phlox	9/17/2009
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 box	9/15/2009
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 flowers	9/15/2009
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 Daisies	9/14/2009
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 ...
seeds	9/13/2009
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 Daisies	9/13/2009
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 hibiscus	9/13/2009
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 wilting	9/13/2009
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 this	9/10/2009
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 flower	9/10/2009
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 lilly	9/10/2009
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 ...
yellowsweetbroom	9/9/2009
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 seeds	9/8/2009
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 blight	9/8/2009
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 ...
yellowsweetbroom	9/7/2009
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 pod	9/6/2009
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 hollies	9/6/2009
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 Rhododendron	9/6/2009
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 beds	9/6/2009
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 tree	9/5/2009
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 bushes	9/5/2009
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 ...
Hydrangeas	9/5/2009
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 ...
lantana	9/4/2009
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 ...
Hydrangea	9/3/2009
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 ...
daylillies	9/2/2009
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/Peonies	9/2/2009
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 lily	9/2/2009
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-Irises	9/1/2009
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 care	8/30/2009
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 sage	8/30/2009
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 bush	8/28/2009
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 pots	8/27/2009
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 bulb	8/26/2009
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 susans	8/25/2009
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 susans	8/25/2009
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 ...
hydrangea	8/25/2009
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 Hydrangea	8/24/2009
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 mounds	8/23/2009
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 lilies	8/22/2009
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 Lily	8/21/2009
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 roses	8/21/2009
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 ...
Fall	8/21/2009
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 Lillies	8/21/2009
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, ...
Hydrangeas	8/21/2009
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 ...
euonymous	8/20/2009
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 ...
Fall	8/20/2009
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. ...
Grasses	8/20/2009
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 LILLIES	8/20/2009
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 Lily	8/20/2009
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 roses	8/20/2009
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 Hearts	8/20/2009
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 Tree	8/20/2009
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 death	8/19/2009
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 LILLIES	8/19/2009
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 Vine	8/18/2009
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 Lily	8/18/2009
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 hibiscus	8/17/2009
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 grass	8/17/2009
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 Texas	8/16/2009
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 4b	8/15/2009
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 lily	8/15/2009
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 Flowers	8/14/2009
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 phonecium	8/14/2009
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 blumes	8/13/2009
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 sharon	8/13/2009
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 hibiscus	8/12/2009
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 frutescens	8/12/2009
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 ...
DAHLIA	8/11/2009
Q: ARE DAHLIAS PERENNIALS A: Thanx for your questions. Dahlias originally hail from the mountains of Mexico and are from ...
Wisteria tree	8/11/2009
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 ...
hydrangea	8/11/2009
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 plants	8/10/2009
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'or	8/9/2009
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 ...
hydrangea	8/9/2009
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 tree	8/9/2009
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 Hydrangeas	8/8/2009
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 ...
hydrangea	8/8/2009
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 tree	8/8/2009
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 Pruning	8/8/2009
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. ...
Coralbells	8/6/2009
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 splendens	8/6/2009
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 ear	8/6/2009
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's	8/5/2009
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 needed	7/30/2009
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 ...
plumeria	7/30/2009
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 ...
gardening	7/29/2009
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 ...
Transplanting	7/29/2009
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 Lillies	7/29/2009
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 Hibiscus	7/28/2009
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 Lillies	7/27/2009
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 ...
Irises	7/26/2009
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 - hydragnea	7/25/2009
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 blooming	7/25/2009
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 dying	7/24/2009
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 Lillies	7/23/2009
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 blooming	7/23/2009
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 blooms	7/22/2009
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 lily	7/22/2009
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 Line	7/21/2009
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 Garden	7/21/2009
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 flowered	7/21/2009
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 ...
Perennials	7/21/2009
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 ...
Irises	7/20/2009
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 ...
hydrangea	7/20/2009
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 lily	7/19/2009
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 Lillies	7/18/2009
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 lilies	7/18/2009
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 ...
hibiscus	7/17/2009
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 do	7/17/2009
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 Hydrangea	7/17/2009
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 blooms	7/17/2009
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 ...
Moonflower	7/17/2009
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? ...
Speedwell	7/17/2009
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 care	7/17/2009
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 Flowering	7/16/2009
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 vines	7/16/2009
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 Bush	7/15/2009
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 perennial	7/15/2009
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 plants	7/15/2009
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 Bush	7/14/2009
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 ...
Columbine	7/14/2009
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 leaves	7/14/2009
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 susans	7/13/2009
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 Myrtles	7/12/2009
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 bulbs	7/12/2009
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 blooming	7/12/2009
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 ear	7/12/2009
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 grass	7/11/2009
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 Columbine	7/10/2009
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 perennials	7/10/2009
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 lilies	7/10/2009
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 Questions	7/10/2009
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 season	7/9/2009
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 Moser	7/9/2009
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 problem	7/9/2009
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 ...
Daylilies	7/9/2009
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 ...
Columbines	7/8/2009
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 ...
snapdragons	7/7/2009
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 & Acers	7/7/2009
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 Flowers	7/7/2009
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 tree	7/7/2009
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 ...
Magnolia	7/7/2009
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. ...
bugs	7/7/2009
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 grass	7/7/2009
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 garden	7/6/2009
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 leaves	7/6/2009
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 Hydreangeas	7/6/2009
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 foliage	7/6/2009
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? ...
Hydrangea	7/6/2009
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 bush	7/5/2009
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 transplanting	7/5/2009
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 Mums	7/4/2009
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 bushes	7/4/2009
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 Myrtles	7/3/2009
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 problem	7/3/2009
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 grass	7/3/2009
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 sedum	7/3/2009
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 lilies	7/3/2009
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 lily	7/2/2009
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 problem	7/2/2009
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 problem	7/2/2009
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 dogwood	7/2/2009
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 Hydrangea	7/1/2009
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 Lillies	7/1/2009
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 dying	7/1/2009
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 faded	6/29/2009
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 Peonies	6/29/2009
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 climate	6/28/2009
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 care	6/28/2009
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 bushes	6/28/2009
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 tree	6/28/2009
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 daylilies	6/28/2009
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 problem	6/27/2009
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 lillies	6/27/2009
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 garden	6/27/2009
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 Identification	6/26/2009
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 valley	6/26/2009
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 ...
wisteria	6/25/2009
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 Lillies	6/25/2009
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 ...
Iris	6/25/2009
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 Goo	6/25/2009
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 orange	6/25/2009
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 developing	6/24/2009
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 bush	6/24/2009
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 ...
peonies	6/24/2009
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 ...
Hibiscus	6/23/2009
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 Goo	6/23/2009
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 susans	6/22/2009
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 sign	6/22/2009
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 transplant	6/22/2009
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 prematurely	6/22/2009
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 climate	6/22/2009
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 ...
hydraneas	6/22/2009
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 ...
Hibiscus	6/21/2009
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 plant	6/21/2009
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 Compacta	6/20/2009
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 Lily	6/20/2009
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 Heather	6/20/2009
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 garden	6/19/2009
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 Poppies	6/19/2009
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 flower	6/19/2009
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 fabric	6/18/2009
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 plants	6/18/2009
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 ...
hydrangeas	6/18/2009
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 Broom	6/18/2009
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 ...
clamatis	6/18/2009
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 ...
Daylilies	6/18/2009
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 failure	6/17/2009
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 flowers	6/17/2009
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 Lillies	6/17/2009
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 ...
Hollyhock	6/17/2009
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 Broom	6/17/2009
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 ...
Daylilies	6/17/2009
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 flower	6/16/2009
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 all	6/16/2009
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. ...
canna	6/16/2009
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 ...
hummingbirdvine	6/16/2009
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 flower	6/15/2009
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 Daylily	6/15/2009
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 Mums	6/14/2009
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 ...
tulips	6/14/2009
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 patterns	6/14/2009
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 Lily	6/14/2009
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 grasses	6/14/2009
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 ...
hydranga	6/14/2009
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 lily	6/12/2009
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 Cover	6/12/2009
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 clematis	6/12/2009
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 ...
browning	6/11/2009
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 ...
Lantana	6/11/2009
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 ...
Lantana	6/10/2009
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 ...
Perennials	6/10/2009
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 clematis	6/10/2009
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 plant	6/10/2009
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 Bouganvillea	6/10/2009
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 Bouganvillea	6/10/2009
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 lily	6/10/2009
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 Bouganvillea	6/9/2009
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 flower	6/9/2009
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 plant	6/8/2009
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 identification	6/8/2009
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 plant	6/8/2009
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 Lillies	6/8/2009
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 ...
Calilily	6/8/2009
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. ...
hydrangeas	6/7/2009
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 Bouganvillea	6/7/2009
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 transplanting	6/7/2009
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 ...
perennials	6/7/2009
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 Lillies	6/7/2009
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 Lily	6/7/2009
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 lily	6/6/2009
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 ...
hydrangeas	6/6/2009
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 care	6/6/2009
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 lilies	6/5/2009
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 zinnas	6/5/2009
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 ...
Kalanchoe	6/5/2009
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 problem	6/5/2009
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 Plant	6/4/2009
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 ...
Daylilies	6/4/2009
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 verbena	6/4/2009
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 ...
Iris	6/4/2009
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 pods	6/4/2009
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 Plant	6/4/2009
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 Flame	6/4/2009
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 pods	6/3/2009
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, TX	6/3/2009
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 ...
Irises	6/3/2009
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, TX	6/3/2009
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" plant	6/3/2009
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 myrtles	6/2/2009
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. ...
daylillies	6/2/2009
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 ...
Bulbs	6/2/2009
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 Bushes	6/1/2009
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/deadheading	6/1/2009
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 Flame	6/1/2009
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 Bushes	6/1/2009
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 ...
Hydranga	5/31/2009
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 hydrangeas	5/31/2009
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 Vine	5/31/2009
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 blooms	5/30/2009
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 dogwood	5/30/2009
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 ...
hibiscus	5/30/2009
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 lillies	5/29/2009
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 ...
azaleas	5/29/2009
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 dissolution	5/29/2009
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 Lilly	5/29/2009
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 bush	5/29/2009
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 tree	5/29/2009
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 Hydrangea	5/29/2009
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 plants	5/28/2009
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 blooms	5/28/2009
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 ...
hydrangeas	5/28/2009
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 ...
Coreopsis	5/27/2009
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 holes	5/27/2009
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 caladiums	5/27/2009
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 lillies	5/27/2009
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 tree	5/27/2009
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 plant	5/27/2009
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 lily	5/26/2009
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 Susan	5/26/2009
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 lillies	5/26/2009
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 shade	5/26/2009
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 Bush	5/26/2009
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 plant	5/26/2009
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 Hydrangea	5/25/2009
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 ...
bogenvelia	5/25/2009
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 dogwood	5/25/2009
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 ...
hydrangeas	5/25/2009
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 ...
Lavender	5/25/2009
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 SPACHIANUS	5/24/2009
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 Hawaii	5/24/2009
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 Bulbs	5/24/2009
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 lily	5/24/2009
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 needed	5/23/2009
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 lillies	5/23/2009
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 forsythia	5/23/2009
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 Lilly	5/23/2009
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 ants	5/22/2009
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 spring	5/21/2009
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. ...
Daffodils	5/21/2009
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 Azaleas	5/21/2009
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 spring	5/21/2009
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 irises	5/21/2009
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 ...
Hydrangas	5/20/2009
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 plants	5/20/2009
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 Huff	5/20/2009
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 ears	5/20/2009
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 Heather	5/20/2009
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 heather	5/19/2009
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 perennials	5/19/2009
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 Bush	5/19/2009
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 ...
bogenvelia	5/18/2009
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 ...
Hydrangeas	5/18/2009
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 Amethyst	5/18/2009
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's	5/18/2009
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 trees	5/18/2009
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 Lilac	5/17/2009
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 lily	5/17/2009
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 perennials	5/17/2009
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 plants	5/17/2009
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 Plants	5/17/2009
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 seeds	5/17/2009
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 AZ	5/17/2009
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 Filimentosa	5/16/2009
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 daylillies	5/16/2009
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 ...
Perennials	5/16/2009
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 FIREBIRD	5/15/2009
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 ...
magnolias	5/15/2009
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 Care	5/15/2009
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 Rhododendrons	5/15/2009
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 & vines	5/15/2009
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 ...
Lillies	5/14/2009
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 ...
IRIS	5/14/2009
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 basket	5/14/2009
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 lillies	5/14/2009
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 Bush	5/14/2009
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 lillies	5/13/2009
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 Plant	5/13/2009
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 planting	5/13/2009
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 ...
wisteria	5/13/2009
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 basket	5/13/2009
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 Cover	5/12/2009
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 Grass	5/12/2009
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 mix	5/12/2009
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 Sharon	5/12/2009
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 lilies	5/12/2009
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 Plant	5/12/2009
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 plant	5/11/2009
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 Grass	5/11/2009
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 Red	5/11/2009
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 Dogwoods	5/11/2009
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 plant	5/10/2009
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 Lilies	5/10/2009
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 Grass	5/9/2009
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 ...
bonfires	5/9/2009
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, ...
