How to Take Semi-Ripe Cuttings of Photinia 'Red Robin' in Summer

Propagate Red Robin from July/August Cuttings — High Success with Simple Steps Photinia × fraseri Red Robin roots readily from semi-ripe cuttings taken in mid- to late summer. Materials Sharp, clean secateurs Two 4-inch

Pia Hydrangea in Dappled Shade: When to Move, How to Water

Hydrangea Pia Getting 6 Hours of Morning Sun — Is It Too Much? Three Pia hydrangeas planted on a south-facing Maryland site receive sun from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, filtered by two large sugar maples. They look tired but not

Removing Dead Bush Roots from a Granite Monument: Proceed with Caution

Roots May Be Holding the Monument Upright — Get Professional Assessment First An old bush stumps roots remain embedded in a granite cemetery monument. Saltpeter failed to dissolve them. Drilling or chemical removal risks

Hemlock Hedge Damaged by Hard Pruning: No Quick Fix, Only Patience

Tsuga (Hemlock) Does Not Tolerate Hard Pruning — Cut Into Old Wood and Its Gone A Connecticut hemlock hedge was trimmed hard on one side last summer. Now that side is sparse and dying. The trimmer likely used a saw, cutt

Controlling Wild Wisteria Without Chemicals: Smothering Is the Best Non-Toxic Option

2,000 Sq Ft of Wild Wisteria? Cut, Cover, and Wait — Or Accept Herbicide A large infestation of non-blooming wild wisteria spreads toward cultivated beds and an outbuilding. Weed-whacking stimulates growth. Digging risks

Golden Biota and Deer: Protection Needed for Young Plants

Deer Will Browse Golden Biota — Fence Young Plants for First Year Thuja orientalis Aurea Nana (Golden Biota) is an arborvitae relative. Despite some claims of deer resistance, deer readily eat arborvitae — and this culti

Over-Pruned Blue Spruce: Why Cutting Into Old Wood Causes Permanent Damage

Globe Blue Spruce Wont Regrow From Bare Stems — Prune Only New Growth A 15-year-old, 5-foot blue spruce on Long Island shows new growth on only one-third of its branches after aggressive pruning. The owner cut into woody

Overwatered Potted Boxwood Topiary: Diagnosis and Recovery Steps

Yellow, Brittle Boxwood? Likely Root Rot from Excess Water A 2-year-old potted boxwood topiary declined after a week of excessive watering by a caretaker. Symptoms — yellowing, brittleness — point to waterlogged roots an

Can Crotons Grow Outdoors in South Carolina? Only as Seasonal Container Plants

Crotons Are Cold-Sensitive — Treat Them as Summer Patio Plants in SC Codiaeum variegatum (croton) dislikes temperature swings and is damaged by frost. In South Carolinas variable winters, they cannot survive outdoors yea

Reshaping Olive Stumps into Attractive, Functional Bushes

From 25-Foot Trees to 5-Foot Stumps: Pruning for Shape and Sidewalk Clearance After insurance-mandated removal of two large olive trees, the remaining 5-foot stumps have sprouted dense, full bushes encroaching on the sid

Why You Can't Divide Euonymus 'Emerald Gaiety' — And What to Do Instead

Euonymus Is a Shrub, Not a Perennial — Division Isnt an Option Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety is a woody shrub. Unlike clump-forming perennials, it cannot be divided. Attempting to split the root ball will likely kill

Reviving a Neglected Hedge: A Multi-Year Renovation Plan

Bringing an Overgrown, Bare-Bottomed Hedge Back to Life A 10-foot hedge in Winnipeg shows dieback near the house but looks decent farther out. The cause? Neglect, not death. Grass growing into the hedge base competes for

Planting Zebra Grass: Remove Lawn Grass First for Best Results

Give Zebra Grass a Clean Start — Dont Just Turn Over the Sod When planting Miscanthus sinensis Zebrinus (zebra grass), remove existing lawn grass from the planting area rather than tilling it under. Heres why and how. Wh

Deadheading Azaleas and Hydrangeas: Techniques for Healthier Blooms

What Is Deadheading and How to Do It Right Deadheading — removing spent flowers — redirects energy from seed production to growth and future blooms. But timing and technique differ by plant. Azaleas Wait until petals fa

Hibiscus Care Guide: Sun, Soil, Water, and Pruning

Growing Healthy, Flowering Hibiscus Outdoors Hibiscus thrives with minimal fuss when given the right conditions. Follow these essentials for vigorous growth and abundant blooms. Site and Soil Full sun — at least 6 hours

Repairing a Split Azalea Branch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Can a Split Azalea Branch Be Saved? Yes — With Patience and the Right Technique A young azalea split at a Y-junction during winter. The branch was tied with landscape fabric and survived, but a more reliable method exist

Saving a Black Chokeberry from Powdery Mildew and Treatment Damage

Rescuing Aronia After Powdery Mildew and Hydrogen Peroxide Burn A black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) in Northern New Jersey developed powdery mildew during a hot, humid spell. An organic fungicide was ordered, but bef

Planting Cotoneaster Cornubia Near Walls and Drains: Root Concerns Addressed

Can Cotoneaster Cornubia Safely Screen a Wall Without Damaging Foundations or Pipes? When planning to plant Cotoneaster Cornubia as a screen one meter from a wall and a sewer manhole, the primary concern is root invasive

Troubleshooting Newly Planted Otto Luyken Laurel in May

Four Otto Luyken laurels planted May; second one turning brown, dropping leaves, dying. Unknown cause. Expert Questions to Narrow Down Weather: very hot or unseasonably wet? Sun: full or partial shade? Insect evidence?

Planting Privet Hedge Replacements on Long Island (Zone 6)

Long Island, NY (zone 6), ½ mile from Sound. Hot, dry summer. Lost several privets. When to plant replacements? Spacing? Nursery plants ~2 ft tall. Planting Window Container-grown = ANY time ground not frozen. Better: