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topicquestion
Weak stems on asters and ironweed from Woodbridge ON
June 06, 2012
My question is in regards to plants flopping over. My smooth asters and ironweeds never seem to have strong stems. Is because the soil is too fertile or maybe too shallow?
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Adding Wildflowers to Corpus Christi
May 20, 2012
I have a dry sandy yard, full sun in Corpus Christi with lot's of stickers mostly, want to transform to wildflowers. When should I plant, how should I prepare soil, should I dig out stickers? Which w...
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Soil for Emory Oak from Dripping Springs, TX
April 15, 2012
I bought an Emory Oak today at the Wildflower Center's plant sale. Upon reading about it when I got home, I see "it won't grow in alkaline soils." I was hoping to plant it in the riparian area ...
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Tree to plant on rocky soil in San Antonio
March 10, 2012
I want to plant a tree in a particular spot in the yard but after digging down 10 inches I hit solid rock. I filled the hole with water and it took hours for it to go down. It is one of the higher e...
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High water table in Glewood Springs CO
March 03, 2012
We are considering the purchase of a home in Glenwood Springs, CO (elev. Approximately 5,000 ft) and find it strange that while neighboring properties in the subdivision have beautiful landscaping wit...
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Difference between soil moisture and water use from Austin
February 20, 2012
In the native plant data base "growing conditions" can you explain the difference between water use and soil moisture?
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What is the application rate for dried molasses in Leander, TX??
February 10, 2012
I bought dry molasses to add to my soil but the bag doesn't say anything about how much to add. Should I just sprinkle it around and it doesn't matter if it is more or less? I have 2.25 acres so I...
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Habiturf installation after Take-All fungus
January 24, 2012
Are other soil remedies needed (besides those listed in your Habiturf brochure) to install Habiturf on land which had a St. Augustine lawn which was decimated by take all patch.
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Changing the pH of the soil
January 16, 2012
Hi, We have a job that has mostly Texas native plants on it. The architect is wanting to drop the pH levels of the soils to acidic levels that we don't feel is good for the plants and the area. ...
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Plants resistant to salt spray in FL
December 18, 2011
What type of plants can I put in a small planter bed next to a waterfall with a saltwater pool? Everything I put in there dies. I live in Southwest Florida.
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Non-native Podocarpus macrophyllus in Ft Worth TX
November 12, 2011
I know this question does not pertain to a native plant but I've spent too much time not finding an answer to my question. I have many mature Podocarpus macrophyllus bushes at my house I purchased in...
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Growing bluebonnets in pot in Flower Mound TX
November 01, 2011
We received a package of bluebonnet seeds along with the DVD Wildflowers: Seeds of History as a gift. In the film, Andrea DeLong mentions that bluebonnets did not grow well in a rich organic soil. W...
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Baby mountain laurels are ready to move, in Lockhart Texas
October 19, 2011
I want to harvest the baby mountain laurel plants which are growing under a large bush. What height would be best for the young plants survival? Please recommend a soil mixture for the pots.
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Seeding the banks of a large pond
October 18, 2011
I have a 2 acre surface pond that is mostly a hard clay bank all around. The water level is way down and I will begin filling it very soon. I need to somehow being affordable, plant something or thing...
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Fireplace ash as soil amendment in Maine
September 28, 2011
It seems that the custom where we summer in Maine is to dispose of wood ash from the fireplace on the plants around the outside of the house. I think this is not a good idea. What is your opinion? I w...
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Need help growing plants in red dirt in Mount Pleasant, NC.
September 17, 2011
I live in N.C. and I have had the hardest time getting plants to grow;I have red dirt at my house. Can you suggest a few colorful plants that would do real well in red dirt? Thank You So Very Much!!!!...
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Worms in non-native snake plant from Hillsborough NC
September 17, 2011
I purchased a snake plant this summer for my screened in porch. I did not repot it and left it in the plastic pot in came it. I was about to repot the plant to bring it in and noticed there are worm...
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Problems with Carolina Laurel Cherry from Pflugerville, TX
September 02, 2011
In 2007 we planted 7 Carolina Laurelcherry (Prunus caroliniana)across our back fence. Everything was fine until this year. Three of the trees seemed to get sick and a local arborist said the roots ne...
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Landscaping plant for Austin
September 01, 2011
Great site! Have gotten lots of ideas. We're about to start construction on a fairly major landscaping project: raised beds/privacy screen. We're at the top of a hill in the Hill Country just wes...