Perennials	5/9/2009
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 Tree	5/9/2009
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 Wilting	5/8/2009
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 roses	5/7/2009
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 ...
jasmine	5/7/2009
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 emergency	5/7/2009
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 planting	5/7/2009
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 Iris	5/7/2009
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 Lily	5/7/2009
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 identification	5/7/2009
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 Dogwoods	5/7/2009
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 plant	5/6/2009
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 lily	5/6/2009
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. ...
Azaleas	5/6/2009
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 lily	5/5/2009
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 Bloomers	5/5/2009
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 soil	5/5/2009
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 ...
Hydrangea	5/5/2009
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 plant	5/5/2009
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 Tubers	5/5/2009
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 Sharon	5/4/2009
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 cover	5/4/2009
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 Hibiscus	5/4/2009
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 identification	5/4/2009
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 bush	5/3/2009
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 cuttings	5/3/2009
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 depth	5/2/2009
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 climate	5/2/2009
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 florida	5/1/2009
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 Lilies	5/1/2009
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 lily	5/1/2009
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 bush	4/30/2009
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 planting	4/30/2009
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 Sharon	4/30/2009
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 ...
Daffodils	4/30/2009
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 blooming	4/29/2009
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 area	4/28/2009
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, ...
Rhododendron	4/28/2009
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 mum	4/28/2009
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 insecticide	4/28/2009
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 Flowers	4/27/2009
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 lilly	4/27/2009
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 Lilies	4/27/2009
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 ears	4/26/2009
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 plants	4/26/2009
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 ...
Bouganvilleas	4/26/2009
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 question	4/26/2009
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 Heather	4/25/2009
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 florida	4/25/2009
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 winter	4/25/2009
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 perennial	4/24/2009
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 Lilac	4/24/2009
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 irises	4/24/2009
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/alstroemeria	4/23/2009
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 ...
rhododendron	4/23/2009
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 filter	4/23/2009
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 bed	4/23/2009
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 ...
hydrangea	4/22/2009
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 Bloomers	4/22/2009
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 Antarctica	4/22/2009
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 Plants	4/21/2009
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 ...
Bogenvelias	4/21/2009
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 ...
Lavender	4/21/2009
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 honeysuckle	4/21/2009
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 Question	4/20/2009
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 bulbs	4/20/2009
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 plant	4/20/2009
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 clamatis	4/20/2009
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 tucson	4/20/2009
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 ...
hydrangea	4/19/2009
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. ...
Whisteria	4/19/2009
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 Lily	4/19/2009
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. ...
Lavender	4/19/2009
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's	4/18/2009
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 plants	4/18/2009
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 flower	4/17/2009
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 TREE	4/17/2009
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 damage	4/17/2009
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 spring	4/17/2009
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 off	4/17/2009
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 spring	4/17/2009
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. Virginia	4/17/2009
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 bulbs	4/17/2009
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 ...
calalilly	4/17/2009
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 mums	4/16/2009
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 lilies	4/16/2009
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 Bulbs	4/15/2009
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 phosphorus	4/14/2009
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 Daylilies	4/14/2009
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 Hibiscus	4/14/2009
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 Nori	4/14/2009
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 Daylilies	4/14/2009
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 ground	4/13/2009
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 flowers	4/13/2009
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 Bulbs	4/13/2009
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 ...
Iris	4/13/2009
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 Irises	4/12/2009
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 mildew	4/12/2009
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 ...
tulips	4/12/2009
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 Lilly	4/11/2009
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 lillies	4/11/2009
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 ...
Honeysuckle	4/10/2009
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 phlox	4/9/2009
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 grass	4/9/2009
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 trimming	4/6/2009
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 ...
Wisteria	4/6/2009
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 pepers	4/5/2009
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 ...
Astillbes	4/2/2009
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 vines	4/2/2009
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 lilies	3/30/2009
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 AZ	3/30/2009
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 grasses	3/30/2009
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 ...
Astillbes	3/29/2009
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 ...
Hypericum	3/29/2009
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 lilies	3/27/2009
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. ...
Bogenvelia	3/25/2009
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 shrubs	3/25/2009
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 jasmine	3/25/2009
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 seeds	3/24/2009
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-Daisies	3/24/2009
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-Daisies	3/24/2009
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 broom	3/24/2009
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 ...
Bogenvelia	3/23/2009
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 ...
azelia	3/23/2009
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 seed	3/23/2009
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 lilly	3/22/2009
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 seed	3/22/2009
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 lilies	3/21/2009
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 ...
Milorganite	3/20/2009
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 roses	3/20/2009
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 roses	3/19/2009
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 ...
Milorganite	3/19/2009
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 snapdragons	3/19/2009
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 Grow	3/19/2009
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 ...
daylilies	3/19/2009
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 plant	3/15/2009
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 plants	3/15/2009
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 climate	3/15/2009
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 plumbago	3/15/2009
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 ...
Perennials	3/15/2009
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 vine	3/14/2009
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 & Hyacinth	3/14/2009
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 vine	3/14/2009
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 Grass	3/13/2009
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 transplanting	3/10/2009
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 lillies	3/10/2009
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 Lilies	3/10/2009
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 ...
heuchera	3/9/2009
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 care	3/7/2009
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 sharon	3/7/2009
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 perennials	3/4/2009
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 broom	3/3/2009
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 tree	3/3/2009
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 deppei	3/2/2009
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 flowers	3/1/2009
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, ...
pruning	2/28/2009
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 plant	2/27/2009
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 nursery	2/26/2009
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 care	2/25/2009
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 Lillies	2/25/2009
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 flowers	2/25/2009
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 ...
perennials	2/25/2009
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 Hibiscus	2/23/2009
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 ...
Callas	2/22/2009
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 Clematis	2/21/2009
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 Hyacinth	2/21/2009
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 planting	2/20/2009
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 Fertilizer	2/18/2009
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 alive	2/17/2009
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) ...
gardenia	2/16/2009
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 lawns	2/15/2009
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 lilies	2/15/2009
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 ...
hibiscus	2/13/2009
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 Help	2/12/2009
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 mums	2/11/2009
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 Clematis	2/9/2009
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 buds	2/9/2009
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 Gardenia	2/8/2009
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 outdoor	2/4/2009
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 ...
Clematis	1/24/2009
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 ...
Clematis	1/23/2009
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 flowering	1/22/2009
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 Plant	1/20/2009
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 ...
Hawaii	1/17/2009
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/bush	1/14/2009
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, ...
Hybicucs	1/13/2009
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 wisteria	1/12/2009
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 bouganvillas	1/10/2009
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 Flowers	1/10/2009
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, ...
Fertilizing	1/8/2009
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 Flowers	1/8/2009
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 seeds	1/1/2009
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 ...
Pyracantha	12/31/2008
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 lilies	12/28/2008
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 gnats	12/27/2008
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 daylily	12/15/2008
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 Azalea	12/12/2008
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 Ontario	12/9/2008
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 hibiscus	12/8/2008
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; pyracantha	12/5/2008
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 Oro	12/2/2008
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 lilies	12/2/2008
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 vines	11/30/2008
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 hydrangea	11/27/2008
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 ...
daylillies	11/22/2008
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 ...
daylillies	11/22/2008
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 Problem	11/18/2008
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 plant	11/16/2008
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 ...
hibuscus	11/14/2008
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 ...
Lillies	11/13/2008
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 ...
candytuff	11/11/2008
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 & squirrels	11/10/2008
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 Jasmine	11/6/2008
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 ...
Bt	11/4/2008
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 garden	11/3/2008
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 8a	10/29/2008
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; pyracantha	10/29/2008
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 ...
Mums	10/28/2008
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 bulbs	10/28/2008
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 lilies	10/27/2008
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 ...
wisteria	10/26/2008
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 ...
Rhoododendron	10/25/2008
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 plants	10/24/2008
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 ...
hibiscus	10/24/2008
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 ...
wisteria	10/24/2008
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 ...
Mums	10/22/2008
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 bugs	10/22/2008
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 rust	10/22/2008
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 Lily	10/20/2008
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 Seeds	10/20/2008
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, ...
Rudebekia	10/20/2008
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 Lily	10/19/2008
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 ...
anthuriums	10/17/2008
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 fall	10/17/2008
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 fall	10/16/2008
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 Legality	10/15/2008
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 daylilies	10/14/2008
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 ...
hibiscus	10/11/2008
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 Lily	10/11/2008
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 & Clematis	10/10/2008
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 plants	10/9/2008
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 & Clematis	10/8/2008
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 Tree	10/7/2008
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 needed	10/7/2008
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 Sharon	10/7/2008
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 roses	10/7/2008
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 Missouri	10/6/2008
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 coreopsis	10/5/2008
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 perennials	10/5/2008
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 perennials	10/4/2008
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 Maui	10/1/2008
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 Butterflies	10/1/2008
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 Planting	9/28/2008
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 Fuschia	9/28/2008
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 pods	9/27/2008
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 Lillies	9/27/2008
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 Sharon	9/27/2008
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 broom	9/26/2008
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 Sharon	9/26/2008
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 Butterflies	9/26/2008
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 broom	9/23/2008
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 ...
cyclamens	9/22/2008
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 hibiscus	9/21/2008
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 care	9/21/2008
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 Fig	9/19/2008
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 compost	9/18/2008
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 ...
lupine	9/17/2008
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 lilies	9/16/2008
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 ...
Hostas	9/16/2008
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 Limelight	9/15/2008
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 Identification	9/8/2008
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 lily	9/8/2008
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 garden	9/7/2008
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 ...
Clematis	9/7/2008
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 pest	9/7/2008
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 pest	9/5/2008
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 lillies	9/4/2008
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 plant	9/3/2008
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 ...
Wisteria	9/2/2008
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, ...
gardenia	9/2/2008
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 ...
calalilies	9/2/2008
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 plant	9/2/2008
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 Clematis	9/1/2008
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 Daylillies	8/30/2008
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 ...
fuschias	8/29/2008
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 anemic	8/29/2008
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 sharon	8/28/2008
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 daylillies	8/28/2008
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 ...
Books	8/26/2008
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 bulbs	8/24/2008
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 lillies	8/24/2008
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 Lillies	8/23/2008
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 ...
Pots	8/23/2008
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 Lillies	8/22/2008
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 Fig	8/21/2008
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 Fig	8/20/2008
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 ...
daylillies	8/20/2008
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 ...
daylillies	8/20/2008
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 tree	8/19/2008
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 bush	8/19/2008
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 Lilies	8/18/2008
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 plant	8/17/2008
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 spachianus0	8/17/2008
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 brown	8/16/2008
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 Lilies	8/16/2008
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 hydrangea	8/9/2008
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 holly	8/8/2008
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's	8/7/2008
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 ...
monkshood	8/7/2008
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 help	8/7/2008
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 ...
honeysuckel	8/6/2008
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 ...
monkshood	8/4/2008
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 perennials	8/2/2008
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 Susans	8/1/2008
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 perennials	7/31/2008
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 ...
Hydrangeas	7/29/2008
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 plant	7/29/2008
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 ...
Daylily	7/29/2008
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 ...
Hydrangeas	7/28/2008
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 calalillies	7/28/2008
Q: hi can i take the seeds from the pod and just put them in soil in pots in the house or how sould i ... A: Thanx for your question. Allow the seed pod of the calla to ripen and turn brown. Then you can ...
Zinnia seeds	7/28/2008
Q: How or what do you do to gather seeds from your lower so you can plant them? After you get the ... A: Thanx for your question. To save zinnia seeds wait until the flower is completely dry and then ...
Hydrangea	7/28/2008
Q: Tom, I have had a hydrangea for 2 yrs. About 4-6 weeks ago its started losing leaves off the ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you have aphids or spider mites. These critters suck the ...
calla lily	7/27/2008
Q: My calla leaves are dying off and I cut back. Do the bulbs need to be dug up or will they return. ... A: Thanx for your question. In general, now that it is almost August, it is normal for colored callas ...
hydrangeas	7/27/2008
Q: I planted hydrangeas in the spring and they are not flowering. I also have two hydrangeas that I ... A: Thanx for your question. There could be a number of reasons why your plants aren't blooming. First ...
non blooming clematis vines	7/27/2008
Q: I BOUGHT TWO BEAUTIFUL CLEMAIS VINES WITH LOVELY SMALL PINK STAR LIKE FLOWERS. I HAVE PLANTED THEM ... A: Thanx for your question. Two things could be going on here. Check your fertilizer. Is it high in ...
Hibiscus Black Spot	7/26/2008
Q: My orange hibiscus tree seemed quite healthy. I replaced the previous one b/c it was covered with ... A: Thanx for your question. What you're talking about is black spot and it's a fungal disease that ...
My Hydrangea	7/25/2008
Q: I planted my hydrangea a couple of months ago. It`s grown really well, only I`ve noticed the stem is ... A: Thanx for your question. Usually, the spots would be on the leaves. It sounds like a fungal ...
Hydranga	7/25/2008
Q: I have a Hydrangeas, the kind that blooms all summer. It's call Summer something. It has the big ... A: Thanx for your question. Yes, I would cut the spent blooms off to help the plant look better. I ...
Daylily	7/25/2008
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 your questions. The structures you speak of on the lily plant are seed pods. If your ...
butterfly bush	7/23/2008
Q: i planted a butterfly bush a few years ago and it barely comes up. i found a new area full of sun to ... A: Thanx for your question. Butterfly bushes can and do have problems in various parts of zone 5 which ...
euonymous plants	7/23/2008
Q: I have had several large (approx 5ft) euonymous shrubs as part of my landscaping for several years. ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like either anthracnose which is a bacterium or scale which is ...
PLANTING DELPHINIUM FROM SEED	7/23/2008
Q: MY DELPHINIUMS HAVE GONE TO SEED. WHEN AND HOW CAN I PLANT THE SEED. DO I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL SPRING? ... A: Thanx for your question. If you delphiniums were hybrids, the resulting seedlings will not resemble ...
Anthurium pruning	7/23/2008
Q: I have a lovely Anthurium for 4 years now. It has bloomed continually and seems happy. Lately, the ... A: Thanx for your question and sorry it took so long to get back to you. Yes, you can cut your ...
Wilted Spiderwort	7/16/2008
Q: (I live in zone 6). 2 are doing well, but 1 of them just wilted and is on the ground! It doesn't ... A: Thanx for your question. If by spiderwort you're talking about tradescantia ...
rose of sharon	7/15/2008
Q: Planted one year old rose of sharon 3 to 4 weeks ago and it is doing great leaf and stim wise, but ... A: Thanx for your question. I believe the plant is still suffering from the shock of being moved. It ...
Hydrangeas	7/15/2008
Q: I bought 2 Foxgloves in full bloom..planted them..after the blooms fell off, I am now left with ... A: Thanx for the followup. In my previous answer the website I gave you for High Country Gardens was ...
hostos	7/15/2008
Q: Can I thin out my hostas right now in the heat of summer? They are getting so big A: Thanx for your question. I would wait until fall to separate my hostas unless it is an absolute ...
perennial for planter	7/13/2008
Q: I live in KY and need a flowering perennial no more than 12" tall to plant in brick planters that ... A: Thanx for your question. I recommend dianthus which come in many different colors and designs and ...
hydrangea tree	7/13/2008
Q: I had my house professionally landscaped in May 2008. One of the trees planted was a hydrangea tree. ... A: Thanx for your question. It is perfectly normal for your hydrangea not to have bloomed because it ...
transplanting mums and daisies	7/13/2008
Q: I live in Utah and would like to know when is the best time to transplant mums and daisies. I am ... A: Thanx for your question. The best time to move perennials is in early fall or spring after the last ...
moving rose of sharon bush	7/11/2008
Q: My mother-in-law has a large rose of sharon bush that we need to move. Right now it is on the east ... A: Thanx for your question. Trim the shrub back severely so it will be easier to handle. Make sure ...
Johnson's Blue Geranium (Cranesbill)	7/11/2008
Q: Actually, I have been struggling with this "issue" for a few years. I really love my Johnson's Blue ... A: Thanx for your question. You can divide the plant in early fall or in the spring right after the ...
Weeping Purple Pussy Willow	7/11/2008
Q: I have these beetle (navy blue to black)that are laying eggs and eating all the leaves off the tree, ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you have an infestation of imported willow beetle. You can ...
Foxgloves	7/11/2008
Q: I bought 2 Foxgloves in full bloom..planted them..after the blooms fell off, I am now left with ... A: Thanx for your question. Some foxgloves are annuals, some are biennial and some are perennial. ...
gladiolas	7/11/2008
Q: how do I keep my gladiolas straight? A: Make sure you plant them about 6 inches deep. You can plant close to a fence or you can use green ...
Princess lilies	7/10/2008
Q: I was given a princess lily and it is doing very well but I am not sure what I need to do with it ... A: Thanx for your question. Princess lilies are hybrids of alstroemeria or Peruvian lily. ...
star lilly (outdoor)	7/10/2008
Q: I have an outdoor star lilly and the flowers have dropped off leaving tall stalks and leaves. What ... A: Thanx for your question. Once lilies like this bloom, that's it...a one time thing. So, you can ...
Pruning lilac bushes	7/9/2008
Q: I have, what I like to refer to as the "Great Wall of Lilacs" running along side of the sidewalk ... A: Thanx for your question. Here is a very helpful website that tells how to handle your situation. ...
fuschia care	7/9/2008
Q: I have four fuschias which I wintered over and have a lot of new growth, yet no buds on them. I ... A: Thanx for your question. Fuchsias benefit from a good pruning in late winter while they are ...
Bugs or Fungas on daisies??	7/9/2008
Q: This is my 2nd year with these daisies. They started from one tiny and I mean tiny plant with one ... A: Thanx for your question. It doesn't sound like an insect or mite infestation. It sounds like a ...
verbena	7/8/2008
Q: I live in south Texas, very, very hot, but very humid. I planted verbena plants in the fall and ... A: Thanx for your question. Water only when they are dry and stop fertilizing. You're probably taking ...
hydrandea	7/7/2008
Q: I have a hydrangea that has grown very lush and healthy new growth from last years trimmed back ... A: I'm thinking that you may have trimmed it back too much and cut the blooming canes/wood off. Allow ...
Perennials	7/7/2008
Q: I am a new gardener and had just done my garden. I wanted a cottage garden theme but unfortunately I ... A: Thanx for your questions. Generally, spring and fall are the best times to move plants. But, I ...
dataura plant	7/7/2008
Q: looks very heathy, lots of buds. put before they are fully open they fall over dead. other than that ... A: Sorry it took so long to get to you. I've never had this problem with my daturas and have never ...
Black-eyed susans	7/7/2008
Q: This is my second year with this plant and they are getting black spots on their foliage leaves that ... A: Thanx for your question. I think your Black-eyed Susans have a fungal disease of which there are ...
unknown plant	7/6/2008
Q: I have a plant in my garden that has come up larger every year now for about three or four ... A: Thanx Madge. If you will go to http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M14089 It is a webpage I have at ...
day lil;ies	7/6/2008
Q: I have stellas and they are beautiful and bloom. I also have prairie blues and strawberry candy. The ... A: Thanx for your question. Are they getting regular water? Is the soil draining well and not overly ...
Stella D'Ore Lillys	7/5/2008
Q: I have 2 Stella D'Oro pland and want to know why aren't blooming. They are 2 years old. . A: Thanx for your question. First of all, if you are feeding them a fertilizer high in nitrogen you ...
foxgloves	7/5/2008
Q: Should foxgloves be deadheaded? When should you prune them back. I live in southeast Michigan. I was ... A: Thanx for your question. Some foxgloves are short-lived perennials and many are biennials. The ...
Hydranga booms	7/4/2008
Q: I planted 4 hydrangeas about 3 years ago. Each year the foliage looks lush but I have not gotten a ... A: Thanx for your question. There could be several reasons you're not getting blooms. 1. Are the ...
Gardenia	7/4/2008
Q: I have had flower buds, for about 4 wks on my established gardenia plant(in a large pot outside)& ... A: Thanx for your question. There are myriad reasons for a gardenia bud to turn brown. You said that ...
Lambs Ear	7/3/2008
Q: My lambs ear is drooping big time and I am not sure how to fix it. It has gotten really big and ... A: Thanx for your question. I've had this happen too. Do you live in a climate that is hot and muggy? ...
Hyrdreangea	7/3/2008
Q: I have a mini hydreangea bush with a number of mopheads?? buy they don't seem to be opening. Its ... A: Thanx for your question. Hydrangeas like moist (not soggy), slightly acidic soil. In the north, ...
Irises (I think)	7/3/2008
Q: When I bought my house, there was a little patch of light green long leaves growing out of one ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like your irises need to be thinned out. I love irises ...
blue hydranga	7/3/2008
Q: My son gave me a blue hydrangea as a mothers day gift. I planted it outside in a protected corner ... A: The blue hydrangea is hardy to zone 5 so if you are in zone 4 or colder the shrub is probably dying ...
asiatic lillies	7/2/2008
Q: Is it possible to harvest the seed of asiatic lillies and raise new plants from them? If so, how ... A: Thanx for your question. Yes, it is possible to harvest seed of the asiatic lily and raise new ...
calla lilly	7/2/2008
Q: I have calla lillies in a pot, they get full sun and the dirt is potting soil. I am finding that ... A: Thanx for the additional information. If the corm is mushy, it is done for. This is a rot disease ...
calla lilly	7/2/2008
Q: I have calla lillies in a pot, they get full sun and the dirt is potting soil. I am finding that ... A: Callas will start to wilt when they are done blooming. The flower will not form a seed pod if it ...
calla lilly	7/2/2008
Q: Why does my calla Lilly turn to seed and does not bloom? A: Thanx for your question. The calla lily does not go to seed without blooming. The bloom is what ...
unknown plant	7/1/2008
Q: I have a plant in my garden that has come up larger every year now for about three or four ... A: Thanx for your question. It might be Kirengeshoma palmatum (yellow wax bells). Take a look at this ...
when and how to germinate perennial poppies	7/1/2008
Q: A friend has given me seeds from the perennial poppies they have in a field. Given that it is July ... A: Thanx for your question. A lot of poppies don't transplant well so if you want to grow them ...
Growing Hostas from seed	7/1/2008
Q: I have been collecting seed from hostas for the past couple of seasons. Are there any special tricks ... A: Thanx for your question. I have grown hosta from seed a couple of times. There's nothing to it. ...
creeping fig	6/30/2008
Q: Our one creeping fig, planted at the back of our house and intended to cover one side of the house ... A: Thanx for your question. Good luck with this plant. It can get out of hand quickly and it can also ...
hydrangea trees	6/29/2008
Q: we have a 20 feet tall hydrangea trees when fully bloom. my husband started cutting off all the dead ... A: Thanx for the addtional information. I'm glad to hear the hydrangeas are doing well. I don't think ...
Hibiscus Syracus Marina	6/29/2008
Q: I live in SW France, near Cahors, where the temps are normally between 85 and 100 in June to Sept. I ... A: Thanx for your question. It is entirely possible that the plant can be saved. The last thing to ...
snowball tree recently planted	6/28/2008
Q: I just planted this snowball tree, gave it a good amount of space and some rich compost and ... A: Thanx for your question. I think your snowball bush is fine. Replace the dirt and pack it in. You ...
Celosia	6/28/2008
Q: I've had Celosia (spiked type) growing in the garden for number of years. That's strange because ... A: Thanx for your question. Celosia are annuals so the reason they are coming back is due to the fact ...
hydrangea plants	6/27/2008
Q: I have had a hydrangea plant for several years. 4 years ago we moved to upstate SC and since then it ... A: Thanx for your question. If you are feeding your hydrangea, make sure the fertilizer isn't high in ...
weed and seed and my flowers	6/26/2008
Q: recently i added ortho weed and feed to my lawn and added a little around some of my flowers to help ... A: Thanx for your question. You cannot put Weed and Feed around your flowers because it will leach ...
mother of thyme	6/26/2008
Q: I purchased creeping thyme from a seed co and although it has spread outrageously over the past year ... A: Thanx for your question. The mother-of-thyme (creeping thyme) should grow 3-6 inches tall and is ...
Phlox	6/26/2008
Q: I am new to gardening and I planted garden phlox this year. The leaves towards the bottom of my ... A: Thanx for your question. I don't think your phlox have a pest. Same thing with the peonies. For ...
calla lilies	6/25/2008
Q: I bought potted calla lilies and they were fine for a couple weeks, now the flowers are turning ... A: thanx for your question. Check around the base of the plant and make sure the plant is not rotting ...
Hardy Cyclamen tubers	6/25/2008
Q: I live in NJ (zone 6), and I planted hardy cyclamen tubers into my garden late May. I purchased ... A: Thanx for your question. One thing the hardy cyclamen does not like is damp soil. If you are ...
Hydrandga	6/25/2008
Q: I live in zone 8/9 in Central Florida. I have had my hydrangea for 4 years and it has done well ... A: Thanx for the additional information. By the way, I used to live up north in Ft. Walton Beach and ...
spider mites	6/24/2008
Q: mine are starting to turn red..normal for now or could there be a problem? we did have mites, got ... A: Thanx for the question. Use the horticultural soap spray and just keep treating them off and on all ...
burning bushes -June	6/24/2008
Q: mine are starting to turn red..normal for now or could there be a problem? we did have mites, got ... A: Thanx for the additional information. Because you have already rid yourself of the spider mite ...
