Look for peonies with sturdy stems
Question: Is there a type of peony that does not need staking?
The weight of large flowers and weak stems of some peony varieties make them subject to flopping. The single, Japanese and anemone flowered peonies have fewer petals for lighter-weight blooms that are less subject to flopping.
Some of the larger-flowered varieties, especially newer introductions, have sturdy stems to support the large blossoms. Look for varieties described as having sturdy stems when searching the internet, perusing catalogs or reading plant tags.
Stop by Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners when the peonies are in bloom for help selecting a suitable peony for your garden. A few to consider:t Big Ben, Bowl of Beauty, Buckeye Belle, Krinkled White, Miss America, Old Faithful and Sea Shell.
Q: I have a picket fence that keeps my dogs in the yard but does not provide privacy. I need to leave the area along the inside of the fence open for the dogs. Is it OK to plant the shrubs on the outside of the fence? I have about 3 feet of grass there now.
Start with a call to your local municipality. Ask if there are any restrictions or clearance requirements before planting along a walk, roadway or alley.
Then call Diggers Hotline at 811 or file an online request at diggershotline.com three days before you start digging to have the location of underground utilities marked. If approved, you can get busy planting.
Creating a garden or decorative hedge on the public side of the fence provides neighbors a beautiful view while providing a bit more privacy for you. Just be sure the plants you select will still fit in the space and any clearance requirements once they reach full size.
Q: I plant and tend an elderly friend's flower garden. The dirt is so-o-o old. I thought that I could get new dirt and Rototill it in, but we have planted some perennials that I don't want to inadvertently till up. Any suggestions?
Try vertical mulching. Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost over the soil surface surrounding perennials. Then use an auger bit, like those used for planting bulbs, to drill holes 4 to 6 inches deep in vacant spaces throughout the garden. This aerates the soil while incorporating some of the compost into the soil.
The ground beetles, earthworms and other beneficial insects will help move the rest of the compost into the soil where the plant roots grow. Top-dressing perennial gardens with an inch or two of compost every other year or two will improve the soil and keep perennials thriving with minimal fertilization.
Q: I overwintered two annuals in containers, a Rex begonia and a Dahlia. Should I change out the potting soil this year or leave it as is?
I have successfully grown both these plants in the same container for several years. You may need to add a bit of potting mix to compensate for any settling. Do not bury the stems of the Rex Begonia and other annuals. Instead, lift the plants out of the pot, place needed potting mix in the bottom of the container and reset the plant into the pot. Move pot-bound plants to a larger container. Loosen any circling roots and fill voids with fresh potting mix. You can begin fertilizing as needed once the plants are actively growing.