Transplanting Shrubs: The "Root Pancake" Method for Success

Back during summer, my wife and I threw a party celebrating kitchen/sunroom remodel. Invited two who knew my house way back when: Dottie Myers, award-winning landscape designer, and her aunt Shirley, who planted some aza

Shrub Propagation by Soil Layering: Simple Summer Technique

Summer is great for propagating favorite shrubs by rooting stems underground. One of the simplest, fast, efficient ways to multiply a shrub. Look for long shoots that can bend to touch ground. Measure 8–12 inches back fr

Why Shrubs Don't Bloom: Light, Soil, Fertilizer, and Genetics

I visited proud parents of a new baby. Just fed, she slept as adults talked. I placed her in crib but something wasnt right—she woke wailing. Mom and Dad tried soothing; equally hapless. Three intelligent adults perfectl

Winter Shrub Protection: Black Plastic, Cardboard, Pine Straw, and Windbreaks

Thoughts on protecting shrubs from winter cold: BLACK PLASTIC Counterintuitively, black plastic is better than clear. Object: trap soil heat around trunk and limbs. Plastic is windproof and effective IF anchored to groun

Distinguishing Snowball Viburnums: Chinese, Japanese, European, and Fragrant Types

Gardeners must distinguish between snowball viburnums. Chinese snowball viburnum is Viburnum macrocephalum. Huge (4–8 inch) round white flowers on branch ends, April/May. Often confused with hydrangea but blooms much ear

Viburnum Pollination: Plant Compatible Varieties for Best Fruit Set

Although hollies are better-known for berries, viburnum shrubs can also have striking fall fruit. Two best fruiting viburnums: tea viburnum (Viburnum setigerum) and Linden viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum). As with hollies,

Overwintering Banana Plants: Methods for Georgia Gardens

Given mild winter and sheltered location, banana trees occasionally survive Atlanta winters untended. More often, stems and roots turn to mush by spring. Gardeners liking the tropical look but not replacement costs can t

Buying Plants: Research Disease Resistance and Hardiness Before Purchase

My friend Von Woods asked: Do you have a list of disease-resistant dogwoods? Heard a new fungus is killing wild trees in the Smokies. Vons info is true, but not panic time in Atlanta. Discula destructiva killed thousands

Cold Damage to Plants: Protection Strategies and Frost Date Averages

Originally written March 2002; details accurate for any winter. Last night WEATHER.COM predicted 19°F at 6:00 a.m. Saturday; now 26°F. For Cumming 24°F, Jonesboro 27°F. Questions: Will this hurt plants? Should I cover th

Disease Control: Managing Brown Patch and Black Spot with Fungicides

A friend complained about his $100+/month drugstore bill for blood pressure and cholesterol. Those hamburgers we enjoyed in college werent so good long-term. Correct. Bulldog Burgers (with fries) insidiously reappear in

Plant Galls: Insect-Caused Growths That Look Alarming But Are Harmless

S.N. described a strange sight: For two springs, small red or reddish-brown mounds on Chinese witchhazel leaves. Could this be lady bugs or praying mantids? If beneficial well leave them, but we dont know what they are.

Rating Garden Catalogs: Trustworthy Sources for Mail-Order Plants

Garden catalogs have existed for centuries, but which are reliable? Two trusted resources: Daves Garden Garden Watchdog: Gardener reviews and ratings of mail-order companies. Mail Order Gardening Association (MGA): Memb

Gardening with a PDA: A 2003 Perspective on Early Mobile Tech

NOTE: Written for AJC in 2003, before smartphones and apps. Interesting to see how far weve come! My wifes garden club visited last week. Great time talking and tasting potluck dishes. Watch Molly Wilsons cheese muffins,

Plant Hooligans: Four Aggressive Species to Avoid

Fast growth can blind gardeners to invasive potential. Four commonly sold plants that become nightmares: Vines Five-leaf akebia (Akebia quinata): Raisin vine covers fences/garages rapidly. Escaped 20 ft from trellis into

Invasive Alert: Mimosa Tree Threatens Native Ecosystems

Several once-popular ornamentals—kudzu, Japanese honeysuckle, bamboo, privet, English ivy—have become invasive scourges. Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) joins this list. A nostalgic gardener lamented its reclassification, r

Choosing Healthy Plants at the Nursery: Fall Shopping Tips

Fall offers cooler temps and bargains, but dont buy sick plants. Inspect before purchasing: Examine the Root Ball Lift the plant from its pot. Spring roots should be white/tan, just circling. Fall roots form a dense mat—

Identifying and Correcting Landscape Drainage Problems

Signs of drainage issues include standing water, soggy soil, erosion, and foundation moisture. The Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association (MALTA) published a guide with Landscape Architect Bruce Holliday on identif

Wet Weather Woes: Hydrangea Leaf Spot, Oakleaf Wilt, Mushrooms, Mosquitoes

Record May rainfall brings specific problems: Cercospora Leaf Spot on Hydrangeas Purple spots with brown centers. Usually tolerable, but early onset warrants fungicide: myclobutanil (Immunox) or mancozeb. Avoid overhead

Fall Planting: The Best Time for Most Plants

Fall is ideal for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials. Warm soil (55–75°F) promotes vigorous root growth before winter. Spring planting often struggles with cold soil—last year soil didnt reach 55°F until May. Economi

Photograph Your Landscape for Insurance and Tax Records

Summer storms can damage trees and shrubs. Homeowners insurance may cover losses; the IRS may allow casualty deductions. But proving the value of a mature oak requires documentation. Photograph your landscape each summer