Day Lilies	6/24/2008
Q: When there are no blooms left and all buds are gone,Do I cut the spikes off the Day Lilies or leave ... A: Thanx for your question. When your daylilies have finished blooming you can cut off the flower ...
Rose of Sharon Tree	6/23/2008
Q: We have 2 Rose of Sharon Trees in our front yard, one of them is leafing out as it should and ... A: Thanx for your question. As long as the leaves are not curled or deformed looking, the tree just ...
Hydrandga	6/23/2008
Q: I live in zone 8/9 in Central Florida. I have had my hydrangea for 4 years and it has done well ... A: Thanx for your question. I'm going to need more information before I can attempt to answer your ...
My yellow azalea	6/20/2008
Q: I purchased three azalea's this year, one red, one pink and one yellow. the red and pink bloom but ... A: Thanx for your question. My guess is something happened at the nursery before you bought your ...
rose of sharon	6/20/2008
Q: What kind of soil do rose of sharons like A: Thanx for your question. Rose of Sharon is a very tough plant and will tolerate all kinds of soils ...
Half of boxwoods dying	6/19/2008
Q: I live in central NJ, and have had two rows of boxwoods planted along either side of the steps by my ... A: Thanx for the additional information. It sounds to me like your plants have English boxwood ...
joe pye weed	6/19/2008
Q: I have 3 Joe pye weed plants that I planted last year. They only got about 2 feet high last year. ... A: Many of us had a prolonged, cool winter with barely a decent spring and lots of water. Some ...
Calla Lillies	6/19/2008
Q: Tom, I have always loved these flowers. This year I decided to add them to my deck garden so I ... A: Thanx for your question. Usually, the colored ones will start to go dormant after a month of so of ...
Peonies and Botryitis	6/19/2008
Q: Help! Every single one of my peonies have Botryitis. They all have big, brownish black spots. ... A: I would remove all of the affected areas of the plant and then cut it all the way back to the ground ...
snapdragons	6/19/2008
Q: I am growing snapdragons in a container. One has become very tall with lots and lots of new buds, ... A: Thanx for your question. I would go ahead and prune off the stalk that isn't blooming if it hasn't ...
Blue Star Junipers not healthy after winter	6/18/2008
Q: I have what I believe are two Blue Star Junipers planted in my landscaping about 4 or 5 feet from ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like juniper twig blight. Here is a link to the ...
peonies	6/18/2008
Q: I have two peonies. Both are in a partially sunny area because of trees that need pruning. They ... A: Thanx for your question. I have never heard of a peony changing color. I've never seen it. ...
Calla Lilly	6/16/2008
Q: About a month ago I received a Calla Lilly, flowers and all. The plant did not come with directions ... A: Thanx for your question. The plant is probably going dormant. Stop watering it and allow the corm ...
elephant eye plants	6/15/2008
Q: My elephant plants are turning brown and dying. Never had a problem like this in the past. What ... A: You've got me on this one. I do not know what an elephant eye plant is. Usually, when a plant is ...
cala lily	6/15/2008
Q: I received a potted cala lily as a gift. The flowers are a pretty deep mauve color. I am keeping it ... A: Thanx for your question. Calla lilies, particularly the colored ones will go dormant after ...
Calla Lilies in Alaska	6/15/2008
Q: I just bought a beautiful Calla Lily and am wondering if I should pot it and then bring it in for ... A: Thanx for your question. Your calla lily will not survive an Alaskan winter. Keep it as a potted ...
bouganvilla	6/14/2008
Q: my plant froze last winter. Iit has really grown this spring, but hasn't bloomed yet. Does it take ... A: Thanx for your question. Bougainvillea are frequently grown in areas which may experience a mild ...
Hibscus plant problem	6/14/2008
Q: I have an established hibiscus plant growing in part of my garden. It is about 4 ft (120 cm) high ... A: Thanx for your question. Are you in Canada? I am in the Midwest of the USA. My hibiscus are ...
crepe myrtle trees	6/14/2008
Q: i live in louisiana .my tree will not bloom someone told me some trees bloom late. how ... A: Thanx for your question. Some varieties of crape myrtle will not begin to bloom until July but once ...
Italian Heather Plants in Zone 3B	6/13/2008
Q: I too have just received an Italian Heather plant as a gift and am curious as to if it can withstand ... A: Thanx for your question. The Italian Heather is not frost tolerant and will not survive your ...
LilacShrub	6/12/2008
Q: Last summer my daughter bought me a lilac shrub/bush/tree-PLANT...it had a few dried up florets on ... A: Thanx for your question. I don't think you did anything wrong. I think the shrub is becoming ...
wilting dahlias	6/11/2008
Q: i have grown dahlias before but never this many in one spot. my dahlias are wilting in the day ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you have grubs or maybe moles or ground squirrels munching ...
cala lilly	6/11/2008
Q: i bought cala lillys from a florist i left them in a vase and left for a number of days when i came ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like there is an insect manufacturing some kind of web inside ...
transplanting iris	6/11/2008
Q: I was just in upstate NY and dug up my grandmother's iris, since she's moving into sr citizen home. ... A: Thanx for your question. I would go ahead and plant my iris now and water them once week if you're ...
hydrangea	6/10/2008
Q: i planted a hydrangea last year, don't remember the name of it except that it is a tree type, it ... A: Thanx for your question. One thing the nurseries or DIYs don't tell us about plants and that some ...
Asiatic Lillies	6/9/2008
Q: My lillies have become infested by a red bug that have been eating the leaves and leaving behind a ... A: Take a look at this link and see if this is the bug you describe. ...
peony's	6/8/2008
Q: I have peonies that have been in the same spot since we moved here so more than 16 years, The last ... A: Thanx for your question. In general, peonies are pretty tough and resist all kinds of adverse ...
Forsythia Growing in NE Arizona	6/8/2008
Q: I have bought 4 each plants from Gurney and Miller two years ago that have not grown. The living ... A: Thanx for your question. I did not see you e-mail inbox in your question. You probably need to ...
red star cordyline	6/7/2008
Q: I have two red star cordylines planted about 6 feet apart in the same flower bed. One plant has new ... A: The bottom leaves of the red star cordylines will eventually turn yellow and die off as the tip ...
Hibiscus Tree	6/7/2008
Q: I live in NC, I planted my 2 hibiscus trees about a month ago in a planter. I also added flowers ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your hibiscus has aphids or spider mites. You need to get ...
bluish-purple low sedum	6/7/2008
Q: I have a low (4" height) sedum that I can't identify. Of course, I didn't save the tag. I believe ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like you are describing Sedum cauticola Stonecrop - ...
Dying honeysuckle	6/6/2008
Q: I bought a honeysuckle plant that grew perfectly fine until I moved the pot to another location ... A: I think more than anything your honeysuckle resents being left in a pot and it is becoming rootbound ...
Moon flower seeds	6/6/2008
Q: I recently moved to a new home. The yard was in very poor condition and we are redoing the ... A: Thanx for your question. By moonflower I am assuming you mean datura or jimsonweed or thornapple ...
Climatis	6/6/2008
Q: My Clematis which is 3 years old bloomed well even though it is not very tall. It has only been ... A: Thanx for your question. Usually, the blooming period will be longer than a week but unfortunately ...
Why is my calla lilly is dying	6/6/2008
Q: I bought a pottet calla lilly about 2 weeks ago. It was doing great til about 2 days ago when a saw ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like your plant has got some type of fungal rot. I would ...
peony plant with no flower	6/6/2008
Q: I have a peoy plant that give tons of foliages every year, but it never had any flowers. What do you ... A: Thanx for your question. First of all, the plant benefits from at least 6 hours of direct sunlight ...
Perennial drought tolerant plants	6/4/2008
Q: Want to landscape back yard with perennial drought tolerant plants. Would like a list and ... A: Thanx for the additional information. Here's a partial list. I've also included a reference to the ...
Burning Bushes	6/3/2008
Q: We've had our burning bushes for over 12 years and live in a suburb of Kansas City. During the past ... A: Thanx for the additional information. My experience with the Grass Pad folks has been pretty good ...
HELP	6/3/2008
Q: I have many flowers and they are not all perennials some are annuals, and I am very confused on how ... A: Thanx for your question. Unless you are saving seeds, feel free to remove the spent blooms of your ...
Azalea	6/3/2008
Q: I have found what I have been told is a gall type fungus on my Azalea plants,what is the remedy for ... A: Thanx for your question. This information came from Clemson University: Leaf gall (Exobasidium ...
yucca	6/3/2008
Q: why don't some of my yucca plants bloom every year A: Thanx for your question. I think it depends upon the species of yucca. Some do not bloom every ...
periwinkle	6/3/2008
Q: Do you know how to remove clover from a periwinkle bed without killing the periwinkle? I tried ... A: Thanx for your question. In this case you can dig up the areas with the clover infestation, ...
hostas	6/2/2008
Q: I live in zone 8. What side of my house should I plant my hostas? The back yard faces north and I ... A: Thanx for your question. I live in zone 5/6 and I have all of my hostas underneath an oak tree. ...
Hibiscus	6/1/2008
Q: I have hibiscus scrubs in southwest Florida. How often should they be trimmed and at what time time ... A: Thanx for your question. If the hibiscus are the hardy kind that go dormant in the winter, you may ...
Burning Bushes	6/1/2008
Q: We've had our burning bushes for over 12 years and live in a suburb of Kansas City. During the past ... A: Thanx for your question. I'm in Kansas City on the Kansas side. Your burning bush problems sounds ...
dwarf Alstroemeria	5/31/2008
Q: I live in Tucson AZ and would like to know how to care for a dwarf Alstroemeria and further can it ... A: Thanx for your question. I believe Tucson is in USDA Zone 8 so the dwarf alstroemeria should be ...
Hybiscus tree	5/31/2008
Q: I recently purchased my first potted Hybiscus tree and don't know much about care. I have read ... A: Thanx for your question. Many people prefer to "deadhead" or remove the spent blossoms of blooming ...
Lillies	5/31/2008
Q: I have several varieties of potted lilies (petunias, as well). I need to know how or if I should ... A: Thanx for your question. You should not prune lilies. After they bloom, don't cut the green growth ...
iris transplanting	5/31/2008
Q: I have an iris group that I have moved and already put back into the ground. my question is: can you ... A: Thanx for your question. In my opinion, I would not cut the leaves back even though you have ...
Hibiscus	5/31/2008
Q: I live in central Oklahoma (OKC suburb)and transplanted my hibiscus plants when we moved here from ... A: I'll be you have aphids on you plants. Look underneath the leaves, along the stems and around the ...
Limp Sedum	5/29/2008
Q: I live in the Philadelphia, Pa.area A neighbor gave me some Sedum plants,but when i planted them, ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your plants received quite a shock from the transplant. In ...
buddleia plants	5/29/2008
Q: WE purchased a butterfly bush in a planter. We would like to plant it in the ground. We are ... A: Thanx for your question. Your butterfly bush will do fine in the Atlantic City/South Jersey area. ...
hydrangeas	5/27/2008
Q: I recently planted several hydrangea plants that were purchased from a garden center. They seem to ... A: Thanx for your question. A lot of times plants at a garden center may not be watered appropriately, ...
Datura Problems	5/26/2008
Q: Holes, poor blooms, etc.. any luck? Thanks A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your datura is the victim of a pest. I think it may be the ...
Co-workers gave me a big Calla Lilly.. HELP!	5/25/2008
Q: I have no clue how to care for a Calla Lilly and when I was sick my co-workers gave me a very large ... A: Thanx for your question. Me personally? I'd plant the calla outside for the spring, summer and ...
quack grass	5/25/2008
Q: We have a center garden area that has a weed blanket down and have put small bushes (not sure what ... A: Thanx for your question. Here's what I do with bindwind which always gets in the middle of stuff I ...
snapdragons	5/25/2008
Q: ok-- i have bought 3 sets of snapdragons only to have them all die in a few days-- they do not like ... A: Thanx for your question. Here's the short of it. Snapdragons like direct sunlight and will ...
Calla Lillies	5/25/2008
Q: How often do they bloom? How much feeding do they require? A: Thanx for your question. Callas are not hardy in most parts of the U.S. and the corms should be ...
Forcing Lilly of the Valley	5/25/2008
Q: My wife and daughter have a mutual love for Lilly of the valley and both look forward to their short ... A: Thanx for your question. I must admit I have never tried forcing Lily-of-the-Valley before but I ...
seeds and preen	5/23/2008
Q: I have put preen on my garden beds after tilling...now I want to plant seeds...is there any way that ... A: Thanx for your question. Preen prevents seed germination. I would not waste my time trying to ...
