Now is not a good time to prune an unruly forsythia

Q : We traveled a lot this summer and are now back. A forsythia bush we have planted near the front entrance grew really well this year. Some of the canes are really long and almost a nuisance. Is it an OK time to trim the forsythia now? — H.T., Albuquerque

A: No, it’s not the best time to prune your forsythia! But if several of the canes are in the way you could sacrifice them so your entrance isn’t hindered in any way.

The pruning of the forsythia should have been done in the late spring because this plant sets next year’s bloom on the “new wood” it grows during the growing season. If you prune the plant hard now, you’ll effectively remove all or nearly all of next spring’s flowering. A couple of the errant canes, OK, but not a good hard pruning now.

Q: I love the color change of leaves this time of year! I have a nice space in the backyard for a tree that’d offer color change in the fall. Can you suggest a couple of trees that would give me good autumn color? — L.C., West Side

A: The first tree I think of for lots of color changing capability would be a Chinese pistache. I think of the horse of a different color in the movie “The Wizard of Oz” every time I see a pistache in the fall. They are usually wearing lots of different colored foliage during this period. Colors include rusty oranges, bright red, darker burgundy, cheerful yellow and some scarlet. The pistache usually doesn’t get too big at maturity, grows easily in these parts and is known as a fairly pest-free tree so it might just the ticket.

For brilliant yellow color consider a ginkgo biloba or maidenhair tree. They do “zone” here, but are slow growers, so think of this tree as more of an ornamental tree.

There are several varieties of oak that can give you lots of color seasonally. Growing up we had an ash tree in our front yard that when in fall color wore the brightest yellow coat you’d ever see. It put some of the cottonwoods and poplar trees to shame. Another ash, the variety “autumn purple,” turns a deeper more vibrant burgundy during fall.

I’d suggest a walk through some nurseries and wholesale shops as the season continues toward color change and see what you can see. Remember, too, that color change is somewhat temperature-dependent. If the temps go from downright pleasant to wicked cold — poof, there goes the change! Now, if we enjoy a more gradual temperature decline into autumn, the more colorful this season will be. There are lots of trees that can offer you color: cottonwoods, redbuds, ash, oak, willows, mulberry, maple and even the fruit trees that grow well here can color wonderfully in the fall. And know that the autumn period is really the best time to plant a tree around here. It’ll be mostly settled and ready to pop awake healthier next spring.

Q: I see bulbs are starting to be available. I want to plant them for the spring. Is it time yet? — H.S., Albuquerque

A: Buy them, yes. Store them some place cool and dry for a while yet, yes. Plant them now? No! I’m afraid the soil is still far too warm to plant your spring blooming bulbs. One of two things could happen: First, they might actually “cook” (especially the bulbs that aren’t planted very deep to begin with) if we stay so very warm, essentially killing the bulb. Or, they’d start to grow now and not be able to stop when we do get cold. I’d suggest waiting to plant your spring bloomers until it truly starts to cool, probably not before the end of this month at the earliest, to be safe.

Pick your new treasures now for best selection, store them some place cool, fairly dark and, most importantly, dry; that way, when the time comes, you’ll be ready. Happy Digging In.

Need tips on growing your garden? Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send your garden-related questions to Digging In, Rio West, P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, NM 87103.