Why Limelight Hydrangea Leaves Yellow Before Blooming

A gardener reports that three Limelight hydrangeas look beautiful until just before blooming, when leaves turn yellow and drop. This has happened for three consecutive years. The likely cause: nutrient deficiency in shal

Rooting Manhattan Euonymus Cuttings for a Hedge

A gardener brought numerous Manhattan euonymus cuttings from New Jersey to Virginia in early July. They’ve been in water for 11 days and show no decline. The question: do they need a root propagator before potting, and w

Troubleshooting Peking Cotoneaster Hedge Problems

A gardener in Montreal planted a row of Peking cotoneaster for a hedge in May. By early July, leaves were turning yellow and red despite regular watering and mulching. The site receives about six hours of sun, but the so

Planting Butterfly Bushes: Timing and Care

Butterfly bushes (Buddleia) are vigorous, fast-growing shrubs that attract pollinators with their fragrant flower spikes. A gardener asked whether to plant them in fall or wait until spring. The answer: you can plant the

Can Arborvitae Thrive in Shade?

Arborvitae (often misspelled as arborvities) are popular evergreen conifers that can reach heights of 20 feet or more. A common question is whether they can survive in the shade beneath larger trees. While arborvitae pre

Sweet Broom Not Blooming After Two Years: Fertilizer and Mulch Fix

Why No Flowers? Sweet broom (Cytisus) blooms on new growth. If plants are green but flowerless after two years, they likely need nutrient boost and weed-free root zone. Action Plan Apply balanced granular fertilizer no

Privacy Screening: 6–10 ft Evergreens That Need No Annual Trimming

Want privacy plants 6–10 ft tall, no yearly trimming. Considered arborvitae but unsure about maintenance. Suggestions? Arborvitae Caveat Many grow 20–70 ft. Dwarf cultivars (3 ft) need shearing. Choose variety carefully

Mulch vs. Grass Around New Shrubs: Remove the Grass

Chicago area. Husband wants to remove grass 2 ft around new shrubs for mulch. I heard leave grass, mulch lightly. Whos right? Husband Wins Grass competes fiercely for water/nutrients and is hard to trim around shrubs wi

Althea (Rose of Sharon) Double Blooms: Colors & Mystery Double/Single Mix

What colors do double-blooming Altheas come in? I have purple/red singles, plus a white with red center that produces BOTH single and double white flowers. Is this common? Cross-pollination? Known Double Varieties Crow

Moving Young Crape Myrtle Off Septic Lines: Fall Is Best

Planted Raspberry crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) last month—blooming well. But its on septic lines. Can I move it? When? Yes—Fall Dormancy Is Ideal Deciduous shrubs transplant best when leafless (late fall–early sp

Oleander Not Blooming After Aphid Attack: Patience & Feeding

Oleander healthy, green, but only 2 blooms all summer. Had aphids 6 wks ago; sprayed + systemic granules. No blooms even before aphids. Super Bloom fertilizer 2×. Why? Aphids Likely Destroyed Flower Buds Early Aphids ta

Diagnosing "Cloud-Pruned" Conifer with Black Coating & Bees

Pine-like shrub shaped into balls has blackened branches attracting bees. One ball dead, others declining. Fungus? Cause/solution? Need Photos for Accurate ID Description suggests a cloud-pruned conifer (possibly pine,

Butterfly Bush Yellow Lower Leaves: Usually Normal

Butterfly bush (Buddleia) has yellow leaves at bottom. NY state, in ground, no leaf damage. Problem? Likely Natural Aging Buddleias are deciduous, fast-growing, and self-cleaning. Lower leaves yellow and drop as canopy

Laurel Hedge Brown After July Pruning: Wrong Timing

Laurel hedge pruned in July; leaves now curling/browning. Help? Pruned at Worst Possible Time Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) grows actively in summer. July pruning causes sap bleeding → loss of energy reserves → leaf scor

Techny Arborvitae Mature Width: Plan Your Spacing

8 Techny arborvitae, 6 ft tall, 6 ft apart in partial shade. How wide at maturity? Internet says 4–15 ft. Mature Size: 10–15 ft Wide, 15+ ft Tall Techny (Thuja occidentalis Techny) reaches 12–15 ft wide at maturity (10+

Limelight Hydrangea Yellow Leaves: You're Overwatering

Limelight hydrangea (planted 6/18/09) flowering but leaves yellowing. Watered daily + new fescue sod. Cause? Overwatering = Root Suffocation Hydrangeas need moist, well-drained soil. Daily watering + sod irrigation = wa

Protecting Young Forsythias from Deer: Fencing Is Essential

Deer are eating my 2nd-year forsythias. Will they survive? Should I fence? Deer Will Kill Them Repeated browsing on young shrubs = stunted growth or death. Forsythias vigor helps, but not at this stage. Best Protection

Planting Crepe Myrtles in Clay: Timing, Technique & Reddest Variety

When to plant crepe myrtles? Tolerate clay? Which is redder: Dynamite or Red Rocket? Best Planting Time: Fall Warm soil + cool air = root establishment before winter. Container plants can go in anytime except deep winte

Crepe Myrtle Not Blooming in Year 2: Needs Potassium

Red Dynamite crepe myrtle (planted last spring) bloomed year 1, not year 2. Healthy, full sun, plenty of rain, no pruning, only starter fertilizer. Why? Likely Nutrient Imbalance Starter fertilizer was likely high nitro

Variegated Pieris Struggling: Check Soil pH First

My variegated Pieris (planted 5/17/09) gets morning + late afternoon sun. Watered diligently but declining. Whats wrong? Pieris Demands Acid Soil Non-negotiable: pH 4.5–6.0. Alkaline soil (lime) causes yellowing, stunti