Perennials	5/22/2008
Q: I live in Minneapolis, MN, and I am looking for some good climbing perennials for my trellises. I ... A: Thanx for your question. You're right, morning glories are grown as annuals here in most of the U.S. ...
wilting iris leaves	5/22/2008
Q: I live in Canada, and it is well past May and time for spring planting. I purchased some healthy, ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like the iris is going through some transplant shock. ...
geraniums	5/22/2008
Q: I planted red ivy geraniums in pots with new potting soil. They have begun turning a purple-red ... A: Thanx for your question. I believe the reason for the change in color of your geranium blooms is ...
Planting	5/21/2008
Q: I am having the toughest time planting store bought container perenials. Invariably they always go ... A: Thanx for your question. Plant your perennials in the morning when the sun isn't as hot or direct ...
ground cover nightmare	5/21/2008
Q: moved into this house in August, so now i get to see what's growing for spring. This is my 1st ... A: Thanx for your question. I am always loathe to use chemicals, but sometimes you just have to do ...
moon flower	5/20/2008
Q: I have one moon flower plant and want to know how to divide the plant. A: Thanx for your question. When you say moon flower, are you talking about datura? The flowers are ...
Sweet Broom	5/20/2008
Q: I have several sweet broom bushes it is beautiful in spring but it has this little caterpillars that ... A: Thanx for your question. Can you tell me where you are located? Also, is there a place you can ...
Peonies	5/19/2008
Q: When should you plant a bare root peony in zone 8? I have it right now. How do I keep it until ... A: Thanx for your question. The peony rhizome can be planted anytime as long as there are at least 30 ...
Passionate Blush	5/19/2008
Q: I bought a dying plant from a garden centre for 50pence last year and hoped I could somehoe revive ... A: Thanx for your question. I grew Gaura a few years ago and it was a beautiful plant. I ...
ursulas red fern	5/19/2008
Q: I just received my ursulas red. I opened the package. Only to find that it was bare rooted and ... A: Thanx for your question. I think your plant will be fine. The first time I received ferns through ...
Annabelle Hydrangea looks sick	5/17/2008
Q: I bought 4 hydranza annabelle last year. This year all four started with small leaves. but one is ... A: Thanx for your question. Where are you located? What kind of winter did you have? What kind of ...
Calla Lillies	5/17/2008
Q: I am having a problem with my calla lillies rotting. When I purchased the plant a few weeks ago, it ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like your calla lilies are suffering from bacterial soft ...
Day Lillies	5/16/2008
Q: Last year we planted Day Lillies, Cherry Cheeks, in our 4 barrel planters. They blossomed last ... A: Thanx for your question. If you live in the far north or Canada, the roots may have frozen in the ...
forsythia growing	5/16/2008
Q: Any ideas why my forsythia blooms on just the lower part? I live in the snowy northeast. Other ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds to me like the type of forsythia you have is not hardy enough ...
gardenias	5/15/2008
Q: We have a gardenia plant in a pot on our patio. We have had it for several years. We recently ... A: Thanx for your question. I'm not sure what it is. It doesn't sound like any of the pests that are ...
geum..Lay Stratheden or Mrs. Bradshaw	5/12/2008
Q: I an entering the third year with the above mentioned geums. They look so healthy..all nice and ... A: Thanx for your question. Well, I'm stumped too. If the plant appears healthy, it should have ...
Periwinkle	5/12/2008
Q: I live in western Massachusetts. 5 years ago I planted "sterling Silver Periwinkle" in my garden ... A: Thanx for your question. I always hate to do this but in a pinch, Roundup applied around the ...
Peonjy	5/11/2008
Q: Last year my Mom passed away In WV. I brought her peony to South Carolina and planted it. The plant ... A: Thanx for your question. Generally, you can count on peonies not blooming for 2-3 seasons after the ...
Italian Heather	5/10/2008
Q: I live in zone 7 and I just got some Italian Heather. I want to know will this kind of heather ... A: Thanx for your question. Italian heather is not frost tolerant so it is not suitable as an outdoor ...
plants	5/10/2008
Q: i am planning to put in some new flowers this spring.i live in North Carolina.I saw some Mexican ... A: Thanx for your question. Here is a link to North Carolina State University and a list of perennials ...
burning bushes	5/8/2008
Q: I recently purchased 4 burning bushes. They all had green leaves. I planted them and about 1 week ... A: Thanx for you ruqestion. When you say burning bushes are you talking about the perennial shrub? If ...
azalia's	5/8/2008
Q: I need some advise please do they need full light, can they be planted out doors as a perennial, ... A: Thanx for your qestion. Azaleas benefit from some shade in the Southern U.S. They are usually ...
Day Lillies	5/6/2008
Q: My Day Lilies are really thick. When do you know when it is time to seperate them,and what is the ... A: Thanx for your question. Separate daay lilies aevery 3 years. Dig the clumps up at the end of the ...
Hibuscus care	5/5/2008
Q: Just got a potted hibiscus plant as a gift,about 3-4 ft. tall.How do I care for it.POT is 8". Do I ... A: Thanx for your question. Is this a tropical hibiscus (house plant)? If so, it will do well ...
hydrangeas do not bloom year 3	5/3/2008
Q: I live in zone 5 and have had hydrangea bushes for about three years that will not bloom (just one ... A: Thanx for your question. If it's really hot in the summer where you live, hydrangeas can benefit ...
Elephant Ear Mammoth	5/2/2008
Q: We just bought two Elephant Ear Mammoth bulbs, and we would like to know how to take care of them in ... A: Thanx for your question. In th4e fall, allow the first frost to kill back the plant. It won't hurt ...
Burning Bush Tips Cut????	4/30/2008
Q: I have burning bush that is a couple years old and it looks like some one pruned it. No one pruned ... A: Thanx for your question. Sometimes in a a really windy day the ends of shrubs will snap. Did you ...
planting too deep	4/28/2008
Q: I bought a new house in the fall so, of course, this spring I had to plant. I planted a lot of ... A: Thanx for your question. If you only planted the plants 3-5 inches deep, I'd leave them alone. I ...
junipers	4/25/2008
Q: The deer ate the juniper shrub ground cover on the side of our hill. Will the junipers come back ... A: Thanx for your question. I'm really not a shrub expert but I have experience with junipers (ground ...
Lavender bush	4/23/2008
Q: I live in Seattle, it's April and I was wondering if it's too late to trim back my lavender bush, ... A: Seattle is a marvelous city. I spent two weeks there teaching a class through my employer and it ...
bouganvilla	4/21/2008
Q: my bouganvilla appeared dead, but as the weather warmed I can see that it's not. My question is.. It ... A: Thanx for your question. I'm a Kansas native but I lived in Monterey back in the late 70s for a ...
Burning Bush	4/16/2008
Q: I have a packet of 25 seeds for burning bush and have never had one before , could you please tell ... A: Thanx for your question. I would plant all of the seeds because you're going to want more than one ...
Dwarf Norway Spruce	4/11/2008
Q: I'm looking for information on when and how to prune dwarf norway spruce. I have quite a few in my ... A: Thanx for your question. In my opinion, I would NOT prune them. Leave them alone and allow them to ...
Can you divide a honeysuckle bush?	4/11/2008
Q: A friend has several honeysuckle bushes taking over her flower bed. Is there a safe way to divide ... A: Thanx for your question. Now is the best time to separate bushes. Dig up the clumps and you can ...
Privet Hedge	3/23/2008
Q: My soil is highly acidic and I need advice on fertilizing my privet hedge. A: Thanx for your question. Privet do well in soils with a pH of 6-7, so if it is lower than 6 add a ...
Wild Romance Aster	3/22/2008
Q: I am located in N.E. Iowa and this was the first winter for our hummingbird garden. I am wondering ... A: Thanx for your question. I would go ahead and tidy up the garden by removing all of the dead ...
dinner plate hibiscus seeds	3/22/2008
Q: Tom, I am trying to get dinner plate hibiscus seeds to germinate. I put them in potting soil and ... A: Thanx for your question. It can take up to a month for the hard little hibiscus seeds to germinate ...
rose of sharon cutting	3/22/2008
Q: I have a couple of rose of sharon bushes. I recently found out that you can start a new plant by ... A: You can take cuttings in the late spring and make the cutting about 6-8 inches long stripping off ...
Bougainvillea	3/20/2008
Q: I am in the desert. (las Vegas) I had 3 Bougainvillea put in last spring. They grew all summer and ... A: Thanx for your question. I'm very familiar with the Las Vegas area and because the ground doesn't ...
Lillies	3/19/2008
Q: I have what i think my be a cala lily growing in our yard. The problem is they smell like dog poop. ... A: Thanx for your question. I think your plant is an arum, especially if it stinks. Here is a link ...
hydrangea care in Tucson Arizona	3/15/2008
Q: Hydrangea are so gorgeous. I just bought some at Basha's, pink and one white. How do I care for them ... A: The kind you bought at the grocery store (isn't Basha's a grocery store? I live in Phoenix at one ...
Stella De Oro (daylily)	3/13/2008
Q: I would like to plant just one Daylily by my mailbox just to accent it. My questions is, will the ... A: Thanx for your question. Daylilies usuall will increase by one or two roots per season, sometimes ...
Cala Lily and Zebra Plant	3/13/2008
Q: I need to know the best way to care for a Cala Lily and also what am I doing wrong with my Zebra ... A: Thanx for your question. You can grow your calla lilies outdoors after the ground warms up like a ...
potato vine	3/12/2008
Q: A nice lady in TX gave me 2 potato looking ..... I guess "bulbs." There are no sprouts and someone ... A: Check out this link and let me know if this is the same potato vine. I've grown these before and ...
Oakville (Toronto) Ontario Canada	3/10/2008
Q: How can I find out just what perinnials will grow in my zone? I love traditional English ... A: I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. Thank you for your question. Try the ...
Irises	3/8/2008
Q: I have some dutch iris, in a flower box, that have already started to grow. I noticed that their ... A: Thanx for your question. If your climate permits, go ahead and transplant the Dutch iris. I will ...
Pruning Hydrandga's in Winter	3/5/2008
Q: My large Hydrandga has dried up all winter and I didn't cut it back at all for fear of having no ... A: Thanx for your question. Prune your flowering shrubs after the blooming period but before the ...
Anemone flower	2/27/2008
Q: I just planted some anemones, and found out they are poisonous to animals. Do you know how much of ... A: Thanx for your question. Most cats are prudent enough that they will avoid harful plants. Many ...
not sure what to do...	2/25/2008
Q: I read that it was ok to plant bulbs that have already started to sprout, as long as the ground ... A: Please don't apologize for asking questions on this site. That's what it is for and we all want you ...
sagging branches	2/24/2008
Q: I'm not sure if this is an appropriate place to ask this question but I'll give it a shot. I have ... A: Thanx for your question. I'm not an expert on trees or shrubs. I do know that improper pruning and ...
perennial bulbs	2/23/2008
Q: I forced alot of bulbs in pots for my house. I am wondering what to do with the bulbs until spring ... A: Thanx for your question. There's not much you can usually do with bulbs that have been forced. ...
Tiger Lily	2/20/2008
Q: How do I care for Tiger lillies in central Florida A: Thanx for your question. Tiger lilies prefer full sun and well drained soil. They are pretty easy ...
Autumn sage & cape honeysuckle	1/26/2008
Q: I live in Las Vegas. We have two cape honey suckle and 6 Autumn Sage. I cut them back to about ... A: Your plants are going to be fine. It never hurts to cut a plant back in the winter. These plants ...
bouganvilla	1/9/2008
Q: I have a giant bouganvilla that I have planted in my front yard. I live in Jacksonville, FL and ... A: Thanx for your question and I apologize that it took me so long to get back to you. I doubt if your ...
moving or prunig back a clamatis	1/6/2008
Q: I am in the process of installing a furnace in my garage, and the exhaust is going to interfer with ... A: Thanx for your question. I am sorry I was not able to get to you sooner. Prune the plant back in ...
winter maintainace for hybiscs trees	12/30/2007
Q: I live in Toronto, Canada and have brought 3 hybiscus trees indoors for the winter but they are not ... A: Thanx for your question. Your hibiscus are probably alright they are just going dormant for the ...
keeping geranium	12/12/2007
Q: I was advised that in order to keep a gorgeous geranium plant through the winter for next spring ... A: Thanx for your question. It is natural for geraniums and other plants from high sun, tropical areas ...
Oakleaf Hydrangeas	12/8/2007
Q: When should I prune my Oakleaf Hydrangeas? They have grown so tall in the last 2 years and I would ... A: Thanx for your question. My sister-in-law is called Heidi too. Prune flowering shrubs after they ...
magnolia bush	11/4/2007
Q: We planted our magnolia bush in the spring of 2005. We are in zone 3/4 and are on one of central ... A: Thanx for your question. Magnolia are supposed to be deer resistant but realize that when very ...
dividing canna lillies	11/4/2007
Q: I live in zone 5a in Iowa, (-20F), and have to dig up my cannas. I formerly lived in NC and never ... A: Thanx for your question. One thing I did in the past was to cut the stalk of the canna off about 6 ...
