“I have three African violets still in their original containers that won't stop blooming. The dilemma is that I want to move and divide them because each pot has 4-5 circles of leaves that make an entire plant in each circle. Do I need to wait until they are not blooming before I divide them? They have been blooming for months and show no signs of slowing down?”

Rebecca, Myerstown, Pennsylvania

Sounds like you have a very good problem: strong, healthy plants! If they weren’t so healthy, they wouldn’t be blooming, so now is the perfect time to divide them while they’re in optimum health. Before you divide the plant, let the soil dry out a bit, then tap the plant out of the pot and on to your working area. Knock as much soil off the roots as you can, then with a sharp knife or scissors, cut through the crown. Plant your divisions into a moist soil mixture keeping them that way for a few days.  Then let them dry out for a few weeks so they can recover from the shock. It’ll take them a bit to come out of it, but they are quite forgiving once they overcome the change.

"Why can't I get my avocado seeds to sprout? I put them in a jar of water like Mom used to do and I can’t seem to get them to sprout."

Richard, Los Angeles, California

Your mom’s method of trying to get an avocado seed to sprout is pretty standard: Poking toothpicks into the seed so it will perch half in and half out of a glass of water. However, the key to this is that the water needs to be changed at least every couple of weeks because the water gets dirty and depleted of the oxygen the seed must have to sprout. The best way to get an avocado seed to sprout is to actually plant it in soil, although it doesn’t give you the fun of watching it sprout. To speed the germination process up if you plant the seed in soil, remove the parchment like seed coat and slice a thin layer from both the top and the bottom of the seed before planting it. Regardless of how you choose to sprout your seed, in water or in soil, make sure to set the seed with its base (the wider portion) down.

“When is the best time to cut back a peony and a bleeding heart? Both of these plants are getting too large and I’d like to separate them and plant some elsewhere. I know that some plants, if they are cut at the wrong time, may not bloom the following year. Also, should I trim my yarrow plants to keep them a little more compact?”

Wendy and Jim, Carlstadt, New Jersey

The bleeding heart can be divided and planted any time after they have died back. They are typically planted in a shady area, so if you do it in the heat of the summer sun it shouldn't hurt them or waiting until fall is just as fine as well. Divide them at the end of the day or early evening when it isn’t so hot, or even save it for a cloudy day task. They should come back and bloom without missing a beat next spring.

Divide peonies in the fall so that they are not so hot and stressed. I divided and transplanted a Peony last fall and it did bloom this year, but it did not produce a lot of blooms, so they will take several years to become established plants. Make sure that when you transplant the "eyes" of the peony that you don't plant them too deep. Keep them moist but not wet, as they could rot if the weather is too hot and they receive too much water. Yarrow is fine to cut back after it blooms. Sometimes you may get a repeat blooming Yarrow in the fall if you don't cut it back too short. Just cut off the faded blooms. Then before winter sets in, cut them all the way back to about 3" above the soil.  

“I have a lot of shade in my yard and was wondering what plants you could recommend. I want to start planning already for next spring and get a jump on this. Obviously iris, roses, petunias, marigolds and cannas are out of the question – some of my favorites.”

Casey, Springfield, Ohio

I have just the opposite landscaping challenges at my house, and use your favorites all over the place! But don’t be upset because there are plenty of annuals and perennials that crave your shade. Lilly-of-the-Valley is a great perennial corner of the yard spreaders, thriving in the cool shade of your trees. Hostas and ferns make a great combination for varying heights and colors and return every year with very little maintenance. Columbine sprinkled throughout make for beautiful little eye catchers and reseed themselves every year. Begonias of all kinds will love being tucked in among as well for low lying colorful accents. Get to your local garden center and experiment with a few new annuals and perennials that catch your attention until you find some combinations that work for you. Every year I try out a couple of new ones and have discovered some beautiful results over the years.

“I’ve heard ladybugs are good for your garden. Is that true?”

Sid, Greensboro, North Carolina

Yep, they sure are. They eat aphids and many other plant pests, so gardeners do encourage them. They like scented geraniums, cosmos and coreopsis. Plants that have umbrella-shaped blossoms like fennel and dill will lure these little guys too. You’ll need to go easy on the insecticides or stop using them though, or you’ll lure and kill them off.

“I was at a garage sale this summer and bought a yellow rose in a one gallon container.  However, upon getting it home and under closer inspection, I discovered that the flower petals are actually slightly edged in pink! Do you know what kind of rose this might be?”

MariLee, Hodgenville, Kentucky

What a nice find at a garage sale! It sounds like it is the “Peace” rose, which has been around since about 1935. After World War II it was officially introduced in an effort to promote, of course, peace. It has huge wonderful blooms of luminous yellow, lightly edged in pink or red. The blossoms can be up to six inches across and have a rather delicate, light scent. It’ll bloom right up until the first frost as well. Your plant may either be a bush or a climber as they are available both ways. If it is a bush, expect it to grow five to six feet tall.

“Can you plant different herbs in the same container or is that a no, no? I don’t want to waste my time if it will produce nothing useable or tasteless. I also want to be able to move it inside once the weather turns cold too.”

Bill, Deadwood, South Dakota

Yes you can! And they do create some very interesting, edible results. If you’re concerned about edible results, don’t bother planting herbs you won’t use as there are plenty that will give you both the visual and culinary results you’re looking for. Chive, dill or coriander will give you height like a vica, along with sage or rosemary that will give you lusher height. Thyme and oregano are perfect for a cascading look, while basil and mint gives you the lush balance in between. There are many others out there to give you the effect you’re looking for and don’t be shy about experimenting with some new ones.

“I’m looking to buy the yellowiest rose I can find. Do you have suggestions or particular favorites?”

Kelly, Shipshewana, Indiana

There are two that come to mind immediately: “Sunsprite” and “Chinatown.” Both are known for their pure, bright color and are in the floribunda class of roses. For contrast, the “Sunsprite” has very deep green, glossy foliage which really sets the blooms off. Chinatown’s” foliage isn’t quite as deep, but their flowers are long-lived. Both roses sport blooms of up to five inches in size. However, the “Chinatown” rose, while lush and deep yellow, sometimes are edged with a thin band of red, but not always. Both plants are quite hardy and low maintenance.

Do You Have a Question about What’s going on in your garden or greenhouse?  Submit your question for Barbara Sue (include your city and state) by contacting us at: phone (563) 557-7571, fax (563) 557-7641 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or write us at Garden and Greenhouse, 6170 Forest Hills Drive, Dubuque, IA 52002.  Barbara Sue will do her best to publish your question with an answer in the next available issue.