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Erosion at edge of driveway in Abilene TX
August 26, 2011
My lawn suffered a great loss of grass over the winter and the soil at the edge of the driveway is washing away with watering and the occasional rains that we have. I am trying to get the grass to gr...
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Growing Evergreen sumac in clay soil of Texas
August 19, 2011
I'm in need of a fast growing evergreen screening shrub/small tree. I'm considering the Evergreen Sumac but before I go further I need to know if this plant will thrive and remain evergreen in the D...
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What hydrangeas can be grown in Austin?
June 02, 2011
I was told that oak leaf hydrangea was the only hydrangea variety that could be successfully grown in Austin TX. My oakleaf hydrangea is doing great and I would like to plant other varieties. Can you...
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Plants for red clay in Hattiesburg, MS
May 16, 2011
Looking for plants and flowers to plant in red clay?
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Will wood shavings in the soil require nitrogen from Charleston MO
May 04, 2011
I cut down a big maple tree and a lot of the wood shavings was left in the soil. I planted a flower bed over the area this spring. I later read that the wood chips in the soil would use a lot of nitro...
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What will grow in red clay in Conroe TX?
April 10, 2011
We just built a new home and the foundation was poured on red clay which is what my flowerbed area is in. Could you please tell me what can be planted that will grow. I am looking for ground cover, fl...
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Ground cover for sun in Phenix City, AL
April 04, 2011
I live in Phenix City, AL and am new to planting. I have a 60 x 15 feet slope that is just dirt. I am going to till it next week and want to plant some various ground cover plants (that will grow to c...
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Native plants for clay soil in Lathrop MO
March 21, 2011
My family just moved to the north Kansas City, MO area and would like to know what native species, both perennial and tree, will do best in the clay soil. It has already proven problematic as we have ...
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Plants to grow in high zinc, lead and copper soil in Los Angeles
January 24, 2011
We live on the Westside of Los Angeles and have just been given the bad news that our beds are high in zinc (86.39), lead (45.98) and copper(12.95). Can you recommend some plants that may grow in thes...
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What to do with soil left over from new driveway in Austin
January 07, 2011
When we had a new driveway put in in Mid-December, the topsoil and weedy grass was scraped into a low pile. I watered it and covered it with black plastic to kill all the plant matter. How long should...
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Soil improvement near Kerrville, TX
December 11, 2010
We live in the Kerrville area; the soil is extremely shallow and deficient. The yard consists of mainly native plants, with a concentration of plants for butterflies and birds. What kind of soil and ...
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Plants native to Hudson River
December 03, 2010
What plants grow along/in the Hudson River?
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Erosion control on partially shaded slope
November 27, 2010
Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Atlanta, GA. My house is on a hill, and I am beginning to have erosion at my backyard porch (concrete slab, on the corners especially). The soil is mainly red clay, a...
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Do leaves with tannins make good compost from Austin
November 04, 2010
I have a couple of old native pecan trees in my (or neighbor's) yard that drop bushels and bushels of leaves every fall. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I have a recollection that pecan leaves have...
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What habitat would my Antennaria solitaria like in Red Bank, TN?
October 26, 2010
I want to know what habitat my mystery plant will like- sun, shade, dry or moist. I think it is an Antennaria solitaria or Little Pussytoes. I got it at a native plant sale here in Chattanooga. It has...
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Turf grasses and alternatives for NH
October 23, 2010
I live in Hancock, NH, just north of Peterborough. We just bought a relatively new house that pretty-much has no lawn and minimal landscaping. Can you (or anyone) suggest native lawn grass alternati...
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Malpighia glabra for Austin
October 14, 2010
Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, I am planting native Malpighia in a raised bed that was specially prepared for growing roses (soil and amendments). This bed has been left fallow for several years. Do I need t...
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Need Native Cover Crop in Seguin, TX
October 11, 2010
Is there a native winter cover crop that would control erosion until spring vegetation takes over?
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Growing Native Plants in Juniper litter from Wimberley, TX
October 04, 2010
Junipers create an environment under their canopy that prohibits growth of other plants. I have a virgin lot that has been cleared of many juniper but has remaining heavy natural leaf mold containing...
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Cold hardiness zones for plants from Jackson MS
October 02, 2010
How to search the plant database by cold-hardiness zone? Is it possible to do combination search by zone (not just state?) With the information provided with plant, I do not see the zone listed. Ma...
