From the desk of
Ian J. Sveilich
To all of you it does concern
As the Creative Director and CEO for The English Lady Landscape and Home I meet with people everyday who have concerns about the environment, their home, and the economy. We are in a time of great change and now is the time, more than any other, to take the opportunity to replenish your heart, mind, and soul.
You see, when we think about investing in our home it is really an investment in ourselves. Our emotional bank account is as important as our fiscal one and it is this emotional one that takes the most withdrawals and fewer deposits. An investment in your home not only nourishes you, but nurtures the planet, and in turn feeds the economy.
We at The English Lady believe that in a mindful and balanced manner you can have an organically inspired home and garden that can help you find that respite from the daily grind.
No matter what project we work on, from a small garden or walkway to a new fountain or patio, or makeover your living room with new paint or kitchen with tile, we often hear the same thing from our newly content and relaxed client; “we should have done this years ago.”
Please don’t let the economy freeze your emotional bank account. Invest in yourself by planning ahead, phasing in your project, and smiling as you inhale a breath of clean air contributed by you and your garden to Mother Nature.
Regards
Ian J. Sveilich
CEO & Creative Director
The English Lady Landscape & Home
{ 78 comments… read them below or add one }
The English Lady Team,
We could not be happier with our amazing patio! The entire process went so smoothly. Ian’s design sense is beyond compare. HGTV would be hard-pressed to come up with a more talented designer. I would not be surprised if one day I open up an issue of Veranda and see a pictorial of Ian’s work. It’s that good. In addition to having an aesthetic sixth sense, he has cultivated a team that carry out his vision to the letter.
The crew was excellent and took painstaking care with every detail. What struck me most is the level of craftsmanship from every single member of the team. Anyone can hire a “landscaper”. Finding a true “craftsman” is rare and an altogether different experience.
We look forward to more projects!
Lisa & Dave
Just wanted to offer my thanks on behalf of my family for the wonderful job Ian and his crew did recently at my house. We were having an issue with some stone steps and realized it was time to stop band-aiding the problem and fix it right. We also needed some much needed help with a planting bed adjacent to the steps. Ian was right there when I called the first time, literally. A kind, confident voice picked up when, I was used to leaving messages for others that were never returned. We talked for a while and I told him what we were looking for and set up an appointment for him to come out. He arrived on time and took the time to listen to our ideas for what we wanted and more importantly, our budget. Ian really worked within our limits and the results were amazing. We trusted his judgment and design eye and we were not let down. We’ve received many compliments on the work and our neighbors were amazed that Ian would actually call us from time to time afterwards to check in. He was always available for a call or e-mail. What I would also like to point out here is Ian goes above and beyond in his approach. You really create a bond and it shows he really cares about what he does. The extra tips, insight, and professionalism truly demonstrate he really does have “manure in his veins”. We have some more outside projects in mind and we will most assuredly be calling Ian back. I would not hesitate to tell anyone out there; if you have landscaping projects, give Ian call. You really will be glad you did.
Thanks again Ian!
Dave S.
Just a HUGE thank you to Ian and his team for the incredible transformation of both my and my mom’s front yards. What peace of mind it gives me to look out the window and see tidiness, style and order where chaos (and plain old general MESS) once reigned. My house in particular actually looks welcoming. Not having to mow the slope at mom’s is a dream come true. I got so much more than I anticipated. Ian is a pleasure to work with and his team is wonderful - clean and tidy and just about the hardest working bunch I’ve ever seen. And Ian is usually right in the thick of things with them. To all of you awaiting your first experience with the magic that is the English Lady Landscape, boy - are you in for a treat! With much gratitude - Karen
Everything is progressing very smoothly and ahead of schedule. We couldn’t be more pleased. The crew is courteous and always leave the property neat and orderly.
I have heard you many times on WRCH and do appreciate all of your hints and observants
from all of the other callers. Your advice is “spot on”
Thank you.