Asian Jasmine propagation	10/31/2007
Q: I have some asian jasmine (established for 2 years)that I would like to propagate some of it to ... A: Thanx for your question. Wait until spring and then take 6-8 inch green (soft) cuttings and strip ...
Alstroemeria Princess Lilies	10/28/2007
Q: I live in Ohio Dayton I like to store the lilies over winter how is this done A: Thanx for your question. It is best to grow Alstroemeria in you area in containers and then bring ...
crepe myrtils	10/27/2007
Q: 5 years ago I set out some 'dwarf' crepe myrtils. I prune them every winter. They were supposed to ... A: Thanx for your question. Crepe myrtles should be pruned after their finish blooming in late summer ...
lirope	10/24/2007
Q: Saw where you were looking to grow lirope from seed two years ago. did you have good luck? I have ... A: Thanx for your question. I am not from North Alabama so I think you must have me confused with ...
Pruning Lantana in Southern California	10/23/2007
Q: I am about to have Lantana planted from flats on two slopes. One slope will have the red-yellow ... A: Thanx for you question. I apologize for the delay in answering you. 'Radiation'is a bush-type of ...
Canadian Pot Mum	10/23/2007
Q: I just received a Canadian pot mum and am wondering if it can be planted outside and will it come ... A: The chrysanthemum is hardy from zones 5-9. You should have no problem with growing it in Maryland ...
Hardy Hibiscus	10/23/2007
Q: I received a hardy hibiscus in May and planted it outside. It was growing fine, with some blooming ... A: thanx for your question. It sounds like either a parasite or some kind of bacterial infestation. ...
Hardy Mums	10/23/2007
Q: Tom, I have 5 great looking H.MUMS. [bought them] I would like to propagate from these. How and when ... A: Thanx for your question. I won't laugh. ;o) Next year, when your mums begin to grow again, allow ...
spirea	10/20/2007
Q: every fall i used to cut my spirea back to about 9" to make sure i a great spring bloom. (sometimes ... A: Thanx for your question. When I was a kid, we had a spirea in the front yard. My dad hardly ever ...
pink jasmine	10/17/2007
Q: I need to transplant two pink (Japanese) jasmines. I live in Dallas, Texas. Can I do that now or ... A: The pink jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) is hardy from zone 8-11 but does best in zones 9 and above. ...
Winterizing a Peony Bush	10/17/2007
Q: I purchased this plant, (by accident) in the spring, and I need to know how to winterize it? I live ... A: Thanx for your question. You can mulch your peony plants with 3 inches of cypress bark. Remove the ...
cali lillies	10/15/2007
Q: My sister in law just gave me some cali lilly bulbs, and her plants have a sort of seed pod what is ... A: Thanx for your question. I think you're talking about calla lilies. These plants are poisonous so ...
begonia's	10/14/2007
Q: Can I bring begonia's inside to keep during winter? A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can bring begonias indoors and treat them as a house plant during ...
bouganvilla	10/13/2007
Q: Tom, I'm in Scottsdale AZ. Can you tell me everything I need to know: Plant in sun/shade? How to ... A: Thanx for your question. I lived in Phoenix and Glendale back in the late 70s and early 80s. ...
coreopsis	10/13/2007
Q: I'm in zone 5. Where can I buy COREOPSIS seeds? Can the seeds be planted this Fall before freezeup? ... A: Thanx for your question. Coreopsis seeds are available at most garden centers, even Walmart. In ...
moving perenials in zone 4	10/7/2007
Q: I have moved a few blocks away from a house that I am selling and would like to move a few ... A: Thanx for your question. It is a bit late to be moving plants in zone 4 however, if you heavily ...
Crepe Myrtle	10/6/2007
Q: We planted our Crepe Myrtle near our garage about 4 years ago and now we realize it needs to be ... A: Thanx for your question. I would wait until next spring right after the last frost. Prune the ...
rocks as weed stoppers	10/5/2007
Q: I want to fill my flower bed with decorative stones to stop the weeds. I do have plastic down and ... A: Thanx for your question. Weeds always have a way of finding the oddest places to grow. Even ...
moon plant - bush	10/2/2007
Q: When do I cut this plant back? A: Thanx for your question. If by moonflower, you mean the datura, jimsonweed, Gabriel's trumpet, ...
Zebra Grass	10/2/2007
Q: We love our Zebra Grass. It grows beautifully here in NE Oklahoma. It is such a special addition to ... A: Thanx for your question. I apologize for not getting to you sooner. The only way to control these ...
lillie pods	10/1/2007
Q: I have multiple different kinds of lillies. The ones I am referring to are a dark red. they have ... A: Thanx for your question. The pod should be dry and brown and starting to shrivel. If you're ...
calla lily	10/1/2007
Q: I have a calla lily is a pot that I am planning on bringing in for the winter. How much of the ... A: Thanx for your question. I apologize for my late reply. Allow the plant to go dormant on its own. ...
Day Lilies	9/28/2007
Q: I received a bunch of dug up day lilies a few days ago. I have them in a bucket of water right now. ... A: Thanx for your question. Take the day lily rhizomes out of the water, this will rot them. If you ...
Mums	9/28/2007
Q: How can I make mums grow back the following year after I purchase them? I live in the northeast. A: One of the things that causes mums to die in the winter is the fact that the ground heaves. That ...
Fuscias	9/26/2007
Q: How do I winterize my fuscias? I work at a Dr.s office and our porch has hanging baskets and I ... A: Thanx for your question. The best way to winterize fuchsia is to bring it indoors, cut the plant ...
Perennials	9/25/2007
Q: I have a whole side of my house that gets NO sun at all. I want to have some pretty flowering ... A: Thanx for your question. It is going to be difficult to find a lot of flashy perennials for shade. ...
moon flowers	9/24/2007
Q: My plants bloomed beautifully and have since gone to seed? formed small prickly balls-- how do i ... A: Thanx for your question. Moonflowers are also known as datura and jimsonweed. All parts of the ...
Amaryllis Storage	9/23/2007
Q: I have about 10 amaryllis bulbs that that I transplanted in the outdoor garden in the Spring after ... A: thanx for your question. I keep my amaryllis in a long planter and I never remove them. I just set ...
Gladiolas	9/23/2007
Q: I planted glads this year for the first time and after a couple have finished blooming the flowers ... A: Thanx for your question. The things you speak of sound like seeds to me. They may be kind of ...
fall planting	9/22/2007
Q: I live in zone 6. Lakes region of NH. I want to start planting a colorful fall garden. Suggestions ... A: Thanx for your question. For fall color use chrysanthemums, asters (there are beautiful New England ...
Tiger Lillies	9/21/2007
Q: This is the first summer I have planted tiger lillies. They bloomed beautifully. Now my question ... A: Thanx for your question. With any bulbaceous plant, allow the green growth to continue growing. ...
planting mums	9/18/2007
Q: I wanted to plant some mums up in front of a guardrail that runs along our yard but was told that ... A: Thanx for your question. Sometimes plants do not do well if they are near the road line and a lot ...
hydrangeas	9/18/2007
Q: My Mom has 3 hydrangeas that she wants to move, she does not know the name of them but they bloom ... A: Thanx for your question. In a hot climate like Georgia, hydrangeas will benefit from some shade in ...
day lilies	9/17/2007
Q: I live in Rochester, NY on Lake Ontario...sandy soil. I got some day lilies in pots as a gift. It ... A: Thanx for your question. Your day lilies will do much better in the ground, however, if you must ...
Moon flower	9/17/2007
Q: I was given a moon flower as a gift. I planted it next to my iris and it has flourished. It is the ... A: Thanx for your question. Datura can be a beautiful plant but it can also be a noxious weed. It is ...
plants that grow in really soggy ground	9/16/2007
Q: I am looking for something that will grow in a soggy spot....there is on low spot on the side of our ... A: Thanx for your question. These plants will grow well in soggy soil. Aruncus dioicus - Goat's Beard ...
Cordyline Australis	9/16/2007
Q: ... I am so confused. I have 2 Cordylines, planted in 18' pots.. one, Red Star, and one, Red ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you are watering your plants too much. The plant is native ...
Moving..Want to take my perennials with me.	9/16/2007
Q: I have been renting for 5 years and am moving into my own home. I am trying to find a way to bring ... A: Thanx for your question. If you can move your perennials now, do so. The key is to get them moved ...
non-flowering honeysuckle vine	9/16/2007
Q: I have a honeysuckle vine, which I purchased in a 1-gallon pot a little more than five years ago. ... A: Thanx for your question. Honeysuckles (lonicera) have hermaphroditic (both male and female) flowers ...
plant information	9/14/2007
Q: I recently purchased a perennial at Lowes which they called "Amethyst Rain". It has medium green ... A: I found a heuchera called amethyst mist but the leaves aren't green and I don't think it forms a ...
water lilie ?	9/11/2007
Q: I live in Michigan and my grandfather had these water lilie type, maybe hosta plants along his ... A: Thanx for your question. Is the plant you speak of generally growing in the shade or partly shaded ...
peonies	9/11/2007
Q: How do i know how many divides i can get from one peony bush if i want to transplant to start more ... A: Thanx for your question. Here is a great URL with pics to show you how to divide your peony. Bear ...
night bloomer	9/10/2007
Q: I came across a night bloomer once that apparently originated in Ireland or Holland. This plant's ... A: Madam, You really want to make me work for my position here on Allexperts don't you? Just kidding. ...
Creeping fig	9/10/2007
Q: We just planted a creeping fig by our block wall but are now having second thoughts. Will this ... A: Thanx for your question. The creeping fig can be incredibly invasive. I don't care for it. It can ...
magnolia bush	9/8/2007
Q: I live in Central Minnesota and have had a magnolia bush now on the 2nd year. It bloomed in the ... A: Thanx for your question. Let your magnolia bloom. It will be ok. Sometimes flowery shrubs and ...
rhodedendrons	9/5/2007
Q: I planted numerous rhodys last fall. Three bloomed this year, six did not. All were about the same ... A: Thanx for your question. Where do you live? The ones in the shady spot, does the soil drain well? ...
cannas not crepe myrtles	9/5/2007
Q: Opps! Had a sometimers moment... Bulbs in question are cannas... as we know crepe myrtles do not ... A: Thanx for clearing it up for me. Cannas are only hardy to zone 7. Do not refrigerate the rhizomes. ...
crepe myrtle - digging up bulbs now	9/5/2007
Q: Can I dig up crepe myrtle bulbs now and refrigerate till I replant somewhere else in the winter with ... A: Thanx for your question. Crape myrtles are trees that often grow as shrubs in cooler climates. ...
night bloomer	9/5/2007
Q: I came across a night bloomer once that apparently originated in Ireland or Holland. This plant's ... A: Thanx for your question. You said the plant's base is about a foot wide a circular. Is the plant a ...
moon plant	9/4/2007
Q: are they poisonous to humans A: Thanx for your question. By moon plant are you refering to a bushy plant with large, white trumpet ...
columbines that don't bloom	9/4/2007
Q: I have some columbines in my garden that bloom in the late spring- and while those are blooming - in ... A: I asked you for your location and I meant, where are YOU located (in what state, country, province, ...
China Doll	9/4/2007
Q: I was recently given a plant called China Doll. Is it a perenniel or annual? Will is grow in WV or ... A: Thanx for your question. I think you are talking about Radermachera sinica. In West Virginia this ...
day lillies	9/2/2007
Q: We have mature day lillies that have become quite large. After they bloom can they be cut back to ... A: Thanx for your question. I always recommend that the green growth of daylilies not be cut back ...
columbines that don't bloom	8/31/2007
Q: I have some columbines in my garden that bloom in the late spring- and while those are blooming - in ... A: Thanx for your question. What is your location? I live in Kansas and my columbines bloomed from ...
butterfly bush	8/29/2007
Q: It was colder Easter in Ga. than Christmas. My bush is doing OK bloomwise but should I fertilize or ... A: Thanx for your question. You may prune after the plant has finished blooming or in the winter or ...
asiatic lilies	8/27/2007
Q: I have purchased some already bloomed Asiatic lilies in a pot. I would like to plan these in my ... A: Thanx for your question. Definitely remove the seed pods as they will take energy away from the ...
growing my first lavendar plant.	8/21/2007
Q: I just bought my first lavender plant and have it in a pot on my porch, I've heard I need to cut it ... A: Thanx for your question. Cutting back lavender a few inches all around at a time, will encourage ...
Cordyline australis problem	8/20/2007
Q: I am writting from Greece (forgive my poor english). A month ago I bought 5 Cordyline australis ... A: Thanx for the additional information. Now that the pots are free draining and it appears that most ...
