Winter-Damaged Holly: Will Leaves Regrow?

Holly evergreen has winter-damaged leaves. Will they grow back? How to keep plant alive? Expert Coach Dave Plan Winter blight usually temporary. Trim damaged parts. If stem rot visible: Apply fungicide to stems/root ar

Transplanting Lilacs in Prince George, BC with -5°C Nights

Prince George, BC (zone 3–7) gardener has lilacs with leaf buds at -5°C nights. Must move to new house. Move now or wait for leaf-out? Urgent Advice Move ASAP to garage or sunny indoor spot. Dig large root ball to pres

Fixing Leaning Skyrocket Juniper After Ice/Snow Damage

Skyrocket juniper leaning from heavy ice/snow. What to do? Honest Answer Prevention only: Cover with burlap/plastic before snow. After damage: Wait for thaw, then dig and straighten (no easy fix). No simple remedy ex

Saving a Dying Laurel Hedge Planted Near a Yew Tree

40-meter laurel hedge planted Oct 2010 in clay soil dying fast. Advice: yew tree stealing water, cut laurels in half, feed chicken dung, water 4 hrs/week. Will this work? Expert Coach Dave Analysis Laurel roots are har

Rescuing Transplanted Althea (Rose of Sharon) with Wilted Leaves

8-ft Althea transplanted 2 weeks ago; leaves wilting. Want to prevent shock. Likely Causes Many feeder roots damaged during transplant. Fungus attacking roots from overwatering. Stepwise Fix Apply fungicide with nex

Diagnosing Fire Blight and Powdery Mildew in 20-Year-Old Spirea

Two 20+ year spireas: one had back half die last year; now both have dead spots. Owner trimmed dead, now both look like bad haircuts. Cause and cure? Primary Suspect: Fire Blight Bacterial disease spread by insects/rai

Red Dogwood Leaf Browning in NE Alabama: Likely Anthracnose or Blight

Recently planted red dogwood in NE Alabama shows browning leaves. Fungus or disease? Prevention? Probable Causes Dogwood anthracnose (fungal blight): leaf/twig blight, twig dieback, leaf browning. Discula destructiva (

Diagnosing Gold/Yellow Color in Unknown Foundation Shrubs (IL Zone 5)

New homeowner in IL zone 5 has familiar foundation shrubs (unknown type). One turned goldish with little green this spring; others OK. Likely Causes (General) Nutrient deficiency: manganese, iron, or nitrogen. Fix: slo

Holly Bush Covered in Yellow "Flowers" in May: It's Pollen!

6-year-old holly bush suddenly covered in yellowish flowers in May—never seen before. Owner fears disease/dying. Second bush showing same. Good News Those flowers are male pollen catkins. It means your holly is healthy,

Fixing Yellowing, Sparse Shamrock Holly (Ilex glabra) in Alkaline Soil

Row of 2-year-old shamrock hollies 3 ft from house, north-facing with afternoon sun. Sparse, yellow leaves, no berries. Only fed Miracle-Gro a few times. Diagnosis Chlorosis (yellowing) from alkaline soil → nutrient de

Diagnosing Sudden Decline in 15-Year-Old Euonymus

Large euonymus (15+ ft, 15+ years) suddenly half-dead this spring: bare branches, stunted leaves, red stems falling. No insects, trunk damage, or visible scale. Photos show diseased foliage. Expert Coach Dave Assessment

Planting Rose of Sharon Near Shallow Buried Utility Line

Utah (zone 6) gardener has buried line at 20″ depth, wants Rose of Sharon nearby in shady spot against house. Needs 12-ft flowering shrub, fragrant preferred. Expert Warning 20″ deep AND spreading. Risk to line (likely

Pruning Pussy Willow (Salix) in SE Pennsylvania

SE PA gardener has Chinese and regular pussy willow. Asks when and how hard to prune. Standard Shrub/Tree Types (Not Grown for Winter Stems) When: Late winter / early spring. What: Remove crossed, wayward, dead stems t

Propagating Burning Bush and Glossy Abelia from Cuttings

Gardener wants to propagate burning bush (Euonymus alatus) and glossy abelia (Abelia × grandiflora) from clippings for property line. Asks method, timing, and starting in garden vs. pots. Best Method: Softwood Cuttings

Mountain Laurel with Broken Stem: Stabilization Usually Fails

Follow-up on mountain laurel with broken stem. Gardener asks about bolting/strapping base. Expert Opinion Dont bother. Trying to stabilize a broken woody stem usually fails because: Disease entry at break point is near

Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge for Zone 9 North Florida (No Berries, Holly, Bamboo)

North Florida (zone 8/9 border) homeowner needs fast, inexpensive hedge for noise/privacy near street. No berries, holly, bamboo. Maintenance not an issue. Creative Alternative: Native Trees as Hedge Buy 3-ft saplings

Transplanting 14-Year-Old Burning Bushes in Ohio: Better to Replace

Toledo, Ohio gardener has seven 14-year-old burning bushes to relocate. Mild winter this year. Asks feasibility, timing, technique. Expert Advice Dont do it. At 14 years, theyre large. Root spread = canopy spread. Movin

Taking Privet Cuttings in the UK: August Semi-Ripe Method

UK gardener asks when and how to take privet cuttings. Best Time: August Use semi-ripe shoots (this years growth): bend with slight resistance. Too easy = unripe; woody = overripe. Step-by-Step Cuttings: 3 inches, kee

Transplanting 75- to 85-Year-Old Bridal Wreath Spirea: Worth the Effort?

Iowa gardener considers moving ancient spireas (75–85 years old). Asks lifespan and if transplant is worthwhile. Expert View Lifespan unknown—depends on climate, care. Usually decline slowly; hard pruning sometimes rev

Pruning Large Rhododendrons to Restore Window Views

New homeowner with three 6-ft rhododendrons blocking windows. Wants to cut back 2 ft. Best time and method? Recommendation Timing: September (after bloom, before winter). Method: Cut back ~half the reduction with