Winter Protection for Gardenias: Using Frost Cloth Only When Temperatures Drop to the Teens
Q: Best way to protect a 3-year-old gardenia from winter? If I wrap in burlap until spring, would it help? Generally, gardenias dont need protection unless temperatures go into the teens overnight. Some varieties are har
Growing Rugosa Roses in Georgia: Best in Northern Half, Once-Blooming but Disease-Free
Q: On vacation in Maine we loved beach roses. They smelled beautiful. Would they grow here? Ill bet you saw rugosa roses. Leaves have characteristic corrugated surface. Theyd be happy anywhere in northern Georgia. Rarely
Rosemary Winter Hardiness: No Need to Bring This Herb Indoors in Georgia
Q: I have two young rosemary bushes outdoors. Should I pot them and bring inside for winter? No need to bring rosemary indoors. Its one of the hardiest herbs. Ive had outdoor success with oregano and thyme too—they came
Daffodil Planting Depth in Heavy Soil: Why Two Inches Is Enough in Georgia
Q: My daffodil bag label recommends 8 inches deep. I think thats too deep. Your preference? In typical heavy Georgia soil, planting so the top is buried under a couple inches works fine. If we had more severe winters, de
Pruning Indeterminate Tomatoes: Pinching for Manageable Height and Better Fruit Protection
Q: Can you cut off the top of tomato plants when too tall? I had Better Boys at 12 feet! Good practice to prune tomato vines before they get too tall. Two types: determinate tomatoes grow to a predetermined size and prod
The Oak Leaves on a Navy Captain's Hat: Symbolism of Live Oak in U.S. Shipbuilding History
Q: A U.S. Navy captains hat has gold oak leaves on the bill. What kind of oak leaves? I think the oak leaves for Navy insignia are stylized live oak (Quercus virginiana) leaves. Live oak was invaluable in U.S. warship co
Controlling Invasive Water Lilies in a Private Pond: Why Professional Help Is Needed
Q: I read your article about water lilies being invasive. Suggestions for getting rid of them in a 1-acre private pond? Very difficult to control pond weeds yourself. Different mechanical methods and chemicals needed for
Why You Should Bare-Root Container Trees Before Planting: Preventing Circling Root Syndrome
Q: You said on radio to shake off dirt from potted trees/shrubs before planting so roots can be untangled. I planted three 5-gallon oaks without doing that. Should I dig them up? I know its a pain but I think youll be be
The Myths and Dangers of Burning Dormant Bermuda Grass
Q: What is the advantage, if any, to burning a Bermuda grass lawn when dormant? You might get an unanticipated conversation with your insurance person—not pleasant. My father was an insurance agent for 35 years. He had c
Q: I bought a Bartlett pear at a nursery. Research shows its not recommended for Georgia. Why? Bartlett isnt recommended because it gets fire blight so readily. Fire blight is uncurable. Only homeowner treatment: prune o
Growing Chia for Seeds in Georgia: Challenges and Emerging Varieties
Q: Can we grow chia in Georgia? I like to sprinkle seeds on cereal. I have fond college memories of growing chia on a clay Nixon figure—scraggly green beard, not much hair! Chia (Salvia hispanica) needs a long season to
Aphids on Christmas Trees: Why They Appear Indoors and Safe Removal Methods
Q: We have bugs coming from our Christmas tree. They crawl onto floor and die. Any way to stop them? They are probably aphids. Christmas tree growers control insects in summer but dont apply insecticides near harvest. Th
Identifying Reblooming White Iris Varieties: 'Winter Wonderland', 'Clouds Adrift', 'Skating Party'
Q: My mother has a white iris that bloomed in spring and again in September and December! What variety? Mark Franklin, iris expert at MP Flowers (Birmingham Hwy., Alpharetta), says it could be Winter Wonderland, Clouds A
Camellia Bud Drop from Overproduction: Thinning Buds for Better Blooms
Q: My camellia bush has been full of buds in fall for 2 years but none open. They all fall off. What can I do? An hour after you called, listener Kip said an older colleague at Pike Nursery taught him to watch for overlo
Winter Care for Common Hydrangeas in Atlanta: When to Cover and Which Varieties Rebloom
Q: I have a pair of 4-year-old common hydrangeas. How to overwinter? Need to cover to protect next years blooms from frost and hard freeze? Generally not necessary in Atlanta to do anything special. Gene Griffith, co-own
Spring Bulbs Sprouting Early: Divide, Fertilize, and Don't Panic
Q: We have bulbs sprouting—foliage 2 inches high. Too late to divide and replant? You can accomplish two things: divide and fertilize. Warm fall caused early sprouts. As long as foliage is small, roots havent grown much,
Overwintering Ginger Lily Rhizomes Indoors: Managing Early Sprouts in Cold Climates
Q: In September I cut back ginger lilies, dug rhizomes, sent to friend in Massachusetts. He potted them indoors. Theyre now growing leaves. Cut back or let grow? Ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium55°F. Then plant each in
Transplanting Red Cedar Saplings: Best Practices for Moving Small Native Evergreens
Q: We have 15 red cedar saplings ~1 ft tall in shade. Wed like to relocate to full sun. Can they be transplanted? Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a native evergreen seen under fence lines where birds deposit seeds. Th
Winter Mowing of Dormant Bermuda: Cleanup Benefits and Compaction Risks
Q: Will it damage my bermuda lawn if I mow when brown? I just want to clean up a little. Mowing high once or twice in winter cleans leaves and cuts winter weeds. Avoid repeating the same mowing pattern. Winter soil is of
Why Some Hollies Lack Berries: Pollination Failure Due to Weather or Missing Pollinators
Q: All hollies I see have no berries this year. What event caused this? I checked my hollies—Nellie, Savannah, Foster, Burford—all reported copious berries. Posted on Georgia Gardener Facebook; widely varying observation
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