all shrubbery and lawn maintenence

QuestionI live in South Carolina--I would like to know when the appropriate time is to prune all shrubbery (there are quite a few varities)also when should additonal pine straw be put down and should the existing pi

Hydrangea pruning

QuestionWe were told to either prune hydrangeas after flowering or not at all, but considering ours flower all summer (zone 4) when is the best time to prune. I like to cut the blossoms to have for vases, etc.

Gardening/hydranga

QuestionHow far should I cut back a hydranga for the winter? All the way to the ground or just cut it back a little? Thank you AnswerHi Frank, I usually dont cut my hydrangas back until late winter. Th

my new hibiscis bushes

QuestionI seem to see a lot of the buds dropped off the young hibiscis bushes. I wonder if this is from snails or another type of bug. there is a clean cut right under the buds head. What can I do to prevent t

holly shrub

QuestionMy Grandma has a two holly shrubs (one male and one female) and wants to know how to start another shrub using the shrubs she already has. Basically she wants to know if a clipping would work. M

bougainvillea

Question------------------------- Followup To Question - thank you for your answer. i have been pruning azalas in the wrong month. however my hibiscus and bougainvillea are all in the full sun and ar

replanting shrub

QuestionI just moved into a new house that has nice but overcrowded shrubbery. I have moved two shrubs to the backyard to give more room for a peris japonica which has been planted too close to the house. &nbs

Bay trees

QuestionI have two large bay trees in pots whose leaves are yellowing and falling. Can you tell me what action I should take to prevent this? AnswerShirley, These type of problems are difficult to diagnose o

cherry laurels

QuestionI was wondering if it is too late for me a trim back my cherry laurels that are bigger than I want them to be and too close to my front windows. We have had a light frost one night recently I dont know if th

Wisteria vine

QuestionHi, Larry I have wisteria growing in my front yard and it has taken over the front yard. Do you know how to kill it? AnswerHi sarah unfortunately with an invasive vine such as this any vegitation kill

Alberto Spruce

QuestionThank you for your reply on my last question, were you able to read the area where I can rate you? I took a good look at the tree today, I noticed when I pulled back a branch it is brown on the inside and th

Texas sage (shrub) pruning

QuestionDoug, in-laws have two overgrown, lanky Texas sage shrubs in their new yard (Zone 7 TX). Prune how? How much? When? Please... Thanks! AnswerSorry for the delay. My earlier answer was apparently lost

barberry shrubs

QuestionWe have a hedge row of fully grown barberry. They are about 6 feet tall and would like to cut them to the ground so that thet may re new themselves. If this is ok what height should we cut at and when?

Privacy Shrub Fence

QuestionWhat shrubs will grow and fill in to provide 6 or 8 ft. of privacy in a few years, in mid NJ, under a line of very tall pine trees with very little sun? Soil is acidic, covered with needles, dry and has a lo

Hedge

QuestionHello Doug- I live in Indian Harbour Beach, FL (just soth of Cocoa Beach) about 3 blocks from the ocean. I am re-landscaping my yard and I am looking for a plant that would make a good hedge. I would lik

hydrenga bushes

QuestionHi Doug, my neighbor has a yard surrounded by hydrengas ( white) plants and she said i could take a ew clippings to startmy own, but I dont know how much of the branches of I need to cut off and when? I am i

Oleanders having brittle leaves

QuestionI have Oleanders and would like to know if it is normal for the leaves to become brittle during the winter? When is the proper time for pruing and shaping them? AnswerYou dont say what region or state you l

Camelias

QuestionI live in the Sacramento CA area.I would like to know how and when to transplant a camelia that is approximately 6 feet tall. Thank you Richard Gemignani AnswerHi Richard dig around the drip line

boxwood disease

QuestionHi, I live in Atlanta and just noticed that some leaves on my boxwoods are beginning to turn copper in color. They are very established but were pruned late last fall. Could this be winter damag

Care of azaleas and crepe myrtles

QuestionThank you for the advice. Further, both plants seem to get a fuzzy fungus on the trunks and stems periodically. What should be done for this situation short of cutting the affected branches off?