Newer hydrangea varieties are hardy, colorful
Question: What is a good replacement for Endless Summer hydrangea?
Endless Summer is one of the repeat blooming big leaf hydrangeas that were selected to bloom on both old and new wood. Many newer varieties have been introduced as improvements on the original Endless Summer. I am hearing lots of good comments on Summer Crush from horticulturists, including those in Minnesota. Or you may want to consider one of the pink blooming Annabelle type hydrangeas like Invincibelle Spirit II, Invincibelle Ruby, or Incrediball Blush. These are hardy, have pink flowers no matter the soil pH, and flower on new wood. Some gardeners are opting for panicle hydrangeas that are also hardy and flower on the current season's growth. These flowers start out white and fade to pink and even red depending on the variety.
Q: I am new to gardening. I am concerned about snow and winter rains compacting or eroding my soil. Should I cover my beds with plastic to protect the soil?
Cover the soil surface with a layer of organic mulch such as shredded leaves, evergreen needles or wood chips. These materials protect the soil surface from compaction caused by pounding rains and minimize the risk of erosion. They also help suppress weeds, conserve moisture, moderate soil temperatures and as they decompose add nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Freshcoastguardians.com has lots of tips for protecting our soil and keeping water where it falls on our landscapes for plants to use instead of overwhelming our storm sewers. Save the clear plastic for managing weeds and disease problems. Covering soil for eight weeks during the hottest part of the growing season can elevate the soil temperature and kill many weeds, their seeds and some disease organisms. Since plastic doesn't allow air through, it can negatively impact soil if left in place too long.
Q: You suggest that a peace lily receive bright or filtered light, yet I read that will prevent the flowers from turning white.
A lack of light and excessive fertilizer are the usual cause for poor flower color in peace lilies. Growing these plants in direct sunlight as opposed to bright or filtered light can cause browning of the leaves. Peace lilies will fade from white to green as they age.
Q: We are overrun with pachysandra. Is there a good way to curb it, or better yet, kill it in some of our beds?
Edging the garden bed or area where you want to keep the pachysandra is a good start to containing your vigorous groundcover. You can smother the planting with black plastic for several months or solarize the soil covering the area with clear plastic for eight of the hottest weeks of the growing season. These methods also kill any of the desirable plants in the covered area. Applying a total vegetation killer when the plants are actively growing and temperatures are right for the chemical to work is another option. Protect all your desirable plants as these chemicals can kill any plant they touch. As always read and follow label directions carefully.
Email questions to melindamyers.com, or write P.O. Box 798, Mukwonago, WI 53149.