Step-by-Step Geranium Cuttings for Winter Propagation

Use sterile tools and pots (bleach-washed). Take 4-5 tip cuttings just below a leaf node. Strip all but top 3-5 leaves. Let callus 3-7 days on newspaper (cut end shrivels — this prevents blackleg). Dip in rooting hormone

Pruning Dormant Verbena in North Carolina

Cut back perennial verbena to 8-10 in late winter. If hard frost killed stems to the ground, cut to 3. This renews growth and simplifies weeding. Verbena returns reliably in spring after pruning.

Transplanting Peonies: Timing and Technique

Peonies hate disturbance. Move in very early spring at first sprout. Dig widely to preserve tuberous roots (like small sweet potatoes). Prepare new hole, fill with water, let soak. Plant at same depth — dont break sprout

Treating Soilborne Fungus Killing Pelargoniums and Other Plants

Rapid stem browning spreading to roots across multiple species = soilborne fungus. Hard to cure. Spray copper-based fungicide (Soap-Shield from Gardens Alive). But first, take a 6 stem section and 8 oz soil sample to a n

Finding Sweet Violets for Cut Flowers

Sweet violets (Viola odorata) are perennials, 10 tall, spring-blooming (May-June), with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant blue, purple, or white flowers. They prefer shade and self-sow gently. Find plants at garden center

Drainage Solutions for Pots Without Holes

Drainage holes are essential. If your metal window box lacks them, drill small holes with sharp bits to avoid cracking enamel. Alternatively, use a water meter to monitor moisture, water deeply but infrequently, and spac

Fertilizing Mature Camellias in Santa Monica

Dusty, brown-tinged leaves on camellias indicate iron and phosphorus deficiency. Use a high-phosphorus, low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-20-10 NPK) with iron — Miracle-Gro or Peters water-soluble. Apply every 10 days starting

Petunias vs. Surfinias: Trailing vs. Upright Types

Surfinia (Suntory, Japan) and Wave (Kirin, Japan) are vegetatively propagated trailing petunias for baskets and groundcover. Supertunia (Proven Winners) is similar. Upright petunias are different hybrids — they grow 18-2

Insecticidal Soap: What It Is and How to Use It

Insecticidal soap is pure potassium fatty acid — buy it, dont make it. Dish soap contains degreasers and abrasives that harm plants. Spray on cloudy days or early/late to avoid leaf burn. It kills soft-bodied insects (ap

Persian Shield Winter Leaf Drop Is Normal

Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyeranus) drops leaves and goes dormant in winter, even in North Florida (zone 9). Its hardy to zone 9 but acts like a herbaceous perennial — dies back, returns in spring. North of zone 9, b

Damping Off in Celosia and Kingfisher Daisy Seedlings

Thinning, wilting, shriveling seedlings in constantly wet trays = damping off, a fungal disease. Watering every 4-6 hours is far too frequent. Keep soil damp but not wet. Add a fan for airflow. Discard infected cells. Us

Why Sweet Broom (Genista) Dies in Zone 7

Genista racemosa (sweet broom) is hardy only to zone 8b — your zone 7 is too cold, especially in exposed spots. It needs dry, well-drained, low-nutrient, neutral-pH soil and hates wet roots. Fragile roots resent transpla

Growing Lychnis 'Maltese Cross' (Perennial)

Lychnis chalcedonica Maltese Cross is a tough, long-lived perennial. Plant spring or fall (even mid-summer works). It wants full sun, well-drained soil with healthy microbes — avoid chemical fertilizers; use compost, age

Amaryllis Dormancy and Rebloom Cycle

After bloom, give amaryllis full sun and copious water — leaves build next years flowers. Dont cut leaves. As they yellow, stop watering and let them shrivel. Move pot to a dark, cool (not cold), dry spot. Wait months un

Growing Bromeliads Outdoors in Summer

Bromeliads tolerate outdoor summer temps above freezing. Plant in shade during hottest hours. In southern states, watch for weevils. In frost zones, sink pots into soil for summer, lift and bring indoors for winter. Keep

Is Verbena Hybrid Poisonous?

Verbena hybrida is toxic if eaten but safe to handle. Many garden plants (tomato leaves, rhubarb leaves) are poisonous if ingested — the risk is only from consumption. With toddlers, supervise garden time and teach not t

Low-Bug Border Shrubs for South Carolina Red Clay

For a patio border in the Piedmont: shady spots — Skimmia (evergreen, clay-tolerant), low azaleas (spring bloom, fewer bees), Hakonechloa grass (18, yellow or green). Sunny spots — Emerald Gaiety euonymus (variegated), f

Amending Red Clay Soil for Gerbera Daisies

Mix 1 part sand to 3 parts potting soil for drainage. Add lime per package directions to balance pH. Gerberas need excellent drainage — clay alone will rot their roots.

Diagnosing Autumn Blaze Maple Decline After Mulching

Two likely causes: mulch piled too high (girdling trunk, blocking oxygen/water, rotting bark) or diseased mulch. Mulch should be 1-2 inches above soil, never against trunk. If only this tree died among 6 cubic yards of m

Best Annuals for Shade Beds

Top shade annuals: impatiens (classic, all summer color, cheap six-packs; rosebud and Fusion series for fancy colors), begonias (tuberous for big flowers, angel wing for foliage and blooms, rex for dramatic leaves), cole