| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| Encore Azaleas | 11/22/2009 |
Q: I am considering buying Encore azaleas. I was wondering if they really do bloom as much as they are ...
A: I've never seen an Encore Azalea in flower, so I can't vouch for its level of bloom. However, I have ...
|
| japenese boxwoods | 11/21/2009 |
Q: A number of them in certain areas turn copper brown colored on certain branches, other ones, get a ...
A: As you seem to have more healthy boxwoods in you new planting than unhealthy ones, and as those you ...
|
| trimming taxux yews | 11/14/2009 |
Q: I have some 24 year old taxus yew shrubs that are taking over and would like to trim them back ...
A: No need to panic about the pruning! Taxus should be pruned in Summer or early Fall. They will take ...
|
| White fuzzy stuff on bark and branches of oleander | 11/13/2009 |
Q: I brought my two potted oleander plants inside for the winter. I live in Bella Vista, Arkansas. ...
A: I've been doing a bit of research on Oleander over the weekend and have discovered that one of the ...
|
| land scaping plants | 10/29/2009 |
Q: when to fertilize and what kind and when live in illinois . the following ; ...
A: Wow - this is quite a question! OK, first things first. As these are newly planted specimens I ...
|
| privet hedge | 10/28/2009 |
Q: I have a privet hedge about 4 feet from the side of the house. I keep it trimmed to about 6 feet ...
A: Privet can be a bit of a brute because they are greedy feeders! but I have seen privet planted 4' ...
|
| Newly planted shrubs turning brown | 10/26/2009 |
Q: I live near Philadelphia, PA. A week ago I had several new shrubs put in by a landscaper. Among ...
A: This is a bit of a vexed question! Firstly, conifers are a specialist subject, and I'm not an ...
|
| crepe myrtle | 10/23/2009 |
Q: I planted three bushes this year. How do I protect them this winter. Cover with commercial mulch ...
A: In cold areas it's never a bad idea to protect plants through the cold weather, especially during ...
|
| Crepe Mrytles | 10/20/2009 |
Q: I live in Austin, Texas and I have C.M. Trees planted in a shady area...The trees are 4 years ...
A: Now would be good as the plants should be going into the dormant period. Although there is going to ...
|
| hydrangas | 10/18/2009 |
Q: this year my plants got about six foot tall but four of them had no flowers and one had just four ...
A: Did you cut them back hard last fall? That's the usual reason why these problem-free plants don't ...
|
| Arborvitae | 10/16/2009 |
Q: I planted 14 arbor vitaes in April at a house in Denver, Colorado. I mixed the existing dirt 50/50 ...
A: First the soil - Arborvitae are really not too fussy about the soil type - so don't worry about ...
|
| Azaleas | 10/15/2009 |
Q: When is the best time to prune azaleas? Is that also a good time to root the cuttings? Any ...
A: The best time to prune azaleas is directly after they have finished flowering, by cutting back to a ...
|
| Dogwood trees | 10/15/2009 |
Q: There are a lot of small dogwood trees coming up under my main tree. Are these good Can I replant ...
A: You don't say how big the new dogwoods are, but they can certainly be transplanted. If they are ...
|
| planted arborvitaes; now browning a lot | 10/14/2009 |
Q: Greetings, I planted several, 5 foot, emerald green arborvitaes in the summer,and they have been ...
A: Arborvitae need a moist, but well drained soil in full sun! It may be that you were not able to ...
|
| Prunning | 10/12/2009 |
Q: HOW and when do I prune a Hydrangra Tree?
A: This is one of those 'two schools of thought' questions. Thought 1 says prune now and Thought 2 ...
|
| Emerald Cedar Spraying | 10/11/2009 |
Q: Vancouver, BC, I have a nice row of cedars, 5 years old, 10 feet tall, growing like mad, well ...
A: Spraying your Cedars with malathion will get rid of a pest called the Cedar Aphid, though as your ...
|
| arborvites | 10/11/2009 |
Q: I recently planted 4 small arbovites...about 3-4 ft tall...they are on the west side of my ...
A: Arborvitae are generally fully frost hardy, but as these are newly planted I might be tempted to ...
|
| podocarpus | 10/10/2009 |
Q: We planted a row of podocarpus for a back privacy fence. They look good, however, some of them ...
A: Podocarpus are really trouble free plants, and you have been treating yours in exactly the right ...
|
| Inkberry holly. | 10/8/2009 |
Q: Tips of leaves are turning black. They have the same texture and finish as the rest of the leaf - ...