You mentioned this morning on WRCH about Neem Oil for the red lily beetle. Is this pretty easy to find at the store and how do I apply it to the lilies?
Debra, on this website click on ‘What To Use In The Garden’ and Neem oil is available and will instruct you how to use it. Maureen
Hi Maureen,
Can you let me know what I can do for our arborvitae? They are about 10 years old and around 20 feet tall. We have some branches that are drooping this year. What can we do for the branches and any advice to keep these evergreens healthy? Thanks!
I was listening to WRCH the other day and heard Maureen say that somewhere on her website explained what to do with the garden to prevent the tomatoe blight that we all endured last year (something having to do with laying down plastic . .???). Apparently she had talked about it more in depth earlier in the show, but I missed it. Where can I read about this?
Thanks . . .and I LOVE when she’s on WRCH. I wish they had her more often. The hour flies by . . .. .
I love all the valid information left on site as well as your radio shows. Can you tell me why i keep getting moss in a couple areas of yard. Under HUGE Jane Magnolia(outskirts), near tree and most oddly near front of my house, near foundation. NEVER SHADED. How do i remove and it once and for all? Suggestions?
Do gladiolias need to be lifted?
The answer is yes. Plant corms at the end of April in two week successions so that you have blooms for a number of weeks in the summer. Plant them eight inches down with manure in the soil, this depth will prevent the heavy blooms from falling over. When the foliage has yellowed, dig up the corms, cut off the foliage and leave them to dry in a warm dry place for a few hours. Separate the new corms and small cormels from the old withered ones, which will not bloom again. Dust the corms with sulphur and keep in a cool (40 to 50 degrees) dry place over the winter. Good luck Maureen
Faye, I love moss so I do not take it out of the garden, however it will probably continue to be under the Magnolia in the shade which is a lovely carpet but the moss near the foundation can be removed with half a cup of white vinegar mixed with one gallon of water, without harming plants. Maureen
Barbara, under garden tips on website in April tips I wrote about solarization for tackling the tomato blight, so I know that will help you. Keep listening and stay in touch. Maureen
Louise, I suggest that the drooping branches should lift this spring, as the new growth appears. Apply peat, manure and some mulch to keep the roots moist and cool to keep them healthy. Maureen
Hi Maureen,
Every year my hostas come up and they are gorgeous. After a month, they start to get little holes and look awful. Is there anything I can put on them to prevent this from happening? Thanks for your time.
Hi,
I use Miracle Grow. Should I be using some other product.
Thanks,
Kathleen
Kathleen, check on this website ‘what to use in the garden’ and it will give you all the organic products needed for the health and growth of the garden. Maureen
Michele, get a one gallon spray container, fill with water, add 1 teaspoon baking soda, dash of dish soap, teaspoon of vegetable oil and two crushed garlic cloves, that should keep away the foliage foragers. Good luck Maureen
Do I spray the mixture right on the hostas or around it? Thanks again.
I just bought some dark american arborvitaes. I dont want a thick hedge, want a little room between them. They told me at the nursery to plant them 6 feet apart, but I read they can get to 10 or even 12 feet across. How far apart should I plant them?
Hi Maureen:
Love listening to you on the radio!
My question…I have two small lilac trees that were planted too close to the house and need to be moved….when should I transplant them and what do they require to thrive?
Thank you!!
