Gardening Q and A
Paulownia (Princess Tree) – Identification
Q: This plant popped up (and how!)and is still growing. What in the world is it? A: In a “Biggest Leaf” contest, the prize almost always goes to either your tree, the paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) or the Chinese parasol tree...
Damaged Tree – Arborists
Q: I have two damaged trees. One looks like it got struck by lightening and the other just has a hole in the bottom that seems to tunnel up into the tree. Is there anything I can do to save...
Springtails – Collembola
Q: My friends showed me a very mysterious purple-ish spread on their concrete driveway after a warm rain in December. It is made up of tiny bugs and they are moving slowly. We are concerned about this invasion. A: Can...
Leyland Cypress – Repairing Vandalized
Q: I planted 12 Leyland Cypress trees approx 3 years ago to grow as a privacy hedge between me and my neighbors. They have done very well and were approx 8-10 ft tall. Today, I found 2 of them vandalized...
Irrigation System – Winterizing
Q: Do you have any information on how to winterize a sprinkler system? A: All you really need to accomplish is to get most of the water out of the system before extreme cold temperatures arrive. First, turn off the...
Grafting – Onto Bradford Pear
Q: Would it be possible to graft another fruit tree (some type of cherry preferably) to a freshly cut Bradford pear stump? I have three eighteen-year old Bradfords in my side yard that I would like to replace. A:...
Honeysuckle – Control
Q: I have some Japanese honeysuckle growing among a large stand of forsythia. The honeysuckle covers some of the branches so heavily that the forsythia bloom display in spring is less than it should be. When the forsythias drop all...
Plum – Early Blooms
Q: For the past few years, my plum tree has started to show its blooms in the middle of January. Prior to the snow this January it began to do the same thing. I know that it has a lot...
Asparagus – Harvesting and Weeding
Q: My husband has a very large asparagus patch. The weeds get in there and are difficult to eradicate. Is there a weed killer that would not hurt the asparagus? A: According to the Ohio Extension Service, harvesting and weed...
Ants – On Houseplants
Q: I had a nice jade plant but ants came in and made their home in it so I threw it away. I have since bought a smaller jade plant; so far it is thriving. Now ants have gotten to...
Rosemary – Growing Indoors
Q: I had a very large rosemary that flourished outside but it died of old age. I just bought two more and the label says they are hardy down to 20 degrees F. Should I keep them indoors or put...
Cabbage – Savoyed Leaves
Q: On the TV show “Jeopardy” earlier this winter, one of the questions was something to the effect of: “You have to wash off the grit from the curly- as well as the smooth-leaved variety of this savoy vegetable.” The...
Azalea – Leaf Drop
Q: I have several ‘George L. Taber’ azaleas. In winter, their leaves turn yellow, then slowly to brown, and then they drop off the plant. This is happening to all of the plants. I don’t think they need water as...
Tree – Guy Wire Still in Place
Q: I have a seven year old, fifteen foot tall Leyland cypress that still has the tie around the trunk where it was originally staked. The rope (with a plastic sleeve) has now grown into the tree trunk, preventing me...
Houseplants – Recommended
Q: I live in an apartment. I’ve never been particularly successful with plants. Can you recommend some nice indoor plants that are easy to take care of and that are neither heavy nor require heavy pots? A: Not all houseplants...
Abelia – Dwarf
Q: I bought a ‘Little Richard’ abelia to avoid regular pruning because it only reaches two to three feet tall. I planted it two years ago. The shrub now has several four foot tall shoots in the middle. Why did...
Tiger Lily- propagation
Q: Is it possible to harvest the little bulbs on the stalk of a tiger lily and start new plants? I didn’t know what they were at first because I guess I had never grown a true tiger lily. A:...
Blueberry – Pruning
Q: I have over one hundred rabbiteye blueberry plants, some almost 20 years old, and they need pruning. I get conflicting information on the proper time to prune. Please tell me when will be the best time. A: Blueberries flower...
