Shrubs
Butterfly Bush – Invasive or Not
Q: On your website you write that butterfly bush is a good plant to attract butterflies. While that is true, the Georgia Department of Agriculture says butterfly bush is showing signs of becoming invasive. A: I know that other states...
Crapemyrtle – Pruning
One of the most confounding arguments I face is whether and how to prune crapemyrtles. They are mercilessly “murdered” by unaware landscapers and homeowners each winter… yet they still bloom in summer. Some people even believe a crapemyrtle won’t bloom...
Shrub – Pruning Calendar
The Home & Garden section of the Atlanta Journal and Constitution published a very nice pruning calendar several years ago. When viewed on a sheet of newsprint, it was gorgeous. When reduced to fit onto a sheet of typing paper...
Boxwood – Alternative Shrubs
Boxwood blight has had devastating effects on several metro Atlanta landscapes. If yours has suffered, there are alternative shrubs to consider for replacement. Thinking Outside the...
HOW TO TRANSPLANT SHRUBS
Back during the summer, my wife and I threw a big party to celebrate the end of remodeling our kitchen and sunroom. In honor of the occasion, I invited two people who knew my house “way back when”. Dottie Myers,...
Panicle Hydrangea – Identification and Pruning
Panicle hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata, is an excellent flowering shrub for late summer and fall. There is one particular variety of panicle hydrangea called Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’….which many gardeners abbreviate to PeeGee hydrangea in referring to all of the panicle hydrangeas....
Viburnum – Pollination
Although hollies are better-known for their berries, viburnum shrubs can also have striking fruit each fall. Two of the best fruiting viburnums are tea viburnum, Viburnum setigerum and Linden viburnum, Viburnum dilatatum. Just as with hollies, good pollination produces best...
Viburnum – Distinguishing Snowball-type
As if gardeners didn’t have enough confusion sorting out plants which are not roses, but have rose in their name (rose of Sharon, rose moss, Confederate rose, etc), we also must distinguish between “snowball” viburnums. Chinese snowball viburnum is Viburnum...
Shrubs – Protection in Winter
My thoughts on the various alternatives when attempting to protect shrubs from winter cold: BLACK PLASTIC Though it seems counterintuitive, black plastic is a better covering for plants than clear plastic. The object of covering a plant is to trap...
Shrubs – No Flowers
I visited the proud parents of a new baby last week and was allowed to hold the young beauty in my arms. Just fed, she gradually slipped into sleep as the adults talked and marveled at her perfect fingers. I...
Shrub Propagation – Soil Layering
Summer is a great time to propagate favorite shrubs by rooting stems underground. This is one of the simplest ways to multiply a shrub and it is fast and efficient. Start by looking for long shoots which can be bent...
Shrub – Transplanting
Back in 2001, we threw a big party to celebrate the end of remodeling our kitchen and sunroom. In honor of the occasion, I invited two people who knew my house “way back when”. Dottie Myers, the award winning landscape...
Shrub – Pruning
As spring approaches, the first yellow blooms on forsythia plants remind some gardeners that they have once again put off pruning until the last minute. Plants are pruned for different reasons. Shrub roses need pruning annually, to make the new...
Shrub – Propagate from Cuttings
Early July is an excellent time to collect cuttings from favorite shrubs and to root them. Azalea, camellia and holly are easy shrubs to propagate by rooting. There are several techniques for helping a cutting to form its own root...
Shrub – Planting
Shrubs growing in a plastic pot may be planted 12 months a year. To transplant shrubs, evaluate the site to determine its suitability. A soil test for specific plants now can save you problems later. Avoid places where water tends...
Shrub – Moving
Two of my son’s best buddies moved to South Carolina last summer. They were a familiar part of our family life for several years so it was with trepidation that we bid them farewell. How badly would my son miss...
Shrub – Fertilizing
It is easy to forget that shrubs, perennials and annuals need to be fed regularly during their growing season. If they were fertilized only when you planted them, the plants are starving six weeks later. Their response to low nutrients...
Rose – Carefree Varieties
My favorite breakfast cereal has been “improved” once again. Now I’m implored to “Try It Hot!”. Never mind that my mother tried it hot fifty years ago and found that it tasted about as good cold as it did warm....