Janet, immediately after they finish blooming remove spent blooms. Then move to a sunny spot with good drainage. Do not plant any deeper than they are in the ground now and in the new planting mix add manure and a cup of lime and keep watered so that the roots reach out into the soil. Then prune them by removing a few of the oldest stems to a few inches above ground level. If you see powdery mildew, use a Neem oil spray that can be found on this website under ‘what to use in the garden’. Good luck Maureen
Janice, Dark American arborvitaes grow to be six to eight fee wide and twenty feet tall. It is a fast grower in sun or partial shade, needing good drainage and even moisture. Prune to keep in control for a hedge in late winter. Add peat and manure to the planting mix and do not plant them any deeper than they are in their containers. Plant eight feet apart. Good luck Maureen
Maureen,
I am such a fan! A new one but none the less a fan. I work with limited capacity these days. But gardening is my one and only vice. I am having such a great time with it. I bought my first soil testing kit today. This should be fun. ONE REQUEST. How do i kill off these horrid, horrid rose of sharon. They are the worst, next to the grape vines that dont produce anyway. They seem to sprout up everywhere and the issue is they are sprouting in my metal fence, making it difficult to catch them when it happens. I have white ones and purple ones sprouting up all over. I pull them up(very hard i might ad). Suggestions on killing the roots where i can get to them? Bleach i heard? I just worry about other vegitation
Thanks!
I would like to know why this spring my Daffodils came up but very few had buds on them and they weren’t chewed by anything.
Maureen ,
I really enjoy your gardening tips and have tried a couple of them. This year I have a lilac tree (bush) that didn’t bloom. Last year was the first time it produced flowers. Should I have done something after it bloomed last year. There is a lot of new growth but no flowers. Help
Marion, hopefully your lilac is in full sun, add two handfulls of organic lime pellets around it and manure. After it blooms remove spent flowers and in November remove the suckers from around the base. Maureen
Rosemary, After Daffodils have been in the soil for a few years, the depth of soil gets eroded by weather and if the bulbs are not at a depth of nine inches they will not bloom. Sprinkle some bone meal around the plant before the leaves turn yellow and then after they yellow, dig them up and replant them at a depth of eight to nine inches with manure in the planting mix and water the area after planting. Good luck Maureen
Hello. I bought several bearded iris bulbs or i forget what they are called. I got very ill and was in hospital. Now i still have these and they are so dried up, if i plant them is here any chance they will grow. Someone at work told me to soak them in water a couple of days and try it? Thoughts? They are still in the bags with holes.
Hope you are feeling better from your illness. If the Irises were completely dried out there is no hope. You can buy some now and plant them, but only put enough soil over the roots so that they do not fall over, if the Iris are planted any deeper, they will not bloom. Good luck Maureen
I have green moss growing on the side of my house (not much sunlight). Some folks advised me to scrape off the moss and put lime into the soil. I’m afraid the moss spores will get into the soil underneath and grow again.
Shall I first spray the entire moss area with the vinegar/water mixture, wait a couple of days, then scrape it off? Or, will the vinegar cause the moss to die out. Please advise, Maureen. Thank you! I just love your program on WRCH with Allan, Mike & Allison. Wish you were on more often, or for a longer period of time. Your are quite the English lady, indeed! Diane from Agawam, MA
You are such a wealth of knowledge, have you written any books? When is the best time to move or transplant a peony. We moved some from one house to another while blooms are growing, so if they dont open this year i will understand, i didnt put them to deep either per one of your notes
Hi Maureen - I just bought a peony tree and the nursery told me in a few years it should have a hundred flowers! It already has a few and each is about ten inches in diameter! The flowers are lovely! Any tips to guarantee a beautiful, healthy tree?
Tree peonies benefit from a yearly pruning after blooming to promote bushy growth and at the same time prune all suckers from the root area. In fall place a layer of mulch around the base and in April spread a layer of manure and keep the soil evenly moist through the growing season, that is to September. Enjoy
Diane, hot water, vinegar and a scrubbing brush are the tools to use and use lime in the soil to prevent it growing in that area. Good luck Maureen
WHO IS EATING THE PLANTS?
I have been diligent this spring about prepping my plants for summer. I have four rose bushes in one area, some pansies near the mailbox and hostas along the walkway. We live in a wooded area. Is it possible that all the plants have been eaten by deer?? I know they have consumed most of my tulips in the yard and I gave up planting them several years ago, but I had no idea they could eat rose blossoms…yes, just the blossoms. Or is there some other criter eating these plants?