A: Holly trees are generally pretty tough plants, but it may be that they have been under quite a lot ...
|
| wintergreen boxwood | 10/8/2009 |
Q: what is the best fertilizer and can you over water them. living in louisiana it is very wet this ...
A: I've had sooo many questions about boxwood dying recently from all over the States. It's getting ...
|
| azaleas | 10/8/2009 |
Q: I just acquired 3 red azalea bushes someone uprooted because they didn't like them. The have soil ...
A: These plants need planting now! The ground will still be warm from summer so the plants should be ...
|
| planting an aloe vera plant from one of it's leaves | 10/7/2009 |
Q: How do i plant another Aloe Vera plant from the one that I already have?
A: Aloe Vera are suckering plants - that means that they send out shoots just under the compost (or ...
|
| Pruning Globe | 10/7/2009 |
Q: I planted globe shrubs 3 years ago and have not pruned them yet. Is there a guide to follow to make ...
A: Pruning a plant to a specific shape can be difficult - but you may have a head start here. Your ...
|
| pruning shrub and hedge | 10/6/2009 |
Q: I have a Globe Blue Spruce - Picea pungens 'Globosa' that has outgrown its location and either needs ...
A: Conifers as a whole don't take kindly to being pruned and wont regenerate if you cut into the 'old' ...
|
| orleander roots | 10/5/2009 |
Q: I have an orleander very close to my pool. Some people tell me I should move them because the roots ...
A: How long has the plant been there and how big is it now? There is one variety of Oleander that ...
|
| Tea olive bush | 10/3/2009 |
Q: I have a tea olive in a container for at least 4 years. It has never bloomed. Any suggestions?
A: Tea Olive (Osmanthus) is a very problem free plant so I am guessing that the leaves on your plant ...
|
| techny arborvitae - full of bud. not densed | 10/2/2009 |
Q: I have 4 techny arborvitae planted 2 years ago.all are 5' tall.. all of them are not dense; it is ...
A: Arborvtae are very disease resistant and have few pests, but they have a very shallow root system ...
|
| camellia problems | 9/30/2009 |
Q: I have put my camellias in tubs to try to control the soil, but ALL of them have developed problems ...
A: Mmm - Odd one this! If you are putting acid loving plants in containers you should really use an ...
|
| hydrangea | 9/29/2009 |
Q: I live in Dutchess county, NY. I have 3 hydrangea I have had them about 5 yrs, they have grown about ...
A: From reading your question I don't think there is very much wrong with your Hydrangeas. I think it ...
|
| Taxus Yew | 9/25/2009 |
Q: We removed a 10ft yew and replaced with a 4-5 ft Yew. The large Yew was removed as a result of ...
A: The Taxus you removed would have thoroughly depleted the ground of nutrients for quite a distance ...
|
| Butterfly bushes & Lilacs | 9/25/2009 |
Q: Good day Gill, I have two questions. 1. I just planted three butterfly bushes about a week ago and ...
A: 1. - the butterfly bushes (Buddleia). You mention dead buds, not dead flowers, so I'm guessing that ...
|
| bronzing Green velvet boxwood | 9/24/2009 |
Q: One year ago we had 24 Green Velvet Boxwoods installed for a south facing formal front yard look. ...
A: As you are in Chicago my instinct says that this is probably damage caused by cold. If your front ...
|
| loropetulum | 9/22/2009 |
Q: I just purchased a loropetulum. I am concerned about how large it might get. Can it be pruned to ...
A: Loropetulum grow to about 6' x 6'. They can be gently trimmed back after flowering, but heavy ...
|
| transplanting evergreen bushes | 9/22/2009 |
Q: I have several 4' x 4' evergreen bushes that i would like to dig up and transplant to another area ...
A: 4'x 4' - that's pretty big! There really is no easy way to dig up big shrubs - it's down to hard ...
|
| damaged arbs | 9/21/2009 |
Q: 5 of my 15' tall arbs are damaged due to lack of water. Well problems...long story. They are ...
A: How close to your Arborvitae are the trees planted? Conifer roots do spread out a lot to balance ...
|
| hydrangeas | 9/21/2009 |
Q: My hydrangeas this year did not flower and the leaves were yellowish and curled. The edges were ...
A: This is a bit of a puzzle! If your other Hydrangeas did well (although the blooms staying green is ...
|
| overwintering Gardinias | 9/21/2009 |
Q: I live in zone 6 and would like to save the nice Gardenia I got as a present. Advise, what do I do ...
