Question: Looking for grapes to grow in shaded areas of the fence. It would be nice if there were some fragrant flowers. What is available?
Answer: Look for Confederate jasmine that will bloom in April or May. This active grower has evergreen leaves and plenty of fragrant white flowers. It also grows in both the sun and shade. Moisten plantings during dry seasons and fertilize slowly in March, May and early October with slow landscape products to keep your fence attractive.
Q: I have a satsuma mandarin with strange looking branches with lots of thorns. Should I cut these off?
A: As mentioned in the e-mail photo, excessively nasty stems of citrus types are not common except when they are growing from root stock. Satsuma trees are often grafted into hardy, tanned orange seeds filled with thorns. Return the thorny stems to the sauce. They may be attached to large limbs that occur under the grafts with which the satsuma variety was added. If this is the case, the spiny stems or limbs should be removed.
Q: Some of our hibiscus leaves have been lost, but we are beginning to get new ones and even some flowers. Is this normal? Do I need to undo or wait now?
A: Even mild winters can be difficult with hibiscus, which prefer a consistent warm climate. Sometimes there is a significant leaf loss. Often, when warm weather returns, it gradually decreases to yellow. This is commonly referred to as the winter decline of hibiscus. As long as the plant adds new leaves and the buds appear healthy, it should recover completely. Now is the time to need to remodel and thin the plants.
Plant Doctor: There are lots of big green leaves, but my Amazon lilies don’t have flowers
Q: There is a Tibouchina shrub that blooms like crazy. When should I prune it?
A: There is no special time required to prun the Tibouchina shrubs – also known as Princess Flower. Gardeners need to use late February or March to trim, as they often have winter damage. The plants are in bloom, so they create a colorful display and do the necessary pruning when most flowers fade.
Q: There is a sap bowl at the base of our peach tree, with new leaves turning yellow and falling. I think there are holes in the trunk too. Is there any hope for my beautiful peach tree?
A: Unfortunately, the condition of the peach tree sounds quite serious. If most of the trunk is damaged, it is doubtful that it can be saved. Get a borer control product with peach trees listed on the label where there is hope and the trees can survive. Synthetic pyrethroids containing insecticides appear to be the most commonly used borer control. Ask the gardener at the garden center to spray containing any of these insecticides and pay attention to the label for the peach tree. Sometimes drilling can be digged and start saving the tree.
Q: My St. Augustine Lawn is full of clover. What can I use to prevent a lawn replacement?
A: Some plants have a clover appearance. It may be a true clover or a common appearance with yellow flowers known as yellow wood sorrel. This broadband layer and other hardwoods can be easily removed using herbicides made for St. Augustine lawns, either liquids or weeds available at the garden centre as directed on the label. Check your product carefully as some are not labeled for use with one of the most common varieties, Floratam St. Augustine. Next, be aware of certain usage recommendations. At least one weed and bait suggests that the grass is moist when applied. Clover or similar weeds should be easily removed. Some residents love true clover on the grass and need to be aware that they can continue to grow.
Q: I want to grow hydrangeas, but it has not been successful. Do they grow up in Central Florida?
Margin in the gardens of Central Florida
A: It’s not a secret traditional hydrangea. The summer sun is too intense and I don’t like the frequent rain and humidity. Still, many gardeners grow plants that look great with colorful flowers. It moisturizes morning sun and afternoon shade and filtered sun. Many organic matters improve planting sites and add light mulch on top of the roots. If blue flowers are required, the pink soil should be acidic and alkaline. The most important thing is to moisten the soil. Water the root system, especially for several months after planting, to keep it moist. Hydrangeas can also be kept in containers. Durable hydrangeas are an oak leaf choice. It is native and tolerate local growth states of filtered sun. All hydrangeas are like fertilizer applications in March, May, August. They often develop problems with fungal leaf spots, so keep the fungicide handy and apply according to the instructions.
Q: My sago is budding new growth at the top after two years of rest. There are also buds at the bottom of the trunk. Should I leave the buds stretched out from the base and low trunk?
A: Leave the shoot to grow from the lower trunk from near the ground only if you want a multi-trunk sago. The email photos show your sago is an old plant with one big trunk and welcome growth. It is probably best to leave it as a single trunk and remove new chutes along the trunk and remove them to the ground. If you wish, take root to let them start plants for your landscape or share them with friends.
Tom Maccubbin is an honorary urban gardener at the University of Florida Cooperative Expansion Services. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, PO Box 2833, Orlando, Florida. 32802. email: tomac1996@aol.com.