Frustrated…..
Nancy
I was in your audience yesterday at the Clinton Congregational Church. I also celebrated my seventieth birthday yesterday. You provided me with encouragement in many ways. I was thrilled to note that you have to be nearly my age or even a smidge older. Your accomplishments, your enthusiasm, etc. were just what I needed to get through this milestone. Thank you.
Best wishes in all you are trying to accomplish. Gardening and communing with nature has served you well. It has kept you young and beautiful! What a selling point that is, along with your message and your mission.
Tata!
Betty, my philosophy in life is to keep moving forward with a positive attitude and as you do that, no matter what life may hold, you will find the good warm energy coming back to you. Keep in touch and I will hold your hand as we ladies all need to hold one another’s hand in life’s journey. Regards, Maureen
Nancy, use a one gallon sprayer container, filled with water, squirt of dish soap, teaspoon of veg oil and three crushed garlic cloves, should do the trick. Maureen
I recently planted two big leaf hydrangea plants (late March/ Early April). They started just as sticks with a few leaves but now they are covered in beautiful leaves. It currently does not have any buds on it. Since it is a new plant, should I expect buds this year or will it skip a year and hopefully bud next year?
Thank you for your help.
Maureen,
I bought a very large bag of Miracle Grow’s Moisture Control potting mix to repot many of my plants. However, it sees there are small “no-see-um (as I call them)” flies coming OUT of the soil in the new pots. What is causing this and how do I get rid of them before they kill my plants. I absolutely love listening to you on on WRCH on my drive to work; you are a wealth of information! Thank you “love”!
Fran, this is an infested soil. Buy some new ordinary potting soil without any additives and repot the plants. Good luck Maureen
Heather, the hydrangeas are doing just fine, that is how they grow and you should get blooms in July which is their time to show and do not prune them after blooming. Maureen
Hello Maureen,
About three years ago, we planted a wisteria plant. It has grown lush with beautiful leaves, growing like wild fire, but never has had any flowers. The plant is on the north side of the house. When we bought the plant three years ago, we could not plant it right away in the ground so it sat in its pot for a few weeks. I am wondering if that is why it won’t flower. Enjoy hearing your talk show. Thank you, Dee
Dee, check the home page and on ‘what to read’ you will see about Wisteria, which should be of great help. Maureen
Kathleen, prune the holly now so that new growth will hide any cuts and prune so the shrub has natural shape not round balls. Maureen
As I was mulching around the shrubs in front of my house, my japanese dwarf boxwoods (which are growing beautifully) are covered in little white bugs. They are separated from each other by other grasses, and shrubs, but the bugs are only on the boxwoods. What should I do and are they harmful to the plant? Oh, the plants are five years old.
nancy
Hi - I planted four kousa dogwoods last fall. The trees were purchased from a reputable nursery and measured 3″ diameter. At the time all four were healthy with green leaves and loaded with berries. We’re in a very high, open elevation of Litchfield County with blustery winds. Recently (only within the last 10 days) three of the four trees finally leafed. The fourth has yet to show any sign of foliage. However, all branches are pliable and light brown in color. A surface scratch does show some green hints. All branch tips show nothing more than a pin-size head. Could it be possible this one tree was extra “shocked” and could still thrive? I’m concerned since it’s so late in the season. Any advice appreciated.
Steven, all the Kousas are late this year, I suggest a wait and see attitude and I have a feeling all will be well. Its been a most unusual spring. Maureen
Nancy, it sounds like aphids, they are quite a menace this spring. On the home page of this website, click on what to use in the garden’ and you will find the organic solution. Maureen
Dear Maureen,
Last year I planted 3 mountain laurel bushes. I noticed almost fron the start some leaves turned yellow, were spotted and then fell off the bush. All 3 of them. Is it soil, lack of water, or too m uch water? I know nothing about these bushes. I live in the center of Connecticut and they did make it through the winter and are in bloom as we speak. How do I get rid of the yellow spotted leaves.