A: Leaves are probably dropping because the temperature is falling now, particularly at night, so take ...
|
| Althea Bush | 9/20/2009 |
Q: I've alwaysed love the Althea Bushes ever since my grandmother planted hers. This weekend I bought ...
A: You don't say what variety of Althea Bush you have bought, so take a look at the label which should ...
|
| overwintering Gardinias | 9/19/2009 |
Q: I live in zone 6 and would like to save the nice Gardenia I got as a present. Advise, what do I do ...
A: Gardenia's are tender plants and wont survive a winter outside in an area which gets frost. ...
|
| hydrangeas | 9/19/2009 |
Q: My hydrangeas this year did not flower and the leaves were yellowish and curled. The edges were ...
A: I am finding this question a bit puzzling - what did you fertilize the Hydrangea with and how? For ...
|
| yellow smoke bush | 9/18/2009 |
Q: This is the second season for my yellow smoke bush in full sun till late afternoon. It tripled in ...
A: Yes I'm afraid that Sumac and Sumach are the same thing, just a difference in spelling. If you have ...
|
| yellow smoke bush | 9/17/2009 |
Q: This is the second season for my yellow smoke bush in full sun till late afternoon. It tripled in ...
A: Smoke Bush (Cotinus) is affected by verticillum wilt. The only way to be sure your plant is ...
|
| Veriegated Caryopteris | 9/15/2009 |
Q: I have a caryopteris divaricata which has grown far too large for the space it's in. Can it be ...
A: Yes, your Caryopteris divaricata can be divided! The best time to do so is when the plant is in its ...
|
| transplanting yew/ evergreen shrub | 9/11/2009 |
Q: I tried to save what I believe is a yew shrub 3'x3' that a neighbor had pulled out and was going to ...
A: I don't think there is much you can do to save this plant. The roots where probably badly damaged ...
|
| snowball viburnum | 9/11/2009 |
Q: When and how should I prune my snowball viburnum in order to insure the most blooms in the spring? ...
A: This particular viburnum blooms on old wood, i.e. the wood that grows this year will bear flowers ...
|
| Can I use pruning reciprocating saw blade to prune shrubs | 9/7/2009 |
Q: I just bought a reciprocating saw and was wondering if installed a pruning blade, Can I use that saw ...
A: A pruning saw or blade is always the best and easiest way to go when pruning a shrub or small tree ...
|
| Privet stopped growing | 9/6/2009 |
Q: I have a privet hedge that's about 50 years old and borders three sides of our garden. It's about 70 ...
A: The amount of trimming you've done each year is exactly right and privet is very long lived, though ...
|
| Pruning crepe myrtles | 9/6/2009 |
Q: We have a crepe myrtle that is getting really tall, but is also growing out at the bottom. My ...
A: Your husband could certainly remove the lower branches of the myrtle and make a very stately tree! ...
|
| Lemon Cypress Shrub Trimming | 9/6/2009 |
Q: When is the best time of year to trim Lemon Cypress Shrubs? Mine are growing over the sidewalk and ...
A: Ideally your Crypess shrubs should be been cut back in late spring, but if they are causing a ...
|
| hydranga | 9/5/2009 |
Q: my hydrangea hardly flowered this year. the plant is 3 years old. I cut it back a lot last year ...
A: I think the problem lies with the cutting hard back last year. It is necessary to prune hydrangeas ...
|
| Buddleias (Davidii not included in question) - do they spread ? | 9/5/2009 |
Q: Do you know if Buddleia x weyeriana Golden Glow", Buddleia Salviafolia and Buddleja lindleyana are ...
A: Well now - Buddleias have flowers and pollinated flowers will produce seed and given the right ...
|
| crepe mrytle | 9/5/2009 |
Q: Is there a difference between a crepe mrytle bush & a crepe mrytle tree? If so, what? Thank you
A: The difference tends to be a matter of height and form. A bush or shrub produces several ...
|
| Hydrangeas | 9/4/2009 |
Q: My hydrangeas are in pots along side of my garage on the East side. they hav done wonderfully. but ...
A: I'm guessing that you are feeding and watering your plants regularly, and if there are no signs of ...
|
| Evergreen pine pruning | 8/12/2009 |
Q: I have a larger, well established, evergreen pine 6 - 8 feet tall by 6 feet wide. I was wondering if ...
