Evergreen trimming

QuestionI have a 7ft. evergreen by 4ft diameter. Can I trim it down to bare branches and much smaller without killing it. My goal is to end up 3 ft tall and more rounded AnswerHi Richard, Thanx for your question. &

Brown creeping phlox

QuestionI have a very nice large creeping phlox and we have just come out of our winter season (zone 5) and my creeping phlox is all brown, I have another creeping phlox approx. 5 feet away and it is still green,

Honeysuckle

QuestionI purchased a Honeysuckle last season, repotted and placed them on my deck. Though its still fairly early in the year, I wondered when I can expect to see foliage and blooms again. I did not brin

can you id this plant?

Question unkn plant This grows in Portland zone 8 OR on north side of house next to small pond with liner; full shade. Seems to tolerate dry conditions if not watered. Leaves drop in fall; multiple white flowers app

Wisteria buds!!!

QuestionHi, I have bought and planted a wisteria in my garden last spring. The plant was flowering abundantly at the time of the purchase. The leaves fell out in the winter, and I pruned very little as its a new pla

powerdery mildew

QuestionI am new to the KC area, to the midwest. What I believe is powerdery mildew has taken over my garden. It has killed shrubs and perennials. How can I best get rid of it? AnswerHi James, Tha

What should I do about Calla Lilies?

QuestionQUESTION: Hi Tom, I live in San Jose, California and I have a Calla Lilies which bought from supermarket in Feb. 2009. When I bought this Calla Lilies, it was flowering with different kind of colors(3 color

Early Rising Irises

QuestionIm new at gardening so please bear with me... I planted several iris bulbs in the early weeks of Fall 2008. They immediately shot up but no buds appeared... they are now still at the same height as they we

Snowball Plants lack of flowers

QuestionHello! 3 years ago we received and planted a 6 bare root snowball bush. It was planted in a spot that gets full am and 1/2 the afternoon sun (zone 5 Massachusetts). It is mulched and the area is watered at

overwintered potted perennials when to put in ground

QuestionI have several potted perennials that were overwintered under a deciduous tree & mulched with hay.I live in zone 5. I would like to plant them in the ground, however Im not sure when I am to do that. Do I pl

Growing Bulbs- Oriental Stargazer Lily, Stella DOro Daylily, Crimson Pirate Daylily, Gladiolus Nori

QuestionHello, I am a first time gardener, so PLEASE HELP! I planted 14 bulbs of the Gladiolus Nori, 6 of the Oriental Stargazer Lily, 2 root balls of each of the Daylilies on March 8, 2009. To this day

Red Hot Hibiscus

QuestionI live in Palm Beach County, FL. I am considering planting a hedge (50 ft.)around the perimeter of my pool fence (25 feet away from the pool). Would Red Hot Hibiscus work? I would want the hedge to grow to a

soil that is high in phosphorus

QuestionQUESTION: We have had our soil tested and it is extremely high in phosphorus. We would like to grow some perennials and vegetables. What can we grow that can live in this type of soil. Our

Re .Hydrangea ( sweet dreams)

QuestionHi Tom. How do I care for my Hydrangea. I live on Vancouver Island. Canada. Thanks Yvonne AnswerHi Yvonne, Thanx for your question. If your hydrangea is Sweet Dreams it is a lacecap and what many cons

Pruning or Pinching my mums

QuestionI have asked this question many time to other people and no one seems to really know the answer. When is the best time for pruning are pinching my mums??????????? Please e-mail me with the answer Ans

Planting daffodil and tulip bulbs

QuestionI have tulip and daffodil bulbs that I didnt get planted in the fall. I am curious if I can plant them now in mid-April or if they will be okay until next fall. AnswerHi Tara, Thanx for your question

Planting perennials in April in N. Virginia

QuestionHi Tom! I have had lovely perennials shipped to us for our lakeside house thats for sale. I need to get them in the ground ASAP as theyre getting root bound in my raised garden that I tarped during las

Peonies - Have construction so must move in spring

QuestionQUESTION: Due to construction where established peony now resides, I must move it. I can wait until after it blooms but then it must go and cannot wait until ideal moving time. Are there any spec

starting off

QuestionI know that with some plants you can take a part of the mature plant and start a new one. Is this possible with lavender? I have no idea where I would have to cut it. AnswerHi Karen, Thanx for your question

Burning Bush damage

QuestionI was in Florida for the winter and upon my return I find that the bark at the bottom of my burning bush is gone, eaten away along with the tender tips of the low branches. Can I save the bush (by pain