Question

I fancy planting a Magnolia. Which variety is best and what tips do you have?

Answer
There are many varieties of Magnolia, but there are three major popular varieties seen in most gardens. 'Soulangeana' and 'Stellata' with white flowers and 'Nigra' with white flowers with a purple stripe. Also to a lesser extent 'Rubra', with reddish flowers in late summer. Although decked with marvellous flowers 'Soulangeana' is a plant for only the large garden easily reaching the height of your house.

Stellata with it masses of star like flowers is the best for the small garden staying a compact bush, Nigra has similar dimensions. Magnolias like good rich soil until established, then they will look after themselves. Incidentally I have seen Japanese houses filled with Bonsai versions of the Stellata absolutely covered in tiny white flowers.
Valecroft Nurseries

Question
I have a blueberry plant that was given to me, but it does not have the type of sun required. I am also wondering if this is a plant I need to cage from deer and rabbits eating the plant. Also do I need more than one plant to produce berries?

I also have four holly bushes that are not looking too great. I have had them for about 6-7 years and it seems in the past year they seem to be getting more twigging and less leaves. The tips of the leaves seem to be brown and seem to curl. I have been trying an acid fertiliser food, but it does not seem to be helping, any suggestions? We live in Lower Michigan.
Thanks, Tracy

Answer
In the wild blueberries are trimmed by sheep goats deer rabbits, etc. and benefit from it, but one plant alone would not stand much chance. One plant alone should produce berries but a group will produce better.

Your holly bushes would benefit from a large amount of peat spread around the base of the trees. This will encourage the fine surface roots to develop which the holly needs to collect food and moisture. Also a mineral feed would be of benefit.

Question
MY mother has burned leaves for 15 years in a spot where she wants me to plant a vegetable garden. Would that be a bad idea?
Thanks Lonnie

Answer
You will need to spread a large amount of garden lime on the area to neutralise the soil, use a high nitrogen fertiliser. If possible, large amounts of farmyard manure, horse manure, or other such, should be incorporated into the soil. Otherwise it should be possible to grow veg on the area, but don't expect too much for the first couple of years.

Question
Many thanks for your pevious answer... One further question, is it too early to be applying a mulch to flower beds, bearing in mind that the soil has not yet warmed up?
Thanks in anticipation, David

Answer
Putting mulch on your flowerbeds will restrict early weed growth, but watch out for snails that will love this perfect early season protection from foraging birds.

Question
Hi I'm writing for HELP with an extremely wet lawn. The back half of my back yard is very wet and muddy all though there is grass and lots of moss. I'm not able to let my children or dog play back there till almost late summer. I live in Connecticut so our summers aren't all that long. Last summer it stayed wet all year.

I was thinking of getting some soil delivered and raising the ground a bit but friends I talk to don't think that will help. Do you have any suggestions to what I can do? A neighbor told me a small creek use to run through the back yard. I just want to get it dried up so we can enjoy our Lawn.... PLEASE HELP...
Thanks Melanie

Answer
You need to install drainage pipes under your lawn to take the excess water away, then into your local clear water drainage system. Adding soil will only make more mud. Best to consult a local land drainage expert, or your local landscape man.

Question
Dear Sir/madam,
Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra'; I have 2 trees named as per the subject title and am concerned at the proximity to house. They are about 7 foot away and am not sure as to whether the root system is likely in time to be pose a problem. I would be interested in your opinion and if you consider it wise to move them then when would be the best time to do so. Yours sincerely,

Answer
Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' ... can grow to a height of 25 ft or more so you are looking at a possible root spread of 15 ft from the centre of the trunk. Nigra are often used for hedging and if trimmed regularly the root spread is not to great, but if your specimens are trees it is best to move them. The best time to transplant is Oct. - Nov., they like full sun.

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Question
My son bought me a rosemary bush in a container last year. It is outside on the patio and at the beginning of the winter I put it in a corner to protect it but it has started to go brown and is dying. What do I need to do to get it to recover? Brenda

Answer
Rosemary does not like really cold weather. Your plant could have had the roots frozen through the sides of the pot, or the foliage could have been damaged by severe wind chill, either not good for the plant. Only time will tell if the plant will recover, meanwhile feed with a high potash fertiliser.

Gardeners who grow rosemary in pots usually take the plant indoors in severe conditions, or plunge the pot into the ground in a sheltered corner of the garden. The golden rule for rosemary growing is to take cuttings in late summer in order to have a replacement plant for next year. Because, the sad fact is, rosemary is very unreliable often dying for no good reason over winter.

Question
I am looking for a bush named Jacob's ladder. I live in Wisconsin and would like to know if it would survive the winters. If this plant will not work for me is there something else you can recommend? You see, I would like to plant Jacob's ladder in honour of my new grandson, Jacob Allan.
Thank you. Jean

Answer
Polemonium - Jacob's ladder, Listed by seed companies to grow in zones 5 to 9. They like some shade for part of the day. If your area is particularly cold you can cover the plant with a mulch for the winter. They die down after flowering so are easily covered. They are well worth trying.

Question
Hi
I have a gardenia bush in my yard I planted 2 years ago; it is now brown and dried out could you tell me if it is dead? Thanks Debbie

Answer
Your gardenia should have lovely glossy leaves right now, so very likely dead. If you wish to try again with a new plant. You need some shading in the summer during the hottest periods an acid soil with plenty of peat, feed with an acid, high nitrogen fertiliser. You also need an iron additive about twice a year.

