| On the Greener Side |
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by Barbara Sue Schubert
Question: “I have a very large shaded area of my yard that I’d like to put Lily-of-the Valley, but it gets absolutely no sunlight. Is there a better plant to use? I’m looking for a perennial that is low maintenance primarily, but attractive.” Jack, Paducah, Kentucky Answer: Well, there are lots of shade loving plants, but Lily-of-the-Valley is probably the perfect perennial for you, given your needs. Lily-of-the-Valley thrives in a woodland type of environment, which is where they originated from in Europe. They love the shade of the trees, rich, moist soil and thrive best just being left alone. Another great attribute of the Lily-of-the-Valley is the fact that they spread out making excellent ground cover from spring to fall and effectively prevent weeds from becoming established. The fact that they have those wonderful little fragrant white flowers is just topping on the cake! Question: “My daughter gives me an Easter lily every year for the holiday and once it quits blooming I usually just throw it out. However, I recently read that you can plant them outside once the temperature warms up. If I do this will they actually bloom again later in the summer?” Casey, Vienna,Ohio Answer: Easter lilies can be planted outside after all danger of frost has passed. Lilies like well drained soil and a sunny location. Plant the bulbs about six inches deep, including about two inches of mulch they’ll need. They like their “feet in the shade and their head in the sun.” When the leaves and stems of the original plant start to turn brown and die off, cut them back just above a healthy leaf on the stem. With proper watering new growth will appear eventually. You probably won’t get the plant to bloom a second time the same year, but the following year you can expect it to flower in June or July, which is their natural blooming period. Your store bought Easter lily is forced to flower under controlled greenhouse conditions in March, so it’ll take a year to “recycle” itself. Be sure to cut the plant back in the fall though and mulch it well for safe keeping over the winter.
Question: “I am making plans to incorporate a “dry wall” into my landscape next spring, since I don’t really have a level area on my property that would support a flowerbed. I need the wall for other landscaping reasons, but want it to be attractive. What plants do you suggest for enhancing the appeal of just a plain rock wall?” Tony, Taneytown, Maryland Answer:
This is one of my favorite landscaping subjects since building this type of wall can dramatically enhance the appeal of a garden and the yard. The plants on the top of the wall should be compact with shallow roots to limit competition with other plants lower down the wall. Saxifrages, hen and chicks and rosaces are good starters. Alyssum, aster, creeping baby’s breath, phlox and sedum are good plants as well. Good shrubs for dry walls also include clematis, winter jasmine, santolina and spirea. Question:“I have a small stream that runs through our property. It’s not much more than a trickle at times, but it runs year around and I’d like to put some attractive plants along it. Do you have any suggestions for what would work best?” Cynthia, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Answer:
The moist soil that runs along a stream can be ideal for a lot of plants. In your shadier areas, plant lilies, some cattails and there are many different kinds of ferns that do well too. For your sunny areas and to really brighten things up, monkey flowers, water irises and marsh marigolds all produce big, beautiful flowers. Tap into your local extension office for some ideas as well.Question:"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 Answer: 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. Question:
“I have a lot of shade in my yard and was wondering what plants you could recommend.”
Casey, Springfield, Ohio
Answer: 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.
Question:
“I’ve heard ladybugs are good for your garden. Is that true?”
Sid, Greensboro, North Carolina
Answer: 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.
Question: “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 Answer:
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.
Question: “Can you plant different herbs in the same container or is that a no, no? I also want to be able to move it inside once the weather turns cold too." Bill, Deadwood, South Dakota Answer:
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. 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. 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. |
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