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Compare Natives to Lawn for Carbon Footprint Benefits in Durham, New Hampshire
September 22, 2010
Are there carbon sequestration rate tables for turf (lawn) and bushes, shrubs, trees? I want to compare the carbon footprint benefit of lawn versus the same area put into native plantings.
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Need Plants and Soil for a Green Roof in Buffalo, TX
September 13, 2010
I'm building a green roof on my cabin in the Buffalo, Texas, area. Would you know what soil and plants would be best suited for that area? I have a lot of sand I could use, but didn't know if that...
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Plants for sunny dry soil location
August 22, 2010
Do any native plants exist in a highly sunny very dry soil location? (high overhang prevents rain but allows sun)
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Hybridized Indigo Spires having problems in Wimberley, TX
August 19, 2010
I planted 7 Indigo Spires from one gallon containers in May and now each plant is about 18" tall. 4 of the 7 fell over about 2 weeks are. The plants still look healthy with no dropped or curled leav...
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Using cedar chips as mulch in Wimberley, TX
August 19, 2010
In TX Hlll Country there is an abundance of wood chips, usually "cedar", which I have used as plant mulch. Since wood chips extract nitrogen to decay, do you consider chips a poor choice as plant m...
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Failure to thrive of desert willow in Wimberley TX
August 10, 2010
I have a desert willow. It is always, whether I water it or leave it alone, yellow/ brown leaves, dark spots on the leaves, losing leaves. now it looks sad and not very healthy. Can you please tell m...
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Limp leaves on Texas purple sage in Magnolia TX
July 22, 2010
Recently planted Texas purple sage, some of it looks healthy and has new blooms, but a few of the plants have limp leaves and are thin at the bottom. I read the article on cotton root rot, but am not ...
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Blooms on Desert Willow withering quickly in Rockwall TX
July 15, 2010
Why do the blooms on my Desert Willow dry up and wither away in one or two days?
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Plants to replace hydrangeas in a wet area in New York
July 09, 2010
Dear Smarty, Two years ago I planted 4 Endless Summer Hydrangas in front of the front porch of my summer cottage on Saratoga Lake. The first year they struggled the second they are limp. Can you give...
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What is composted mulch from Springfield IL
July 01, 2010
I love the look of hard wood mulch. It is my understanding that this wood mulch that is so readily available in bulk and bags is not "composted mulch". I have been told that this type of mulch pull...
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Best mulch from Cedar Hill TX
June 10, 2010
What is the best mulch to use around trees,azaleas and plants in Cedar Hill, Tx?
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Plants that will grow on the Connecticut coast
June 08, 2010
I live on the coast in Connecticut and have a hard time growing plants here. I live about 1/2 mile from the beach and find that my soil is very rocky. The only plants that have done well in my yard ...
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Chlorine tolerant plants for planters near pool in Florida
June 01, 2010
I am looking for planting ideas for two planters next to our hot tub/pool. Plants need to withstand chlorine from pool, not attract bees, and take full sun. We are in South Florida. The planters ar...
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Problems with Texas Mountain Laurel in Dallas
May 04, 2010
I have a Texas Mountain Laurel that is about 3 years old. When I bought it 2 summers ago, it was about a foot high. Now it is over 6 feet. It seems to have grown so fast that the branches can't ke...
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Use of fresh clippings from tree trimmers for mulch in Austin
May 02, 2010
Hi, The tree trimmers are in my neighborhood (east central Austin) to clear the power lines and said I can have a load of free mulch. I am wondering if there is any harm in using the fresh mulch from...
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Best fertilizer for live oak trees in Central Texas
April 22, 2010
What is the best fertilizer for live oak trees in Central Texas?
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Evergreen pet-safe shrubs for house and screening in McKinney TX
April 15, 2010
Looking for shrub, preferably evergreen, to plant near the house that can handle wet ground and is pet (dog, cat, horse) safe. The area became boggy after we had an underground water leak that is now ...
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What soil to plant native plants in Huntsville TX
April 14, 2010
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I recently purchased several plants at the Spring Plant Sale and would like to know when planting them, what type of soil should I use. I typically use partial native soil an...
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Flowers for sunny and shady gardens in Cedar Hill TX
March 30, 2010
Last year I spent way too much on flowers for my sunny and shady flower beds. They all died from the heat, even after constant watering. What flowers could I plant in sunny and shady flower beds that ...
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Help with composting in Katy TX
March 19, 2010
I've gone on line and tried to figure out what I'm doing wrong with my compost pile. What exactly is the proper ratio, and the types of plant matter and layers to achieve the optimum decomposition i...
