Transplanting a Mature Rose of Sharon: Timing and Technique

Hello Susan, Moving a 16-year-old Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a major undertaking—the larger the shrub, the more roots youll lose and the higher the transplant shock. Before scheduling, I need to know its curre

Fixing Yellow, Spotty Gardenia Leaves: Soil pH and Care Tips

Hello Jimmy, Gardenia yellowing with brown spots usually signals alkaline soil—gardenias demand acidic conditions (pH 5.0–6.0). In central Alabama, your soil may be naturally high in lime. In-ground plants: Apply element

Rescuing Snow-Bent Arborvitae: Staking and Straightening Techniques

Hello Walter, Arborvitae that are leaning after heavy snow rarely straighten on their own. If theyre under 6 ft tall and leaning less than 30°, you can often pull them upright and secure them with an H-stake system: Dri

Fast-Growing Evergreen Screen: Techny Arborvitae for Zone 9 Clay

Hello sb, For a dense, ground-to-tip evergreen screen in Zone 9 clay soil, Thuja occidentalis Techny (Techny Arborvitae) is an excellent choice. It naturally reaches 15 ft wide and 30 ft tall, but yearly pruning keeps it

Juniper Roots and House Foundations: Why 18 Inches Is Too Close

Hello Margaret, I strongly advise against planting a juniper only 18 inches from a brick house wall. Junipers develop extensive lateral roots that also penetrate deeply, making them a real risk to foundations, drainage p

Non-Invasive Screening Plants for a Courtyard: Shrubs Over Trees

Hello Bev, Because most trees—except conifers—dont retain foliage all the way to the ground, a tall evergreen shrub hedge often makes a better, lower-maintenance screen than a tree row. Shrubs also tend to have less aggr

Identifying a Mystery Shrub: Could It Be a Female Juniper?

Hello Diana, Identifying a plant from a written description alone is always challenging, but based on your details—needle-like foliage reminiscent of a fir, red summer flowers resembling raspberries, and a mature size ar

Saving a Waterlogged Red Robin (Photinia) After Transplanting

When Wet Soil Dooms a Transplanted Shrub A mature Red Robin (Photinia × fraseri) moved into a winter-waterlogged area likely suffered root rot during dormancy. Symptoms—wilting, browning leaves—appeared in spring when th

Removing Unwanted Tree Saplings from a Privet Hedge

Eliminating Maple and Oak Volunteers in a Hedge Row Tree seedlings (maple, oak) rooting within a privet hedge are tough to pull once established. Herbicides like glyphosate often fail because the waxy leaves and proximit

Keeping a Beagle Out of Hibiscus Shrubs

Dog-Proofing Your Garden Beds An 8-month-old beagle digging around hibiscus roots is a common challenge. Scent-based repellents exist but vary in effectiveness. A more reliable solution is physical exclusion. Barrier Str

Pruning Globe Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'Globosa')

How and When to Shape a Globe Blue Spruce Globe blue spruce benefits from light pruning to maintain its compact, rounded form. The best time is late spring to early summer, after the new growth (candles) has elongated bu

Diagnosing Black Spot on Shamrock Inkberry (Ilex glabra)

Fungal Leaf Spot on Inkberry Holly Black spots and yellowing leaves on newly planted Shamrock inkberries typically indicate fungal leaf spot. Tiny raised fruiting bodies on the spots confirm a fungal origin; their absenc

Planting Tea Olive (Osmanthus) in Georgia: Timing, Size, and Care for Fragrant Success

Youre in Atlanta, want to plant tea olive shrubs. Full sun, average soil, irrigation available. When to plant? What container size? Heres the complete guide. Best Planting Windows Late April – Late May (spring root e

Lawn Weed Killer Sprayed on Flowers and Shrubs: Emergency Damage Control

You sprayed lawn weed killer (likely systemic 2,4-D blend) on your nieces flower beds and shrubs — including a lilac — on April 28. Everything is wilting. You soaked the soil. Now what? The Brutal Truth Systemic herbici

Neighbor Digging Near Your Evergreen Shrub? Here's What to Watch For

Your 8–10-year-old evergreen (likely a conifer) sits on the property line. Neighbor planted two new shrubs (Apovades — possibly Abelia or Osmanthus?) nearby, replacing a 25-year-old tree. Could digging hurt your shrub?

Evergreen Privacy Hedge for Zone 5/6: Deer-Resistant, Clay Soil, Sun/Shade Mix

New house in NE Pennsylvania (Zone 5/6, 2000 ft elevation). Need 50 ft of year-round privacy. Rocky clay soil. Sun and shade. Deer pressure. Informal, low maintenance. 6–7 ft tall, 4–5 ft wide. Fast growth a plus. Consid

Honeysuckle Runners Taking Over? Here's Why — And How to Contain Them

Your bush honeysuckle sends runners 4 feet out. Honeybush honeysuckle does the same. Youre pulling them endlessly. Can you spray? No — herbicide will kill the mother plant. Heres the reality of honeysuckles running habit

Transplanting Azaleas in Bloom? Wait — Or Move Now With Extra Care

Your azaleas are blooming but must be moved. Can you transplant now? Only if absolutely necessary. Best practice: wait until fall. But if you cant wait, heres how to minimize shock. If You Must Move Them Now (Spring, In

Pyracantha Hedge Not Blooming? Blame the Weather — And Prune in Summer

Your Kasan pyracantha hedge in Central Alabama bloomed beautifully the first spring after planting (fall 2008). This year: almost no flowers. Lots of rain, lots of sun, vigorous growth — but no blooms. You sprayed neem o

Crape Myrtle Roots Too Deep? Shallow-Rooted Shrub Alternatives for Your Yard

You want a crape myrtle but need shallow roots — maybe near a septic, foundation, or utilities. Bad news: crape myrtle has medium to deep roots. Good news: several beautiful shrubs have naturally shallow, non-invasive ro