A: Yes it is perfectly possible to cut out the bottom branches of your pine. Take off about 1/2 to 2/3 ...
|
| Hydrangia | 8/9/2009 |
Q: I bought an Endless Summer Hydrangia about a month ago. It was full of large blueish flowers. It ...
A: I think that your Hydrangea may be hungry! At 4 feet high it really needs to be in the ground and ...
|
| BURNING BUSHES ARE DYING!! | 8/6/2009 |
Q: My husband planted 7 Burning Bushes in our front yard approximately two months ago in May (2009). ...
A: Generally Dictamus (burning bush) is a trouble free plant from a pest/disease point of view, but it ...
|
| Buddleja | 8/5/2009 |
Q: how an when do i transfer my Buddlejas to my new garden. ANSWER: Dear Tracy Thank you for your ...
A: Transplanting any shrub this big would be a major undertaking - and very hard work! If you decide ...
|
| Buddleja | 8/4/2009 |
Q: how an when do i transfer my Buddlejas to my new garden.
A: I need a bit of information from you before I can fully answer yourYou say you want to transfer ...
|
| Variegated Pieris | 8/3/2009 |
Q: I bought and planted a variegated pieris 5/17/09 according to instructions. It gets early morning ...
A: The first thing you need to do is check your soil type. Pieris absolutely need an acid soil! You ...
|
| no blooms on crepe mrytle | 8/2/2009 |
Q: We planted a crepe last spring (it was just a tiny switch) the first season we got flowers, this is ...
A: As your crepe myrtle seems to be growing well in all other respects, it may be that it just needed a ...
|
| rose of sharon | 8/1/2009 |
Q: this year my rose of Sharon half only bloomed the other half seem like it wanted to sprout leaves ...
A: If you havn't noticed any pests (aphids etc.) and you can't find any physical damage on the side of ...
|
| Crepe Myrtles | 8/1/2009 |
Q: When is the right time to plant Crepe Myrtles and will it tolerate clay soil... which is the ...
A: A plant supplied in a container can actually be planted at any time of the year (except deepest ...
|
| deer eating my newly planted forsythias | 8/1/2009 |
Q: First off, thank you for taking my question and I hope you can help. I planted some new forsythia ...
A: Deer can completely devastate a garden in no time - I know from experience! Your forsythia will ...
|
| Hydranga | 7/31/2009 |
Q: My hydranga has grown hugh this year and had only a few flowers. Can it be split?
A: It isn't usual to split hydrangeas. The best thing you can do with a big plant is prune it back ...
|
| Limelight Hydrangea | 7/30/2009 |
Q: I have a Limelight hydrangea shrub that was planted June 18,2009. The shrub is flowering and ...
A: Hydrangea 'Limelight' is a panticulata type (in fact a new introduction from the Netherlands) - they ...
|
| techny arborvitae | 7/29/2009 |
Q: I have 8 six foot tall techny arborviitae planted at the back of my lot. They are planted about six ...
A: Arborvitae 'techny' grows to 15 feet at maturity (which could take up to 10 years). At a planting ...
|
| Butterfly bush care | 7/28/2009 |
Q: My butterfly bushes are getting yellow leaves at the bottom. What do I do? ANSWER: Hello Dawn ...
A: From what you say I don't think there's really anything to worry about, especially if the rest of ...
|
| Hedging disease? | 7/28/2009 |
Q: I have a Laurel hedge that I cut in July its leaves are now curling and going brown can you help?
A: I think the problem here is that you pruned at the wrong time of the year. Laurels should be pruned ...
|
| Butterfly bush care | 7/28/2009 |
Q: My butterfly bushes are getting yellow leaves at the bottom. What do I do?
A: I need more information in order to consider this one more fully - so: Which state are you in? Are ...
|
| Althea Bush | 7/26/2009 |
Q: We planted one in late March of this year. All was going well with green leaves and full of life. I ...
A: I think that too much watering may be a factor here - every other day is a bit too much for a newly ...
|
| shrub disease | 7/26/2009 |
Q: I have pine like shrub. The type that has branches that are then shaped into balls. The problem is ...
A: Would it be possible to post a picture of your shrub as it is very difficult to identify a plant ...
|
| Oleander | 7/25/2009 |
Q: We have an Oleander bush that is doing quite well, growing, expanding, but it has NO blooms. Has ...
A: I think the most likely explanation is that the aphids did a lot of damage before you noticed them. ...
|
| Althea | 7/24/2009 |
Q: What colors do the double blooming varieties come in? I have purchased the purple and red varieties ...