Thanks in advance,
Robin P.
Maureen,
I bought several beared iris in different color from agway and local nursery. They are blooming, some are. I was told i have to plant two together? Is this true or if there is lots of leaves does this mean their are two rhisomes? I dont want to disturb the soil etc to count them. Local nursery said you dont need to put two together.
hELP?
I recently purchased and planted a Bloomerang Lilac bush. The flowers that were on it have passed and I clipped them off as told. I do not see any new flowers coming. I was under the impression that this was a continous blooming bush. What should I do to get flowers?
Thank you
Hello. I have listened to you on WRCH in the morning and I am hoping you can give me advice. I did not plant a bleeding heart along side my house but lo and behold there is one that has taken up the whole side of my home. Can I cut in back even though there are lovely little heart flowers on it? I treasure your advice. We just don’t know how it grew when we didn’t plant anything but annuals on that side of the house last Spring.
Rita
Rita. the seeds of the Bleeding Heart are air born and obviously you received this gift from some in your area. Do not cut them back until the leaves turn yellow. Enjoy. Maureen
i heard about manuever last fall on wrch 100.5 radio station in one of your segment. I was skeptical at first but i used it anyways with my plants. I have to tell you that that’s best thing i have ever done to my rose plants…I have over 30 roses only on one shrub alone! i just wanted to Thank you for that wonderful tip.
I am writing about two hydrandeas that i have. They have both been in the ground for two years. They started out wonderful this spring but now are not looking so good. On one, many of the leaves are turning brown on the tips and then just starting to shrival up. This is not just new growth, although that seems to be where i see it the most. I lost one whole stalk to this type of situation. The other plant has leaves that are turning an almost purple color and then there are tan spots in the middle of the leaf. .. Can you tell me what is wrong?
One more question, i have a perenial flower plant, I am not sure what kind, but it only grows about 6 inches tall. I went out this evening and was putting a little mulch around it, disturbed the leaves, and all these really tiny white flies came flying out. Can you tell what that would be and whether or not I should spray something to get rid of them?
Thank you so much for your time….
Robin, all the broad leaf evergreens were affected this year by the cold winds of last winter. The mountain laurel will bounce back but to help put peat and manure as well as fine bark mulch around the base to proctect the shallow roots and give the soil around them good structure. Maureen
Definitely MANURE is the nectar of the gods, great stuff, keep using it, in spring, summer and again in fall to keep your soil happy for the plants. Maureen
Hi, What is the best source for manure. I have a small garden, and cannot afford to get a truck load delivered from a farm, Elga
Our blue Delphinium plants grew so tall that they fell over and are starting to brown. If we cut them back, will they rebloom this season? How far back should we cut them?
Dear Maureen:
I saw above an entry about mountain laurels. I had a different problem. I had no blossoms or flowers this year. Plenty of green leaves sprouted. We planted this probably about 4 years ago and it has grown steadily each year and has had blooms each year. It is in a space in our front yard that we don’t want to let it grow too big so last year shortly after it bloomed, I trimmed the bush probably about 15%. Would this have caused no blooms this year? If I did the trimming at the wrong time of year, what is the best time to trim mountain laurel?
Thanks so much!
Jill
Jill, Mountain laurel should only be pruned to remove dead flower heads and dead branches. It is a tree shrub that only grows to about ten feet. If you prune any more it can take up to three years for it to bloom again. In the meantime put manure and peat around the base. Maureen
Kim, do not cut them back. Delphiniums need to be staked with sturdy stakes. They a partly shaded area with half day of sun, in well drained soil with added manure and good moisture. Feed with an organic fertilizer immediately after blooming and deadhead to promote rebloom. Wide spacing increases air circulation, reducing disease problems. Hose off spider mites regularly if they appear. Maureen
Elga, composted manure from the garden center in different size bags works very well. Manure in any form is just wonderful for building up the soil. Maureen
something is destroying my asiatic lillies many leaves are done. They are black soft things all over the leaves. what can I do to save them?
i have hydrangea bush . it starts out with a white/green flower that turns lavender and then keeps changing ,turning deeper as the season goes on until it becomes a deep plum color. it’s about 5 -6 ft tall. any idea what variety this could be? thanks for your help.