Clay Soils	8/17/2007
Q: I have clay soil that I have amended. It's a 2 tiered rock garden. I have hostas, irises & lamium ... A: Thanx for your question. Here is a URL for excellents lists of perennials for zones 3-4. ...
dwarf hydrengas not blooming	8/16/2007
Q: I have two dwarf hydrengas that don't bloom. I live at the Jersey shore and have sandy soil. I ... A: Here is a link on paniculatas (pee gees) http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/paniculata.html Your ...
Lillies	8/16/2007
Q: My friends Asiatic and oriental lilies have declined in two of her gardens...just a few stragglers ... A: thanx for your question. The problem could be one of many. In the NE U.S. and Eastern Canada there ...
Container Gardening	8/15/2007
Q: I live in Chicago and would like to grow shrubs (hydrangeas, etc.) and maybe some grasses in pots. ... A: Thanx for the additional information. Basically, you can plant just about anything you want in the ...
Daylilies	8/15/2007
Q: I'm writing from Kerala in South India. When we moved here from St Louis in 2004, I brought some ... A: Thanx for your question. Daylilies require a cold period in order to be successfully grown. Living ...
Container Gardening	8/15/2007
Q: I live in Chicago and would like to grow shrubs (hydrangeas, etc.) and maybe some grasses in pots. ... A: Thanx for your question. You may most definitely grow small trees and shrubs in pots. I lived in ...
Annabelle Hydrangea looks sick	8/13/2007
Q: This is my second season with this particular annabelle. The plant doesn't seem as full as my other ... A: Thanx for the additionaly information. I don't think you have a problem just plants growing at ...
Cala Lily	8/11/2007
Q: When the flowers dies and I leave it on the plant, there seems to be a bunch of green round seeds ... A: Thanx for your question. In short, yes you can allow the seed pod of the calla lily to dry and save ...
Annabelle Hydrangea looks sick	8/9/2007
Q: This is my second season with this particular annabelle. The plant doesn't seem as full as my other ... A: Thanx for your question. Where are you located? Is the plant in full sun? Is it regularly ...
what's wrong with my lenten rose?	8/9/2007
Q: Can you tell me what's wrong with my lenten rose, please? Thanks <img ... A: Thanx for the question and the pic too. I don't think there is anything wrong with your lenten ...
Ixoras: Maui and Norah	8/8/2007
Q: I live in Jacksonville, FL. I have about 10 Ixoras; my favorite is the Maui but find that the Maui ... A: Thanx for your question. I might suggest Sunniland Palm and Ixora fertilizer. I think their ...
irish moss	8/7/2007
Q: Some of my Irish moss is turning brown and dying. I've tried everything from over watering to ... A: Thanx for your question. I tried to grow this stuff a few years ago. I know the places that sell ...
HYDRANGEA - NO BLOOM	8/6/2007
Q: I PLANTED 4 HYDRANGEAS LAST YEAR THAT WERE BEAUTIFUL. i DID NOT CUT BACK THE OLD WOOD AND THIS YEAR ... A: Thanx for your question. Planting in partial shade for hydrangeas only applies to parts of the ...
asiatic and ornimental lillies	8/5/2007
Q: I have a large number of lilies, which my friends love and want. Instead of digging up the bulbs, ... A: Thanx for your question. Lily seeds vary in their requirements for germination. Many require cold ...
hydeangeas no flowers	8/4/2007
Q: a nieghbour of mine has 2 hydrangeas 1of which is at least20 years old the other 15 years. for the ... A: Thanx for your question. Too much pruning will definitely result in no flowers. Are you in Canada ...
Shasta Daisy too tall and leggy	8/4/2007
Q: I have alot of shasta daisies in different locations in my yard, but one bunch in particular get so ... A: thanx for your question. The way your shasta daisies perform is how mine always did. Part of the ...
Hydrangea	8/3/2007
Q: I have three 15 year old Hydrangeas about 6 ft tall. Every year they have been covered with Blooms. ... A: Thanx for your questions. When you say you used bluing formula, are you talking about acidic ...
dwarf hydrengas not blooming	8/2/2007
Q: I have two dwarf hydrengas that don't bloom. I live at the Jersey shore and have sandy soil. I ... A: Thanx for your question. Have the hydrangeas never bloomed before? Do you feed them? Do you prune ...
moon plants	8/2/2007
Q: I would like to know how you know the difference between a moon vine and a moons flower. A friend ... A: Thanx for the question. Both datura (moon plant, jimsonweed, thornapple, etc.) and the moon vine ...
daylilies	8/1/2007
Q: I moved into a new home in the late fall without any idea of what to expect to grow come spring. I ... A: Thanx for your question. I have been fighting wild day lilies for the past 15 years at my house. ...
Black eye sues	8/1/2007
Q: I just bought two black eye sues, I have them in potting pots right now and do plan on putting them ... A: Thanx for your question. It has been hot in a good portion of North America. You'll need to water ...
moonflower	7/31/2007
Q: my moonflower isnt blooming and it is the end of july and i have seen others in bloom A: Thanx for your question. By moon flower do you mean the morning glory vine that blooms at night or ...
pink spirea turn brown	7/31/2007
Q: I have two pink spirea bushes that get pretty pink flowers for a week and then they turn brown. I ... A: thanx for your question. There could be a number of reasons for the browning of the spirea flowers. ...
brugmansia blossoms browning	7/30/2007
Q: I have a large brugmansia that has been in full bloom for several days now. It is on a sunny deck ... A: Thanx for your question. Check your self-watering system. Brugs hate wet feet although they like ...
Honey Suckle	7/30/2007
Q: My Honey Suckle is very woody and not flowering.New leaves grow but then die off, although the plant ... A: Thanx for your question. I would prune the plant back severaly this fall and it will generate new ...
Cordyline australis problem	7/30/2007
Q: I am writting from Greece (forgive my poor english). A month ago I bought 5 Cordyline australis ... A: Kalimera Nina, Thanx for your question. Your command of the English language looks fine to me! ...
moon plants	7/29/2007
Q: I would like to know how you know the difference between a moon vine and a moons flower. A friend ... A: thanx for your question. Another name for the moon flower is thornapple. It sounds like you have a ...
moonflower	7/29/2007
Q: We have a beautiful moonflower by our pool. A friend was over yesterday and said the moonflower was ... A: Thanx for your question. If the moon flower grows as a loose shrub with large, trumpet-like flowers ...
vine propagation	7/29/2007
Q: I've been trying for years to propagate a very nice vine, ampelopsis aconitifolia. Layering, soft ... A: Thanx for your question. Softwood cuttings are the recommended way. Berries I have germinated ...
black eyed susans	7/29/2007
Q: In the summers of 2005 and 2006 I planted several dozen black eyed susans from a reputable nursery. ... A: thanx for your question. It sounds like your plants have wilt or it could be just a bacterial ...
Daylillies	7/28/2007
Q: I have another question for you concerning daylillies. You mentioned the part of the plant I ... A: Thanx for your question. Daylilies grow from an organ called a rhizome. Rhizomes are merely stems ...
Rose of Sharon becoming a tree instead of a bush	7/28/2007
Q: We bought a house where I have two rose of sharons (one is white and the other is purple). They are ... A: Thanx for your question. In many areas, a rose-of-sharon will develop into a small tree if it is ...
Gardening symbols	7/28/2007
Q: I am trying to find gardening symbols with photos so I can understand how to care for some plants I ... A: Thanx for your question. I think the Thompson and Morgan seed catalogue has a nice listing of ...
hydrandga not blooming	7/28/2007
Q: I have three hydrandga plants for 4 or 5 years now and they have never bloomed. The plants get full ... A: Thanx for your question. Stop using the Miracle Grow please and switch to Miracid. Hydrangeas love ...
Calla Lilies	7/27/2007
Q: I have live in Portland, Oregon and have a large white calla lily growing in my front yard. Every ... A: When you say collapse, does the foliage turn yellow and the plant disappears? I am thinking this is ...
daylillies	7/26/2007
Q: Tom, We found daylillies last year! We love them and they love the sun and they come up every ... A: Thanx for your question. If they have already bloomed the "buds" are probably the seed pods that ...
replanted easter lily	7/25/2007
Q: the replanting went well. I have it inside my home. New leaves forming well however i noticed ... A: It sounds to me just as you said, there is fungus (including the mushrooms) growing in your plant ...
previous question on lillies	7/23/2007
Q: I wanted to follow up on the previous question about daylillies and moving them. I am thinking of ... A: Thanx for your question. Actually, I have moved my lilies whenever I felt like it as long as I had ...
Ixora Maui	7/23/2007
Q: I live in zone 9a. I thought this was a perennial, but now think it's supposed to be an evergreen ... A: Thanx for your question. Ixora Maui is hardy from zones 9a to 11 but will die back after sustained ...
Dinner Plate Hibiscus/Monsella Tulip	7/23/2007
Q: Two questions. I have the large dinner plate Hibiscus flowers blooming but they bend to the ground ... A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you may prop up your dinner plate Hibiscus. There are green colored ...
Star Jasman	7/23/2007
Q: I have a star jasmine tall hedge. Can I propagate this to make more plants by cuttings. (explain ... A: Thanx for your question. Take softwood/green wood cuttings, 6-8 inches long in the early summer and ...
flys on holly bush	7/22/2007
Q: I have a large holly bush in my back yard. It is about 20 years old. It is very healthy and grows ... A: Thanx for the follow up info. I am so sorry it has taken such a long time to get back to you. I ...
Day Lilies	7/21/2007
Q: I read your explanation about why Day Lilies don't bloom past the end of July but the ones at a ... A: Thanx for your question. I hope my answer didn't confuse anyone. There are reblooming daylilies ...
hibiscus and daylilies	7/20/2007
Q: i love plants and have had a garden now for three years. i have had success for the most part but i ... A: Thanx for your question. Can you tell me approximately where you're located? Are the hibiscus ...
Best way to start new roots from a plant clipping	7/20/2007
Q: am so frustrated! Please help... :) I have been trying to grow roots of the White Mandevilla Plant ... A: Thanx for your question. Take a green/soft wood cutting from the vine where the stem meets the main ...
calla lily and tuberose	7/19/2007
Q: I have had a calla lily planted for about 5 years now and it has only bloomed one time. It is very ... A: Thanx for your questions. Are the plants in pots or in the ground? Either way, give them some bone ...
hibiscus tree	7/19/2007
Q: Tom, first I don't know much about the garden. I bought a hibiscus tree from Walmart.I don't know ... A: Thanx for the additional information. Because the tree is outdoors, in the ground, use the ...
lackluster perennials	7/18/2007
Q: Last year I planted happy return daylillies that thrived but hardly no bloom this year. I live in ... A: Thanx for the followup. I use a pitch fork to dig up my lilies and separate. Usually, when you dig ...
Can you identify this plant	7/17/2007
Q: I have recently been seeing a plant in beds that looks like an Iris leaf but produces a long stalk ... A: Thanx for your question. It does sound like a member of the iris family. How tall is the plant and ...
Bougainvillea not blooming	7/17/2007
Q: I live in North Florida and have Bourgainvilleas that are doing great with the exception of no ... A: Thanx for the follow up. I don't recommend depriving the plant of water. I have grown ...
clamatis	7/17/2007
Q: Is it possible to start a clamatis vine from a clipping? A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you can start clematis from a cutting. Take 6-8 inch cuttings from ...
Buds but no bloom	7/15/2007
Q: I live in SW Florida and have numerous hibiscus. They maintain a deep green color and are full of ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like your plants have an infestation of gall midge. The midge ...
Planting perennials near lilacs	7/14/2007
Q: I have planted several perennials near in front of some large lilacs in my yard. These are mostly ... A: Thanx for your quetion. I was doing some research on the Internet on the allelopathy of lilac. ...
"Un"-blooming daylily	7/14/2007
Q: I have successfully grown several varieties of daylilies in my prairie garden, including 'Catherine ... A: Thanx for your question. If the other day lilies are performing then this one particular variety ...
phylox	7/14/2007
Q: I have a group of phlox in my front garden. It has grown exactly where I want it to; however, when ... A: Thanx for your question. Creeping or moss phlox spreads by underground runner so the mat of plant ...
ferns	7/13/2007
Q: I have a big fern problem i didnt plan them they just started growing they have taken over my ... A: Sound like you have some ferns that propagate by underground runners. It's going to be difficult to ...
hibiscus tree	7/13/2007
Q: Tom, first I don't know much about the garden. I bought a hibiscus tree from Walmart.I don't know ... A: Remove the plant from its pot. Prune off all of the dead or dying material. Replant the plant in a ...
Weeping Willow Insects	7/12/2007
Q: I recently purchased a weeping willow tree. First I think I over watered and the leaves turned ... A: Thanx for your question. Sounds like your weeping willow got attacked by aphids. Ants love them ...
