In the garden
Q I have Supertunias in concrete pots with a drip line. They get watered every day for about 10 minutes. They are in full sun all day. They have become very leggy and thin, with very few leaves. What am I doing wrong? Also, I had Wave petunias in another concrete pot that were stunning, and almost overnight they turned brown and died. They got heavy afternoon sun, and the sprinkler watered them daily. Again, what am I doing wrong?
A Petunias can remain beautiful all season if they are fertilized regularly, and I mean every week or two during the growing season. This year, we had a lot of rain, so there are several annuals that got leggier than normal and maybe not as floriferous. Give the Supertunias that are still alive a haircut — cut them back by half and begin fertilizing. They are quite cool-tolerant and will even survive some light freezes. For the fast-dying pot, I suspect that too much water caused root rot. Clean out and sterilize the container, make sure it has a good drainage hole and plant something new for fall
and winter color.
Q Should I feed my Encore azaleas after this lateseason bloom?
A Encore azaleas are repeat-blooming azaleas. They started reblooming in late summer and should continue through fall. Even though they are blooming and growing now, treat them as you would a spring-only bloomer, and fertilize in the spring after bloom. Do any needed pruning then as well. We would not want to encourage new growth late in the fall and early winter. Do water if it is dry, but that is all the care they need now.
Q I have seen heavily storm-damaged Bradford pear trees, cut off to a mere 3- or 4-foot stump, that have recovered to become an acceptable replacement for the lost tree in three years, or so. Is there a preferred shape or profile other than just a flattopped stump presented to the elements? A shape more conducive to the health of the tree?
A If a tree has been that damaged, it is best to start over. Let it resprout from the soil line or, a better approach, plant a new tree, preferably not a Bradford pear. Ornamental pears are becoming quite invasive in Arkansas, and there are better options.
While it is true that, over time, a storm-ravaged tree does begin to look like a tree again, there is typically so much internal decay the trunk is not stable and future damage is likely.
Q I was recently in a garden in Seattle, and these were blooming everywhere. Can you identify them and tell me if they would survive in Arkansas?
A The flowers in question are dahlias. While they probably won’t look as good in Arkansas as they do in the cooler climates of the Northwest, they can grow and thrive in Arkansas. They come in a wide range of colors. They do best in a sunny location with good soil and ample water. They would prefer sunny, warm days and cool nights, thus they thrive in the northwestern states. While dahlias are considered ever-blooming, when it gets hot, the blooms will be fewer. If you can keep them growing, you should see great flowers in the fall as the temperatures begin to go down. Since our summer was much milder than normal, they actually have been growing the best I have seen this summer. Although they can overwinter in south Arkansas and even occasionally come back in central Arkansas, it is recommended that the tubers be lifted after the first light frost and stored in dry peat moss in a cool, dry location and then replanted in the spring.