Kathy, the species of Hydrangea you have is Hydrangea Macrophylla and comes in light Blue. dark blue, pink and maroon. Give it manure and plenty of water for it to continue to flourish. Maureen
Hello Maureen! I have a tree that currently has little red balls/berries (not edible)…in the spring it has dark pink small flowers. Its about 7-9 feet tall. I am sorry - I don’t know what kind of tree it is…. Anyway, each leaf has red dots that look just like the balls/berries on the tree. The leaves all over the tree are covered with these red dots. Is this a disease? I can send you a picture of the tree if necessary.
thank you!
Linda, It sounds as if the tree has leaf spot which is a fungus and needs an organic fungicide. You can make your own if you so desire - a garlic spray is a fungicide as well as an insecticide. Mix 5-10 cloves of garlic with l pint of water in blender, strain and spray on plants. Apply this spray in the early morning before the temperature exceeds 80 degrees and the humidity exceeds 80%, when there is little wind. However, you may want to wait a couple of days as the heat and humidity are very high this week. If you do not wish to make your own, buy an organic liquid sulfur spray. Good luck Maureen
Hello Maureen,
I have some basil plants that are getting eaten. Thinking it was slugs I tried some beer in a container but only caught one. Today I tried putting coffee grounds around the base of the plants in hopes that would help. They were looking great and now they are like swiss cheese! I really want them to come back so I can have it for my tomatoes! Should I put them in containers on my porch instead or will the pests find their way to my porch too?!?!? Please help!!
Thanks so much!
~Joanne
Joanne, on the home page of this website, check on gardening tips and go to the end of the August tips following July and you can use any other remedies found there. Maureen
Hi Maureen – I have two questions for you
Butterfly Bush – I read in your Eco-letter how you had cut yours back after the last frost. I have two that I planted three years ago and they need to be moved. When is the best time to transplant, and should I cut them back at that time?
Chris, prune the butterfly bush in early April and transplant them in late April, planting them no deeper than they are in the ground now, keeping the roots covered with existing soil as you transplant and add manure to the planting mix, then water well, keep them watered and add a fine bark mulch around the base.
Use garlic spray on the clematis problem. A gallon spray container filled with water, five garlic cloves crushed in blender, a squirt of dish soap, and two teaspoons of vegetable oil. Maureen
Clematis – I have four that the leaves are getting eaten by something – but I have no idea what. What should I spray them with?
Thanks so much.
Hi Maureen - my rose bushes did SO well this summer with the third batch of blooms coming up, however, the leaves are beginning to turn yellow and are falling off- from the bottom up.
When I inspect the plant, i notice little patches of white on the soil. Is this mildew?? Should I spray it with the baking soda, water and oil concoction that you often speak of? What else could be causing the leaves to fall off? Help me save my roses, please!
Liz, definitely sounds like powdery mildew which is a fungus, so in a one gallon spray container dissolve 1 tablespoons of baking soda, a squirt of dish soap and two teaspoons of vegetable oil and spray in the early morning when there is little to no wind. Maureen
Hi
I recently had planted 4 6-8 foot white pine trees. I have been watering with 5 gallon pail of water for each tree each daily. The weather has been very sunny and warm, we live in Southeastern Connecticut. Help the leaves are turning brown! What can I spray to save my trees?
Thank You!