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Soil for native Chilopsis linearis and Salvia greggii
February 08, 2010
I want to plant a desert willow and a salvia greggii in my small lot. The developer used sandy loam to fill in the small garden in the front. I am 73 and a bit impaired. Do I really need to remove ...
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Replacing a Grass Lawn with Moss
January 02, 2010
I have a small north facing yard that I would like to change from grass to moss. There is some moss now but still lots of grass. I need to rake a lot of leaves in the fall but want to get away from a ...
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Area needing soil amendment in San Diego
December 02, 2009
I have a dirt area in the corner where my fence comes together. The dirt is clay-like and during the winter the area gets very little, if any, sun and during the summer it gets 4-6 hours of sun. Wha...
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Foundation Plants for South Carolina
November 07, 2009
What native plants are suitable as foundation plantings? My soil is heavy clayey loam with red clay subsoil. I live in Charleston County.
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Blackfoot daisy turning brown in Round Rock, TX
September 30, 2009
A few days ago, our blackfoot daisy was doing wonderfully. Then we got heavy rains and suddenly the plant is sere and brown. Did the too wet weather do this, and will it come back next year?
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Transplant shock in Chestnut Oak in Waukesha WI
September 13, 2009
Bought and had nursery install a 4" diameter, 16' tall chestnut oak. Watered it as instructed-every 2nd or third day-hose stream size of my pinky for 45-60 minutes. It was planted in July. Just l...
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How will my Texas Mountain Laurel survive clay soil?
June 09, 2009
Mr. Smarty Pants: I live in a new neighborhood (brownfield site) in Central Austin where the developers have put fill in the yards. After not much more than 2 inches of topsoil you encounter fairl...
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Fruit in the compost bin
June 07, 2009
I have a compost bin and I use the pulp from fruits and vegetables as one of the ingredients in my compost pile. We juice everyday so will all this pulp be too potent for new seedlings?
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Problem with Salvia Mystic Spires in Chesterfield VA
May 30, 2009
Last August, our local Lowes had these beautiful, unusual blue perennials on the discount rack called "Salvia Mystic Spires". For 50 cents each, they looked terrific, so I bought all they had, about...
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Is cement leaching into flower beds in Colorado Springs?
May 16, 2009
I have posed this question to a number of garden centers in our area around Colorado Springs--only to rec. a repeated--"Gee, I don't know." When we moved to our new home there was a rock concrete ...
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Should shredded Ashe juniper be composted for mulch?
May 06, 2009
Our neighbor shredded some Texas Hill Country cedar trees. Can we use it safely as mulch? Do we need to wait until it composts some?
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Fertilizer amounts for native perennials in Belton, TX
March 18, 2009
I am a novice gardener and need advice on how to fertilize my native perennials. I would like to use organic fertilizer and need advice on exactly what to use. I have a compost pile but it does not ...
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My newly planted Mountain Laurel isn\'t doing well.
March 13, 2009
My mountain laurel was planted from a container in Dec. It is in part sun, clay soil, and its leaves are turning yellow. should I move it or will that kill it?
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Coffee grounds as mulch into vegetable beds
February 05, 2009
Can you put too much coffee grounds as mulch into vegetable beds?
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How soon after stump grinding can something else be planted?
January 18, 2009
How soon after cutting down a Mulberry and grinding up the stump can we plant a new tree in its place?
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Further information on soil pH for growing blueberries
December 31, 2008
Thank you for your reponse to my question / comment. You were exactly right about soil pH. Here is what Clemson University Extension has to say about growing blueberries in North and South Carolina....
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Native flower bed with part sun
December 05, 2008
I have recently put in three small flower beds and replaced the hard clay with decent dirt. The site is shaded in the AM but mostly sun in the PM. I would like to plant natives - what can you recommen...
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Soil mixes for green roofs
November 23, 2008
We are trying to set up a green roof system on our own. What do you suggest for soil? It seems the soils are proprietary and unavailable to individuals.
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Transplanting Tecoma stans in Texas
October 26, 2008
I have a pair of Tecoma stans planted too near the house. They're in shade most of the day. The branches that can reach a little sun are blooming nicely. Would they survive being transplanted fart...
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Requirements to grow Lupinus albifrons
October 07, 2008
What is required to grow Lupinus albifrons? Temp., soil mix, alkaline or acid, etc.?
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Failure to thrive of Hamelia patens in Laredo
September 19, 2008
I have a question regarding Hamelias patens(firebush)that I have been trying to grow for 2 years. I live in Laredo, Texas and this area should be an excellent climate for this plant. I planted 12 of t...
