Higgins: Q&A on seasonal planning
Q: I have a row of decorative liriope at the edge of a flower bed that has been overtaken by Bermuda grass. Pulling the grass is not working. Do you have any advice? Suggested herbicides?
A: There are herbicides that will kill wiregrass, which may need several applications throughout the growing season. You would have to apply a general-purpose weedkiller, which would zap everything else in the vicinity. I find it can be pulled back, a task made easier by wet soil.
Q: My neighbors have built an abomination of a house next door, and I’d like to layer some screening between our yards. I was hoping to get away from arborvitae and pick something with seasonal interest that can grow to a height of 10 to 15 feet. I was thinking of skip laurel but was curious whether you had any native preferences.
A: I might go with some varieties of holly; you can pick native types if you want, such as American holly or Yaupon. If you want nonnative evergreens, consider chindo viburnum or Korean pine.
Q: I have not one but two orb-weaver spiders residing in my garden.
Not a lover of insects or arachnids, I freaked out when I noticed the spiders, but have since learned that they can be beneficial to the garden by taking out harmful pests. But I’ve also seen them take out beneficial pests – pollinators such as butterflies and bumblebees. What’s the consensus? The approaching cooler temperatures will probably take care of the issue, but for future reference, what’s the best way to deal with these enormous spiders?
A: This is the time of year when spiders are big and web-savvy. I love spotting argiope, garden and orb-weaver spiders. In the garden recently, I disturbed wolf spiders of enormous size, like mini-tarantulas. If the webs are not in the way, leave them alone. If a web is in the way, gently remove it with a stick and the spider will find another place to make its home.
Q: My backyard was invaded while the restoration of my house took precedence – vines of many varieties, pokeweed and some mysterious 10-foot-tall weed where my tomatoes once grew. I suppose I need to keep up my Washington Post subscription to use the paper to block the weeds from returning next spring.
A: Yes, keep those paper subscriptions coming. As for your weeds, vines tend to be the most destructive invaders because they put their energy into soft growth and lean on other plants. This year has been a banner one for vines simply because of the excessive heat and rainfall. Cut them back, and then use a mattock to attack the roots. This can be done at any time as long as the ground isn’t frozen. Make sure you identify the vine and take precautions against poison ivy, etc.
Q: I have a south-facing balcony and would like to try growing lavender next spring. Do you have any advice on planter size and/or cultivar selection?
A: Generally, the larger the container, the easier on the plant. Don’t go with anything less than 12 inches, and make sure you have incorporated lots of grit or gravel into the mix and that everything is free-draining. Lavandins are bigger than angustifolias but might be a little more tender. Any plant in a container will need to be a zone or two hardier than those in the ground, because their roots are less insulated against winter cold.
Q: I have never been able to plant hydrangeas because of the deer that feast in my yard daily. This fall, I’ve purchased two large pots (30 inches in diameter) and placed them on my patio, where they will receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Do you have any favorite hydrangeas? A: The big trend in hortensia hydrangeas is with the freeze-hardy re-bloomers, but I like some of the older varieties, such as Blue Bird and Tokyo Delight.
“This is the time of year when spiders are big and web-savvy. In the garden recently, I disturbed wolf spiders of enormous size, like mini-tarantulas... If a web is in the way, gently remove it with a stick and the spider will find another place to make its home.”
–Gardening columnist Adrian Higgins