Toni, apply manure, peat and mulch around the base of the trees to keep in moisture as well as watering. The best time to plant evergreens is in April and in September, when the weather is cooler as hot temperatures can shock the evergreens as they are shallow rooted, however, add the materials I mentioned and the trees should bounce back in the early fall, in early October, add more manure, peat and mulch to protect the roots in their first winter. The brown needles can be shaken off and do no harm. In early spring you will notice more brown needles which is the evergreen shedding as do deciduous trees and new growth will appear in their place. Maureen
Good Morning Maureen,
I love listening to you on the radio. I wonder if you can help me. It seems I am plagued with black locust, or I think that is what it is. Both my neighbors and I cut down black locust trees last year, and the trees have sprouted suckers that look like bushes now. I’ve cut mine back again to the trunk. The problem is, the plant is coming up all over the yard. All over! The root system is strong and plants are connected underground by several feet of roots. The stems break easily, and the roots are hard to pull out. This plant has invaded every garden and corner in my yard. What should I do to get rid of it and prevent any further spread?
Laura, the black locust tree is extremely invasive. with fast growing suckers that can sprout at great distance from the tree and should be cut out promptly. It would seem that the best idea would be to call in an arborist to cut down the trees and dig out any remaining root systems. Maureen
Hi Maureen, I love listening to you on WRCH and this year I had the best hydrangea blooms ever, by not cutting them back and using manure!
I do have one question. I have a pear tree that has grown quite tall and the last few years has had an abundance of pears. But this year and last just before they are ready to pick (last week) I came out to a tree with not one pear left on it, or any on the ground. Do you have any idea what could be taking them and picking my tree clean?
Thank you.
Ann, the responsible party could be any fruit loving creature that can climb trees. However, if the trees are not tall and the fruit boughs are low down it could be deer. Try sprinkling cayenne pepper around the trees and on the trunk. Maureen
Hi Maureen:
We recently planted several plants ans flowers in our backyard. We’ve noticed we are loosing all our hostas.
They are holes around the plants, and we think the gophers are eating them.
What can we do to protect the plants or get rid of the gophers.
I would appreciate your advise.
Thank you
Hope, for the gopher problem you might want to call your local animal control and for the hostas try cayenne pepper around the plants or spray in the early morning with a one gallon sprayer container filled with water, five crushed garlic cloves, a squirt of dish soap and a teaspoon of vegetable oil. Good luck Maureen
Hi Maureen,
My husband and I planted Arborvitae trees to be used as a screen from the neighbors yard. They have grown in height but not in width. Should we be cutiing off the tops to encourage fullness and if so when is the best time to do that, in the fall or spring? Thank you.
Rachel
Rachel, they will fill in and take time, but do not cut out the top as removing the top leader can result in very odd shapes and does not encourage width. Adding manure, peat and mulch around the base in spring and fall will do much more for their growth. Hopefully you planted them far enough apart that they will have room to spread. Maureen
Hi Maureen,
I wrote you a few months back describing one of four koosa trees (all planted last fall, B&B) that hadn’t shown a single leaf. The remaining three kousa have had a good year..so far. The questionable tree appeared not to have survived the shock of a transplant. Anyway, this weekend I was prepared to give it its final rites and sure enough a few, scattered leaves have just begun to emit! Very tiny leaves though. Some branches are clearly dead. What gives with the late summer emergence?
Steve, if the fourth Kousa dogwood is 50% or more dead, then remove it, as it will not improve. So glad your others are doing fine. Its been a very stressful season on all plants whether in the mixed borders or vegetable garden. Maureen
Hi Maureen! I heard you say on lite 100.5 this morning - “leave the grass alone” even if its brown. I just replanted my front lawn this past spring and it started out green and perky but now more than 50% of it is very very brown. Should I till it, reseed and start over? or leave it alone?
Also, I recently purchased a few Jasmine plants for my house - these are tropical plants and so I plan to keep them indoors over the winter. What conditions does it need to flower and flourish? I tried to do some research online but I’ve received conflicting information on how much sun and water it needs…
thank you!