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Landscaping help for Gilmer, TX
September 01, 2008
We have just moved to the beautiful hot state of Texas from warm California and we need some help! Our roses are dying, we have a patch about 25ft. by 3ft. that gets the rain run off like a little str...
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Yellow, pale green leaves on Cedar Elms in Texas
August 30, 2008
I have had several cedar elms of various sizes planted in our yard over the last 10 years. Only the largest has dark green, healthy looking leaves. All the others have yellowish, pale green leaves. Th...
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Damage to native elm in Texas
August 20, 2008
We had a major landscape renovation done over the winter. One of the trees, an elm about 10 yrs old, remained in the bed although plants around it were removed. The tree has suddenly started turning...
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Leaf fall from Cedar Elm planted in clay
August 17, 2008
I saw the answer to leaves falling off a cedar elm planted in clay. However I planted a Cedar Elm in my back yard. I dug a hole in the grass then planted and put grass back on top. I water every other...
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Is the Obedient Plant a bog plant?
August 16, 2008
I purchased 2 obedient plants at a farmer's market in Michigan. As I was unfamiliar with this plant, the merchant told me it did well in full sun. It was just what I needed. When I got home I look...
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Leaf drop from maple tree in Minnesota
August 15, 2008
I have about a 30 ft maple tree in my yard, last fall I trimmed it pretty good because the branches were getting low where you could not walk under it or get grass to grow. This is the 2nd time in abo...
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Stress in potted Tif blueberry plants
August 15, 2008
Recently purchased Tif Blue Blueberry plants (about 3 ft tall)are showing signs of stress. They are in 10 gallon pots. Should they be transplanted? Medium? Fertilizer? Location? Trimming?
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Failure of highbush blueberry plant to produce in New Hampshire
July 25, 2008
One of my highbush blueberry plants completely stopped producing. What can I do to revive it?
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Effects of patio under large tree
July 17, 2008
I would like to put in a patio under a fairly large tree. I understand a tree needs some open ground around it for air and water. Can I use flagstone leaving 6-10 inches of space between the stones?...
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Should I acidify my well water for native plants
July 15, 2008
Should I acidify my well water for irrigation of native plants? There is not enough rainwater collection.
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Darkened leaves on blueberry bush
July 02, 2008
I have a blueberry bush planted in a very large pot. It has been doing very well, producing berries and new growth. All of a sudden the leaves have begun to turn dark. I have it potted in good soil...
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Evergreen hedge for constant rain
June 24, 2008
We live in Washington State up north by Canadian border. We need a hedge that will survive the constant rain. We have tried cedar. They seem to turn brown and die,one at a time so we keep replacing th...
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Improperly prepared building site in Virginia
June 24, 2008
Hi, I have a question about planting on newly-built homesite. We just moved into a new home in DC suburbs (Northern VA) and the landscape is the worst of the builder grade. There are prickly junipers ...
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Plants for full sun and clay soil in NY
May 06, 2008
We live in upstate new york( zone 5) with full sun and clay soil. What flowers/flowering shrubs would be successful in this environment?
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What can be planted under a pine tree in Detroit, MI?
April 22, 2008
What type of plant would you suggest I plant under my big (Blue bruce) pine tree? It's about 25 ft high and the branches are trimmed to about 4 feet up, so it does get some light but mostly shade.I a...
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Plants for acid soils and coffee grounds for the soil
April 21, 2008
Please tell me what plants & flowers need acid soil and are coffee grains good to make soil acid?
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Possibility of growing plants in St. Peter Sandstone
April 02, 2008
Can you grow plants or native plants in St. Peter Sandstone or amend it?
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Non-blooming Texas Mountain Laurel
March 30, 2008
Two questions: 1. My mountain laurel (10 yrs old) has never had blooms. Is this a gender plant issue? 2. I have been seeking a groundcover that grows in shade and will take foot (dog) traffic. ...
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Plants for soil with basalt outcroppings in Idaho
March 30, 2008
We have basalt (lava) outcropping in part of our back yard and know we'll have to search for pockets of soil in which to plant. Any suggestions about what trees or shrubs would have a chance in thes...
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Native plants for poorly drained clay soil
March 24, 2008
I am trying to establish a native plant garden in my back yard, I have two places where water stands for a few hours after a heavy rain, and the soil is black clay. Can you recommend any perennials 3...
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topicquestion

220 Results:   10  25  50 100 per page