Agapanthus/Lily of the Nile, deer resistance	7/12/2007
Q: I've not been able to find much information as to whether or not the Agapanthus africanus plant ... A: According to Texas A&M University and Oregon State University, agapanthus is deer resistant. Most ...
Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower	7/12/2007
Q: Is there any trick to growing the queen victoria? I put it in my garden this year and it appears to ... A: thanx for your question. You may need to stake the plant if it is top heavy. I don't know that this ...
Hydrangea	7/12/2007
Q: I have a beautiful Hydrangea bush but now flowers. The leaves are dark green and healthy. The bush ... A: Thanx for your question. Does you area often experience late frosts? If so, these late frosts will ...
question about hostas	7/12/2007
Q: I have 4 hosta plants in a small shade garden that have been there for about five years. They were ... A: Thanx for your question. Were you in a part of the U.S. that had a late freeze? I know this ...
Mums	7/12/2007
Q: Can you plant mums in the fall? I live in Illinois. A: Thanx for your question. You can plant mums in Illinois in the Autumn. They are often on sale here ...
stella d'oro daylilies	7/11/2007
Q: I have read that taking off the dead blooms and their little stems encourages more blooming. What ... A: Deadheading many flowers (removing the spent blooms) often encourages many plants to rebloom. The ...
why my money plant withers?	7/11/2007
Q: i wanted to ask why my money plant withers? when i kept it inside, it withered, now i kept it ... A: Thanx for your question. If you are talking about Reuellia makoyana, its soil needs to be ...
Black Eye susan	7/10/2007
Q: We have grown black eye susans for years. This year the leaves are getting black spots on leaves, ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like you have a fungal problem. Black-eyed Susans seldom have ...
Bougainvillea not blooming	7/10/2007
Q: I live in North Florida and have Bourgainvilleas that are doing great with the exception of no ... A: Thanx for your question. I don't think it's the water, I think it is the fertilizer. I would stop ...
lackluster perennials	7/10/2007
Q: Last year I planted happy return daylillies that thrived but hardly no bloom this year. I live in ... A: Thanx for your question. The pods you speak of are seed pods and they need to be removed because ...
canna lily not blooming	7/10/2007
Q: I moved into a home with many canna lilies. They bloomed the first year, but now they form what ... A: Thanx for your question. Where do you live and what kind of soil and climate conditions do you ...
Hibiscus Tree Care	7/9/2007
Q: I have a hibiscus tree that my mother gave me a few years that finally got a single flower. My mom ... A: Thanx for your question. I am in Kansas City and I have a friend down here from Bethany. I also ...
Care of Cala Lillies	7/9/2007
Q: I was given a 4" pot of cala lillies and now the leaves are gorgeous and green and getting tall, ... A: Thanx for your question. Your calla lilies are almost done blooming. Go ahead and dead head them ...
10" tall perennials in zone 5	7/9/2007
Q: I am looking to plant something in front of green hedges that will bloom in the spring/summer. Full ... A: Thanx for your question. It's hard to find a perennial that will bloom all spring and summer long. ...
peony plants	7/8/2007
Q: Thsi may be a dumb question....but does one cut peony plants down in the fall or leave them as they ... A: Hey Bob, Thanx for your question. Your question is absolutely NOT a dumb question. I used to ...
Fox Gloves	7/7/2007
Q: I have my fox gloves growing in bunches. Now that they are a little bigger should i dig them and ... A: Thanx for your question. You should thin out your foxgloves when they are still small but you can ...
Peonies - seed pods	7/7/2007
Q: Wondering if i can take the seed pods from the peonies and begin new plants? If so when is the best ... A: Thanx for your question. Some peonies will set seed. I've not seen any develop on any of mine but ...
calla lilies	7/6/2007
Q: Mine are the largest I'v ever seen given to me by a neighbor...3tiny little bulbs ...and now 6 ... A: Thanx for your question. Allow the flower to completely bloom. The seed pod will begin forming. ...
Petunias	7/5/2007
Q: I have a hanging basket of petunias, which I water daily & deadhead regularly,too, but now there a ... A: Thanx for your question. Are you fertilizing them? If so, you should stop. Check the soil. If it ...
care after daylilly blooming	7/4/2007
Q: Should I cut back the plant after their blooming season is over? A: Thanx for your question. Don't do anything with the daylilies until autum when their leaves start ...
PERENNIAL NAME/INFO?	7/4/2007
Q: I saw a 6-pak of small purple-flowered border plants that were in the perennial section. Said they ... A: Thanx for your question and the additional information. Aubrieta is a good ground cover for your ...
black eyed susans	7/4/2007
Q: Tom - I'm interested in starting "susans" in a very sunny place in our yard - first of all, when do ... A: Blackeyed Susan is a common name for a number of plants both perennial and annual. All of these ...
calla lilies	7/4/2007
Q: My mother in law trimmed off the "dead bloom" (I have no idea what the correct term for it it) of ... A: What you discribe is the seed pod of the calla lily. You should allow the pod to dry out completely ...
Crepe Myrtle trees in Nashville, TN appear to be trees no more!	6/29/2007
Q: We have had 2 Crepe Myrtle trees (about 10-12 ft tall each) in our yard for 2-3 years- we bought ... A: Thanx for following up. Sounds to me like your plants have just been slow to come out of their ...
Stella Dora Daylillies	6/29/2007
Q: The gardening center said they would do good in part shade. They were flowering but now have ... A: Thanx for your question. As much as the big boys and girls in the flower industry try to convince ...
calla lilies	6/28/2007
Q: Mine are the largest I'v ever seen given to me by a neighbor...3tiny little bulbs ...and now 6 ... A: Thanx for your question. Sounds like you had a good experience with your callas. Allow the seed ...
Weed control products for groundcover	6/27/2007
Q: I have a hillside planted with vinca. A fellow who did yard care for me a couple years ago sprayed ... A: Thanx for your question. I cannot tell you what the spray is because I am not familiar with it. I ...
peonies and moonflowers	6/27/2007
Q: I have a fern leaf peony someone gave me. It is a baby plant and was planted last June. When will ... A: Thanx for your question. What is your location? Generally, peonies will not bloom for 2-3 years ...
day lillies not blooming?	6/27/2007
Q: I planted a wide variety of day lillies about 5 years ago and have divided them several times and ... A: Thanx for your question. It could be a type of crown rot. Has it been very wet this year? Also, ...
stella d'oro lillies	6/25/2007
Q: I have had stella d'oro lillies for the past few years. They have usually rebloomed throughout the ... A: Thanx for your question. First, if the stellas have been in the same place for many years, it's ...
perennial disease or ?	6/25/2007
Q: I have several different plants that are exhibiting the same symptoms. I have examined the plants ... A: Thanx for your question. It sounds like spider mites. You can control spider mites with ...
Calla Lillies	6/24/2007
Q: I have had the same 3 calla lillies in pots for four yrs (in K.C. also)I set them out ea spring but ... A: Thanx for your question. The callas only bloom once and then after a space may begin to go dormant ...
calla lilies	6/23/2007
Q: My son is getting married July 14, I am growing oriental and calla lilies in pots. The calla lilies ... A: Thanx for your question. This question is really for a florist. I don't have any experience with ...
hydrangea drooping	6/22/2007
Q: The flowers on my plant are so heavy they droop to the ground. What is the recommendation on ... A: Thanx for your question. It depends upon how serious you are about the presentation of your plants. ...
withering plants that are dying	6/22/2007
Q: I've noticed for about a week know that the leaves on my dahlias have been turning whitish. and the ... A: Thanx for your question. The tiny red critters are probably spider mites. There are a number of ...
Crepe Myrtle trees in Nashville, TN appear to be trees no more!	6/21/2007
Q: We have had 2 Crepe Myrtle trees (about 10-12 ft tall each) in our yard for 2-3 years- we bought ... A: I'm in Kansas City and we had the freeze too and a lot of our plants wre seriously disabled. I'm ...
Brugmansia not blooming	6/20/2007
Q: It had bloomed two summers ago when I first bought it. However, last summer it did not do too well ... A: Thanx for your question. Four hours of sun is not enough and are you feeding the plant a low ...
Black Eyed Susans	6/16/2007
Q: I have a number of plants the exhibit curled leaves. The leaves are green in color and look healthy ... A: Thanx for the additional info. Leaves will curl if it has been particularly warm and dry. The ...
my snaps are dying	6/15/2007
Q: I read the post from 05/17 and my snaps are dying too. However mine are simply wilting and ... A: Thanx for your question. I'm in Kansas City and we have had tons of rain too! Part of the problem ...
unknown perennial	6/13/2007
Q: I have a perennial growing in my yard that I have been unable to identify. The foliage is 16 inches ... A: Thanx for the info. To be honest with you, it always makes presents a challenge to me when people ...
Himalayan Poppies	6/12/2007
Q: I've seen pictures of these poppies, and would love to try and grow one or two. However, I've heard ... A: Thanx for your question. Unfortunately, I believe the answer is no. Himalayan poppies are finicky ...
Day Lillies	6/9/2007
Q: You seem to be the daylily king! I live north of Toronto in a zone 4 area. I'm also very rural - ... A: Either way you suggested are good ways. I can be somewhat obsessive so if by 20X15 you mean feet ...
Brugmansia and Datura	6/7/2007
Q: I live in Sacramento, CA, zone 9, and I have a problem with getting my Brugmansia and Datura to ... A: Thanx for your question. In regard to the brugmansia. If it gets pretty hot in your area, sometimes ...
unknown perennial	6/4/2007
Q: I have a perennial growing in my yard that I have been unable to identify. The foliage is 16 inches ... A: Thanx for your question. First, I need to know your general location (Alaska, Minnesota, Toronto, ...
Periwinkle	5/31/2007
Q: Tom, My wife and I have a problem with the Periwinkle in our from yard spreading and actually ... A: I try to be as Earth-friendly as possible so I seldom recommend defoliants or other weed killers but ...
columbine	5/31/2007
Q: Will it hurt a columbine if the flowers are cut back too soon. A friend asked if they needed to be ... A: Thanx for your question. Removing the flowers will not harm the columbine. I little girl savagely ...
Petunias	5/31/2007
Q: I live in central New jersey.I bought petunia from the Home depot where they were flowering ... A: Thanx for your question. Petunias require full sun that's probably why the blossoms are weak. ...
gladiolas, zinnias	5/30/2007
Q: I planted gladiola bulbs in diff area in my yard. Some have come up and some havent. I thought it ... A: Thanx for the additional information. Wait another week or so for the rest of your gladioli corms ...
growing asiatic lillies in Alaska	5/28/2007
Q: I live in the Anchorage area in Alaska and need directions on how to plant these in my flower garden ... A: Thanx for your question. Asiatic lilies are hardy from zone 3-10 so you are ok. Plant the bulbs in ...
mulch or no mulch?	5/27/2007
Q: I live in the Puget Sound region of Washington State and my backward is newly landscaped. I prefer ... A: Thanx for your question. Yes, you should go ahead and mulch to your heart's content. As the ground ...
bed renovation	5/27/2007
Q: I have a large overgrown bed (60’x9’) next to a farmhouse that I would like to renovate, but my ... A: Thanx fopr your question. Yes, you can move the peonies now if you must. Why can't you just till ...
calla lilies	5/27/2007
Q: My first experience with calla lilies is flower drooping. The plant is healthy, but every flower is ... A: Thanx for your question. Calla lilies need full sun for 6 or more hours a day, warm temperatures, ...
elephant ears	5/26/2007
Q: I recently dug up elephant ears from my mom's garden that she's had for many years. the plants were ... A: Thanx for your question. I imagine there was an element of shock to the plants but I think they ...
Hibiscus	5/24/2007
Q: I live in AZ and have 5 hibiscus plants. I did have more that were thriving until the mid summer. ... A: Thanx for the follow up. Please don't use that recipe. Please use organic materials such as the ...
daylillies	5/21/2007
Q: I moved from Indiana to Kentucky and took some of my daylillies with me. They did'nt bloom the first ... A: Thanx for your question. Your day lilies shoud be in full sun, sitting in soil that is well-drained ...
help with acypress	5/21/2007
Q: I planted a Sungold Thread Cypress last year, actually 3 of them and one of them I have noticed a ... A: Hey Jim, Thanx for following up with me and providing me with the additional information. I don't ...
Cala Lilly	5/21/2007
Q: We planted some very healthy looking Cala Lillies a bout a month ago and they seemed to do okay for ... A: Thanx for your question. If these are colored callas (those that are yellow, pink, orange, etc.) ...
Hibiscus and Sun	5/21/2007
Q: my husband and I have two potted Hibiscus trees which we keep indoors during the winter and have ... A: Thanx for your question. Keep your potted hibiscus shaded from full sun but outdoors for 10 days. ...
lavender plants	5/21/2007
Q: I just purchased 2 lavender plants and live in southwest Colorado. Should I plant these outdoors or ... A: If you don't have Spanish or French lavender, Lavandul