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| Featured Q & A's |
Question: Some
of my rhododendron's leaves are looking yellow and the plant
hasn't really grown very much in the past 2-3 yrs. Can you help?
Answer: Rhododendrons
have all of the normal plant needs plus a few specifics for them
and their aericaceous counterparts. They must have loose organic,
well drained soil, constant and uniform moisture and an acidic
soil. The pH preferred is 5.5 to 6.8 and a bonified soil test will
be the only way to determine this.
Now,
on the practical side, leaves of all broadleaf evergreens shed
and this is coming into the time of year for it, so the color
may be normal on some portions of the leaves. However, I'd
guess that you need to apply an acid type fertilizer, possibly
some Holly-Tone or similar and some powdered sulfur to give
these plant a pick-me-up. Check with your garden center staff,
read the packages thoroughly and then use slightly less of
each additive then is recommended. Then add half rate now and
the other half in mid-May. Then in early-mid June, mulch the
plants starting 3" out form the stem to 12" beyond
the foliage spread. Pine bark, medium size, makes an excellent
mulch for this type of plants. You live in the southern part
of good rhododendron growing area, so there should be plenty
of extra good advice in your general area.
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Question: What
evergreen trees grow best in the woods?
Answer: To
be as honest as possible - NONE. Evergreens do not compete
well with a deciduous forest -- period. It took me over 30
years to learn that the hard way. However, after fighting the
good fight, there is some advice to pass along. Hemlocks and
Japanese yew cultivars are the most capable. White fir and
Douglas fir, where the soil is cool and constantly moist, can
hold their own. Several of the broadleaf types of viburnum
can also do quite well. White pine will run very thin, but
can hold on where there is some good/decent light. All will
need careful watering during the period of July 1 through November.
Do Not let the root systems dry out. Gently elevated beds can
help reduce root competition. Please call a designer/horticulturist
to visit your site and advise before you waste time and money.
You can win, but you must get off to the right start and then
be a good and dutiful gardener thereafter. Good luck! It can
be done.
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Question: My
yard is a disaster! I don't have the time or patience to take care
of it. I need someone to do the yardwork and maintenance for me.
I have no specific needs for the yard other than I would like it
to look "nice" without having to do any of the work
myself. Do you offer this type of service. Let me know. I would
like an estimate if you do.
Answer: BuckeyeGardening.com
does not offer this type of service, However, through this
web site, the ONLA has made it possible for you to access
any normal landscape service you may need. Follow the menu on
the homepage to "Find
an Expert," then scroll down and to the lower right side
of the page and enter your zip code in the proper space and this
will bring up a member list in your near area. The phone numbers,
addresses and even access to their web sites will come up and
you will be able to find the services you need.
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Looking
for additional questions and answers?
Search
our archive of over 600 questions submitted to and answered by
our horticulture expert, Fred Hower. Click on the "q & a archive"
link to the left!
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