Outdoor Flowers and Foliage
Iris borer identification and control
Q: I don’t know what happened to my iris’s but the leaves have a stripe on them and then they finally just die and fall over. The whole iris plant is loose from the crown. Some of the crowns are...
Spanish Bluebells vs English Bluebells – Identification
Q: Should I plant Spanish or English bluebells in the woods behind my house this fall? Which will do better in my area? A: I think they both will do fine. I have had Spanish bluebells, Hyacinthoides hispanica, at my...
Naked Lady Lily Identification
Q: I am confused about plants called Naked Lady Lily. Some are listed as Amaryllis belladonna but other catalogs list them as Lycoris squamigera. Can you sort this out? A: They are both commonly called naked lady, but they are...
Rabbit damage and sunburn on sedum
Q: Something chopped off my sedum plant. It looks like a chemical burn on the remaining leaves and some have blown up like balloons. Could deer/critter saliva cause that? A: Because the stem cuts look pretty sharp, I think a...
Seedlings Around Lenten Roses
Q: I have dozens of small seedlings around my Lenten roses. What do I do now? A: Transplant the seedlings into a semi-shaded “nurse” bed, just a few inches apart. Fertilize in late May with a controlled release fertilizer (Osmocote,...
Hunting “Piggies”
Q: As a kid, we would hunt what we called “piggies” in the woods. As I remember, the leaves were sort of heart-shaped and when we found them we would bend away the leaves so the little piggies could be...
Rose mosaic virus
Q: One of my roses looks sick. Can you identify and let me know the remedy? A: This is rose mosaic virus.. Like human viruses, there is no cure for plant diseases caused by a virus. The major source of...
Iris Rust Identification and Control
Q: My iris leaves have distinct yellow streaks. The blooms coming up are healthy. A: This is iris rust. Rust is a common problem on iris. Dew, rain, fog, high humidity and overhead watering all encourage the development of iris...
Rose – Black Spot Control
I have never found a rose that was one hundred percent resistant to black spot, the most common rose disease. The tell-tale yellow leaves adorn roses throughout Atlanta to one extent or another. The best way to avoid black...
Flower That Looks Like Moss On A Long Stem
Q: In floral arrangements I often see a cut flower that looks like a clump of moss on a long stem. Do you have any idea what it could be? A: Cool looking isn’t it!? I have no doubt you...
Small Seedlings Around Lenten Roses
Q: I have dozens of small seedlings around my Lenten roses. What do I do now? A: Transplant the seedlings into a semi-shaded “nurse” bed, just a few inches apart. Fertilize in late May with a controlled release fertilizer (Osmocote,...
Is Golden Jackpot Barberry Invasive Here?
Q: Is the Golden Jackpot barberry invasive here? A: It is hard to know. Japanese barberry is very invasive in some parts of the country, like New England, but does not seem to be as vigorous in the Southeast. Yellow-leafed...
Differences Between 34-10-10 And 3-4-3 Fertilizer
Q: What is the difference between Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron fertilizer (34-10-10) and Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron fertilizer (3-4-3)? A: As you know, fertilizer products are made by mixing different chemicals together. These chemicals supply the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that plants...
“Piggies” Plants From My Childhood?
Q: As a kid, we would hunt what we called “piggies” in the woods. As I remember, the leaves were sort of heart-shaped and when we found them we would bend away the leaves so the little piggies could be...
Landscaper Chopped Off A Third Of My Encore Azaleas
Q: The community landscape crew used a hedge trimmer to chop off about a third of my healthy, newly-planted Encore azaleas. I presume the spring blooming will not happen but I’m wondering if they will survive this butchering? A: If...
Which Plants In My Landscape Are Poisonous?
Q: I have young children and would like to know which plants in my landscape are poisonous. A: Many landscape plants and houseplants are “poisonous” to one degree or another. It is always important to remember that “The dose makes...
Getting Rid Of Black & Blue Salvia
Q: Several years ago, I planted ‘Black & Blue’ salvia. It has now spread across the entire back of my house and I want to get rid of it. Other than pull it up, a tough job due to the...
Should I Leave My Tropical Hibiscus Outside?
Q: Is there a alternative to leaving plants like tropical hibiscus outside instead of bringing inside? I recently moved and do not have the room I once had in the garage. A: Trying to get a tropical hibiscus to survive...