A: I have been thinking about this and I must say I am quite puzzled! Double flowers don't usually ...
|
| replanting | 7/24/2009 |
Q: Last month I planted a Raspberry crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia Indica), which just started to bloom & ...
A: You can certainly relocate your Lagerstroemia Indica, but as it is deciduous it would be best to ...
|
| Althea "Rose of Sharon" | 7/23/2009 |
Q: What colors do the double blooming varieties come in? I have purchased the purple and red varieties ...
A: I've had to do a bit of research on this one! I believe that there is a double golden yellow with ...
|
| Shrub/Grass | 7/22/2009 |
Q: I'm in the Chicago area. We're planting several shrubs around the perimeter of our yard. My husband ...
A: You husband has the right idea! Not only will the grass be difficult to keep trimmed around the ...
|
| privacy evergreen tree/bush?? | 7/22/2009 |
Q: I would like to put some privacy greenery along my property line...not sure what to use...I've ...
A: Yes you can use arborvitae as a hedging plant, but you must choose your variety carefully as some of ...
|
| Hydrangea | 7/15/2009 |
Q: I have several Hydrangea bushes in my backyard, and they are beautiful. I've noticed that the ...
A: It sounds like your Hydrangeas have an infestation of scale insect. They are sap suckers and can ...
|
| sweet broom | 7/12/2009 |
Q: I purchased three sweet brooms which were blooming beautifully at the time I purchased them in their ...
A: Your brooms should have settled into their new garden home by now! These plants like a well ...
|
| arborvities | 7/12/2009 |
Q: Another question...Will arborvities survive in the shade underneath larger trees?
A: Arborivitea (which is what I think you mean) are conifers and grow very large (20+ feet). In shade ...
|
| arborvities | 7/12/2009 |
Q: I was wondering if you knew where I can find the most inexpensive arborvities in my area. How would ...
A: The very best thing you can do is what you've done already - go online. Enter Arborvitea Suppliers ...
|
| butterfly busches | 7/11/2009 |
Q: i'am just starting to grow these busches and want to know if i can plant them now or wait till ...
A: You can certainly plant them now - just make sure that you water them regularly if the weather is ...
|
| Peking Cotoneaster | 7/11/2009 |
Q: I was wondering if you could provide me with some information in reference to my Peking Cotoneaster ...
A: Your planting position - not too sunny, but light - is just right for these plants. I think your ...
|
| Cuttings from Manhattan Euonymus | 7/11/2009 |
Q: I have a boatload of cuttings from Manhattan Euonymus that I brought to Va. from New Jersey in early ...
A: You don't tell me how big your cuttings are or if they are an evergreen variety, so I'll assume they ...
|
| rose of sharon shrub | 7/10/2009 |
Q: I planted a rose of sharon shrub and its leaves look droopy. leaves seem to look silvery Is ...
A: You say you just planted it outside after having the plant in a pot inside. I believe that your ...
|
| Hydrangia | 7/9/2009 |
Q: Why is only one of my hydrangea bushes blooming? They others are full of greenery just no blooms?
A: As one of your Hydrangeas is blooming I don't think the problem is too serious. Did you be any ...
|
| LIMELIGHT HYDRANGA | 7/9/2009 |
Q: I HAVE 3 LIMELIGHT HYDRANGAS. THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL UNTIL JUST BEFORE THEY BLOOM THEN THE LEAVES TURN ...
A: Hydrangeas need a deep, fairly rich soil which, while being water retentive, also needs to be free ...
|
| rose of sharon shrub | 7/9/2009 |
Q: I planted a rose of sharon shrub and its leaves look droopy. leaves seem to look silvery Is ...
A: Rose of Sharon (a variety of Hypericum) is usually pretty problem free! You dont tell me if your ...
|
| Arbivitas have worms in buds and are dying | 7/8/2009 |
Q: While sitting on the patio surrounded by an arborvitae hedge my husband noticed that the buds on one ...
A: I am not an expert on trees (I believe that your arborvitae is a conifer) and I can understand why ...
|
| burning bush | 7/8/2009 |
Q: i live in the lower half of micigan and would like to know if i can transplat a burning bush this ...
A: Not good news I'm afraid - burning bush (Dictamus fraxinella) likes to get its roots down and stay ...
|
| transplant spirea bushes | 7/8/2009 |
Q: We would like to transplant 2 spirea bushes to a different area in our yard. I believe they are at ...
A: OK - firstly, be assured that it's very difficult to kill a spirea! You don't tell me what variety ...
|
