Posts Tagged ‘Spring’
Curcuma
Q: I love the flowers of a plant labeled “curcuma” I bought at a home improvement store. What should I do with it this fall and winter? A: You have a Siam tulip: Curcuma alismatifolia. It is not hardy outdoors...
Iris – Winter Care
Q: I planted bearded iris roots in early November and now they have shoots about six inches tall. Will these survive the winter? Should I trim or replant? A: This is a common question each winter. Fall-planted bulbs (daffodil, tulip,...
Tree – Hurt by Insecticide
Q: I need advice on nursing some sick trees back to health. I believe I severely hurt three very young trees when I treated them for Japanese beetles. I used a very strong concentration of Sevin on two cherry trees...
Dogwood- Drought Effects
Q: With the terrible drought, I have several dogwood trees on which the leaves have all turned brown and have begun to fall off. I know they won’t put back on leaves this year, but are they going to be...
Clematis – Pruning
Q: When and how is best way to prune my two clematis? Both are older vines, one purple and the other white. A: I called upon the experience of my colleague Erica Glasener for the answer to your question. She...
Lantana – Winter Pruning
Q: I have lantanas that need to be pruned back. I heard you say do this in December, then I heard a radio caller say wait until April. If I prune them now and cover them with pine straw will...
Oakleaf Hydrangea – Pink Flowers
Q: I have noticed pink oakleaf hydrangeas around town. Is this a new variety? A: You are simply seeing the fading hydrangea flowers, which gradually change from white to pink to brown. When we have lots of rain, the high...
Spring Bulbs – When to Plant
Q: I once heard you say that even though spring bulbs were on store shelves you weren’t too excited about gardeners buying and planting them. Is it to late or to early for spring bulb planting? A: Although summer-flowering bulbs...
Sequoia – Growing
Q: A few years ago, after visiting Sequoia National Park, I talked my parents into planting some giant sequoia seeds. They germinated but they don’t seem to be growing very fast. Most of them are only three inches tall and...
Rhubarb – Growing
Q: Recently moved here from Canada, I really miss growing and harvesting rhubarb for pies and jams. Can it be grown here? A: Transplants to Atlanta from northern climes long for two things: lilacs and rhubarb pie. Both are difficult...
Poppy – Planting
Q: When can I plant poppy seeds? A: Poppy seed are most commonly planted in late October. Several kinds of poppy are grown in the South: Shirley poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Iceland poppy (P. nudicaule), Oriental poppy (P. orientale) and the...
Cherry – Sweet
Q: I recently purchased a ‘Tartarian’ cherry tree at a home improvement store. I can’t find much information on growing it. Any info on this subject would be appreciated. A: Sweet cherry trees (‘Bing’, ‘Tartarian’, ‘Ranier’, etc) do not survive...
Bahia (Bahiagrass) – Control
Q: I have bahiagrass, which I hate, in my yard. Do you have any long term solutions/suggestions for getting rid of it? A: Bahiagrass is sometimes used as a turfgrass or forage but it is usually viewed as a weed...
Sweet Potato – Planting Ornamental Type
Q: I have planted some ‘Blackie’ and ‘Margarita’ ornamental sweet potato this year. I want to collect the potatoes to plant more of them next year. Do you have any suggestions on how to store them and prepare them for...
Ornamental Sweet Potato – Edible or Not
Q: Are the tubers from the ornamental sweet potato vine edible? A: Sure – and you’ll get 200 percent of your daily roughage requirements in the bargain! Ornamental sweet potatoes are the same species as the edible kind but they...
Grape – Pruning Concord
Q: I have two ‘Concord’ grape vines growing along the lattice around our patio. When do I cut them back and how much do I remove? The vines are two years old and I had plenty of grapes this year....
Hummingbird Vine
Q: My wife and I were given a plant called hummingbird bush but we’re not sure how to take care of it. It has vining growth and the leaves grow along the entire stem and are very fine, almost hair-like....
Zoysiagrass – Overseed with Ryegrass
Q: I have always wanted a green lawn in winter. How much will it hurt my zoysiagrass lawn to overseed with ryegrass this winter? A: Turf researcher Dr. Clint Waltz says there is no real reason or advantage to overseed...
