Recent Q&As
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We are being invaded by this little grey bug. What can we do?
This is the brown marmorated stink bug. Mary Schmidt from Lichterman Nature Center says it is an invasive insect that has invaded the southern United States. It is a stink bug so if it gets in your home don’t squish it. You can vacuum them up and take them back outside. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says pesticides will not be effective. He recommends sealing or calking cracks in your home to keep them out.
Related Videos: Stink Bugs How do you get rid of stink bugs in your house? Related Resource: Stink Bugs Stink Bug Brown Marmorated Stink Bug |
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Can I grow a butterfly garden on a high-rise balcony?
Yes, you can. Mary Schmidt from Lichterman Nature Center says butterflies can fly very high, much higher than your balcony. She recommends planting nectar sources, but also plants that support the caterpillars. She gives some suggestions.
Related Videos: Planting a Butterfly Garden Other Pollinators in the Butterfly Garden Related Resource: Butterfly Gardening Butterfly Gardening |
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Why are my strawflower plants dying?
These plants look like they are suffering from root rot. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says because strawflowers are drought tolerant, they can be easily overwatered, and if overwatered they can get root rot and die. Root rot often causes plants leaves to die from the top to the bottom.
Related Videos: Water-Wise Gardening Overwatered Petunias Related Resource: Strawflower Xerochrysum bracteatum |
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How do I care for my winter pansies?
Pansies, if planted correctly, should be able to take care of themselves. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh says make sure there is no standing water around the plants. You can also fertilize, preferably with a slow-release fertilizer.
Related Videos: Planting Pansies for Fall and Winter Pansy Fertilizer Experiment Related Resource: Growing Pansies Extend the Season with Resilient Pansies |
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Can I have grass in a shaded yard?
Yes, you can, but you need to make sure you plant grass that is shade tolerant. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh says fescue is a good choice in this situation. Before you put in the grass you need to make sure there are no areas of standing water. If there are you need to improve drainage in those areas.
Related Videos: Warm Season Turf Varieties Can you grow fescue grass in deep shade? Related Resource: Native Warm-Season Grasses Bermudagrass Turfgrass Selection- Zoysia |
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How much should I water my 2-year-old sweet bay magnolia?
It is still a young tree so you might want to water it when the weather is dry. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh says in droughts try to water with 1 inch of water per week. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says another name for sweet bay magnolia is swamp magnolia.
Related Videos: Planting Shrubs in Wet Heavy Soils Watering Wands and Hose Sprinklers: Tips and Tricks Sweet Bay Magnolia Related Resource: Magnolia virginiana Magnolia Virginiana: Sweetbay Magnolia |
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What is this flower? A: Asiatic Dayflower
This is an Asiatic dayflower. Retired MSU Extension Horticulture Specialist Lelia Kelly says it is called a dayflower because it only lasts one day. It can be invasive in the garden, but the vines are easy to pull. It is one of the few flowers that has a true-blue color.
Related Videos: What are these flowers? Landscape Flowers for the Heat Related Resource: Asiatic Dayflower Pretty But Hard to Control |
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Can we split the root ball of our crape myrtle?
Yes, you can. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says if you live where the plant dies to the ground every year (zone 6), split it in the spring so the roots have time to reestablish before cold weather. If you live farther south (zone 7+), split it in the fall. Splitting the roots may take some work, but the plant will do just fine.
Related Videos: Crape Myrtles Pruning (Not Murdering) Crape Myrtles Related Resources: Crape Myrtle Culture Crapemyrtle - Flower of the South |
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My Japanese maple has developed a thin canopy. Is there any hope for the tree?
From a picture you can’t tell exactly what is wrong with the tree. Retired MSU Extension Horticulture Specialist Lelia Kelly says if Japanese Maples are in full sun they may do well for a while, but eventually it will start to die back. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says it could also be overwatered. Try to improve the conditions next year and see if the tree improves. If not, it may be time to remove it and plant something else.
Related Videos: Japanese Maple Basics Does my Japanese maple have verticillium? Related Resources: Acer palmatum: Japanese Maple Japanese Maple |
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How do I get rid of and control hollyhocks?
Hollyhocks can be prolific re-seeders and if the conditions are right, and most of the seeds germinate, they can take over. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says applying a preemergent herbicide will control germination. Any that do come up can be hand pulled. If you want to keep some hollyhocks, make sure you cut the flowers off as they start to go to seed.
Related Videos: Applying Pre-Emergent In a Flower Bed Pre-Emergent Herbicides Related Resources: Weed Control Options in Landscape Beds and Groundcovers Growing Hollyhocks |
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How do I get rid of milkweed? It is taking over my flower garden.
Milkweed has an aggressive root system. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says the plants have a large store of energy in the rhizomes. You could pull or cut any shoot that tries to grow to deplete the reserves. This may take several years. You could also use a herbicide. Retired MSU Extension Horticulture Specialist Lelia Kelly wonders what kind it is because some varieties are more aggressive than others.
Related Videos: Aphids on Milkweed How To Wipe On Herbicide Herbicide Basics Related Resources: How to Control Milkweed Managing Western Whorled Milkweed |
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Do I need to keep pre-emergents out of a fruit tree root zone?
There are some pre-emergents you can use around fruit trees. You will need to read the label on the pre-emergent and see if it says to not use it around fruit trees. Fruit tree roots extend out about one and a half times farther than the drip line of the tree.
Related Videos: Pre-Emergent Herbicides Fruit Tree Rootstock Basics Related Resources: Common Herbicides for Fruit and Vegetable Weed Control Weed Management in Fruit Trees Starts with Fall Herbicide Application |
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Why don’t we hear frog songs anymore?
Frogs and all amphibians are very sensitive to many things. Mary Schmidt from Lichterman Nature Center says there are fewer frogs now for several reasons including habitat destruction and pesticide use.
Related Videos: Frogs and Toads Fish for Water Features Related Resources: How to Build a Simple Pond for Native Frogs Creating Frog Friendly Habitats |
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Why is my cosmos not blooming?
Cosmos are native to Mexico and they like dry conditions in full sun. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says he thinks these plants have been overwatered. This may be due to the location of the planting or too much water. He recommends planting cosmos in a different location next year.
Related Videos: Overwatered Petunias Planting Shrubs in Wet Heavy Soils Wet Feet Related Resources: Cosmos Cosmos in the Garden |
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What is this plant? A: Giant Reed.
This plant is giant reed. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says it likes wet conditions and can be very invasive.
Related Videos: Invasive Plants Rain Gardens Ornamental Grasses Related Resources: Giant Reed Giant Reed |
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What are these growths on my cherry branches?
This is black knot. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh says you can prune it out but sterilize your pruning shears after every cut. Also pick up any fallen branches and dispose of them. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says black knot is caused by a fungus. In the fall you will see swelling of the branches, and the next year you will get the black galls. Chris also offers some fungicide options.
Related Videos: Mixing and Applying Fungicide Cherry Gummosis Related Resources: Black Knot Black Knot of Plums and Cherries |
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Our maple trees don’t turn red in the fall. Should we check our soil pH?
Maple trees have a relatively short lifespan. Mary Schmidt from Lichterman Nature Center says as maple trees age they do not give as showy of fall colors. It could also be that there are other problems. Check your tree and see if you have anything out of the ordinary.
Related Videos: Why does my red maple not turn red in the fall? Best Trees for Fall Color Related Resources: Maple Maples in the Landscape |