Q. What climbing vine would you suggest to grow on a trellis attached to a limestone house facing a south and a west wall?
Columbus, Indiana
A. There are a few controlled growth honeysuckles that would work, such as John Clayton, Blanch Sandman or Goldflame. Also, the climbing Hydrangeas such as Hydrangea petiolaris and Schizophragma hydrangenoides.
Denny [...]
Q. I have two very large rhododendrons that I planted in front of my windows 30 years ago, not realizing that they would grow so big that they would eventually swallow my house! They are a little cramped and I believe would be happier in the back yard. Do you think this is a good [...]
Q. I’m getting a late start to plowing my garden. We had heavy rains in the spring and I was unable to finish plowing as the garden is in a low area. I realize that it is to late for most crops, however I’m wanting to plant greens for the fall which I [...]
Q. I have Devils Ivy, Would it be invasive? In zone 9, Florida, with sandy soil. Also, is it possible to grow it in a pot its entire life, even when it gets huge?
Marion County, Florida
A. The Devil’s Ivy is also known as Pothos which is a desirable plant. It grows best in the shade [...]
Q. I have lilac bushes that haven’t bloomed in two years. What should I do?
Norwalk, Connecticut
A. Are your lilacs planted in full sun? They bloom very poorly in the shade.
Are your lilacs old with lots of suckers that have not been thinned? A plethora of suckers could be using up all the energy [...]
Q. I’m back living at the family home and my Dad had planted some tall grass in front of house, in front of the evergreen bushes next to area sump pump drains out. It gets really tall and is ugly. What can I do to get rid of and what can I put in its [...]
Q. I have an arch and side trellises in my garden. Last year I planted Autumn Joy (white) clematis on the side trellises. This year, for color, I planted pink honeysuckle to grow around the arch. Should I keep the clematis and honeysuckle separate? I’m afraid the clematis will overwhelm the honeysuckle. Am I right? [...]
Q. My banana pepper plants are dropping there flowers and then the buds turn yellow and fall off. Also the plants do not seem to be growing anymore. Last year same thing happened for a couple weeks, but the plants grew amazingly tall and lots of peppers, any clue why their dropping the buds?
Waukesha, Wisconsin
A. [...]
Q. We have tiny (pinhead sized) brownish/reddish bugs everywhere in our soil. The soil is from Miracle Grow. I don’t think these bugs are clover or spider mites but they are around the same size. We’ve noticed some “silvering” and premature dropping of our leaves, but no mite-like webbing or discoloration. What are these bugs, [...]
Q. Zucchini: Once the male blossom does its job of pollinizing, and fruit is set on female, can the male blossom be removed? Can too many males foil the maturing of the fruit of the female?
Cave Junction, Oregon
A. Leaving the male flowers on your zucchini will have no effect either way. Since they are a [...]