Keep the soil moist, but never soggy. If growing indoors you need some form of humidity, or a daily misting with slightly warm water. Plants in pots need heavy feeding.

Question
My co-worker and I live in St. Bernard La close to New Orleans and both have had 2 Mandevilla die on us. I've seen some flourish... what should we be doing for care? TARA

Answer
Mandevilla are not frost hardy, do you have frost in your area? This could be insect infestation, mealy bugs, spider mite, spray with insecticidal soap. They need partial shade. They need rich, well-drained, sandy soil with cow manure or such added. Feed with a high phosphorus fertiliser, 10-20-10.

Question
I have two quite large spirea bushes on which the buds form too early. This is the fourth year in a row that a March freeze has killed the buds. In past years there have only been a few blooms because of the freezing. Is there any way to force these bushes to form buds later. They are too large to cover. I need help. Thank you.

Answer
I can only suggest feeding with high potash, high phosphate, low nitrogen, 5-20-20, fertiliser in the fall. This will build up the plant; the low nitrogen content should deter the early growth.

Question
We are planning to have a pool built, and they will have to dig up existing shrubs that have been planted 18 months ago. I would like to save the plants, but they will not be able to be replanted for a while, probably 4-6 weeks. What is the best way to salvage these?

They include dwarf oleanders, holly, Indian hawthorn, variegated privet, red-tip photinia and one crepe myrtle.
Thank you in advance for your advice. Marilyn

Answer
It is a little late in the season (mid March) to move shrubs. However if you have to move them, move them now, today, and immediately plant into a holding trench, do not let the roots dry out. Keep well watered. In four to six weeks time it will be far too late to replant the shrubs into their permanent position, so you will have to wait until October.

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Question
There is some kind of white grubs or eggs attached to my hedges. They are slowly killing them. I just had to remove a whole section. I'm not sure what kind of hedges I have.
I live in Dallas, Texas. Please help.

Answer
Try spraying with an insecticidal soap under fairly high pressure, this should wash them off. Failing this. Spray with a systemic insecticide for grubs, caterpillars, etc., systemic insecticides are absorbed by the plant and kill the grubs as they feed off the leaves.

Question
I live in Ohio. I have a large pampas grass plant. I would like to split it and give half to my brother so he can start a plant. It is easier to split it now when the ground is soft and wet and the plant has not started growing again. My question is: is it still too early in the season to transplant and start a new plant? Thanks,

Answer
Now is perfect to split and transplant your pampas grass. Do not allow the roots to dry out before replanting.

Question
We are country dwellers in Louisiana and have six 30 ft. by 5 ft. beds in the back yard that we inherited from the previous owners. I love gardening but feel much overwhelmed by the weeds that grow; it's almost endless work in our busy schedules.

Three of the beds are filled with bulbs, which help with those, but the others look very neglected. Should I take the beds out or is there an answer to such constant weeding?

Answer
You can spray the unwanted areas with a total clearance weed-killer often marketed as such at local garden outlets. The best type of weed-killer for the purpose is Paraquat, but in many areas this is only available though licensed garden contractors.

You can also spray with Roundup which is absorbed by the plants and kills by distorting the plant cells, but be careful not too spray any chosen plants. The best idea is to level the unwanted beds and cover with concrete slabs. Then place a few tubs filled with seasonal flowers around the area to add effect.

Question
Hello I was wondering if you could help me restore my Camellia bush to health and beauty. It has a yellow substance speckled over its branches and the leaves are thin and brownish. The blooms are weak and it is not the beautiful bush it should be or has been in the past. I hope you can help.
Sincerely Devon

Answer
Your soil is too alkaline camellia need acid soil. Correct this with a copious amount of garden peat around the plant. Feed with a high nitrogen acid fertiliser. Also feed with an iron supplement and a small amount of Epsom salts to correct trace element deficiency. A barrow-full of cow manure spread around the plant would also help.

Question
Could you please tell me what will happen if you plant a red potato & a white potato in the same hole? I did this yesterday as I was running out of room, so if you would please let me know ASAP I could still dig them back up before they take root. Thanks

Answer
You will have red potatoes and white potatoes as normal from each parent plant. They can only cross-fertilise though the flowers. After flowering, the potato produces a small tomato like fruit, the seeds from which could produce a cross between the two varieties.

Question
Hello there,
In Fall I E-mailed you about the problem with magpies and my lawn and as it is now Spring, I would like to spray the lawn so that I can eradicate the bug. What spray would you recommend and where would it be available? Also, what is the core(s) chemical constituent(s) of the spray? Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you,

Answer
Cut worms, armyworms and white grubs, can be controlled by the insecticides, acephate, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, fluvalinate, isofenphos or trichlorfon. At your local garden outlet look for products containing one of these chemicals. Cut grass low before spraying in order to enable the spray to enter the sod. Spray late April, late in the day, overcast if possible.

If the problem persists spray again late June. Pick up dead grubs in the early morning, to protect your cats and dogs and avoid the smell of rotting bodies. Your county or local university extention service will be able to advise you on local conditions, pesticide laws, etc.

March    ------------    Spring Gardening Tips and Hints Care.

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