Question
QUESTION: Hi Nick,

I live in zone 10. I have just spent a couple of weeks planting about 70 plants
all around my moms home.  I did not do anything to the soil, was told after 2
weeks to just fertilize.  I go out early am and PM to give them all a good
watering and pray they don't die.  I love gardening and it's been over 20yrs
since I last had fun in the garden. Do you have any advice for me to keep
them in great shape.  As you know in FL we have sun sun sun. The plants
facing North have no problems. Seems the South side is very hot and the West  
wilts badly during the day.  

Thanks for your help.
Paula

ANSWER: Hi Paula, ok, I need to really know the type of plants you put in, some can't handle the afternoon Florida sun this time of the year, while others require it for optimum growing; Did you put in perennials? annuals? shrubbery? let me know:)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: East: Roses, Juniper & Lantana
South: Oleander, Star & Night Blooming Jasmine, Cherries Jubille, Bleeding
Heart, Blue Plumbago and Ujeania (spelling?) Hedge.
West: Ujeania Hedges, Star Jasmine, Oleander,
North: Star Jasmine, Bougainvillea, Bird of Paradise, Oleander, Yellow
Mandevilla & tall purple bell shaped flowers that bloom all day, fall off @
night and more are there in the morning. They seem to have long fine green/
silver leaves.  I am trying to find the name to no avail.

All my plants are perennials.

Thanks,
Paula


Answer
Hi again! ok. the purple flower is a Mexican Petunia, they will multiply to beat the band if you don't keep them under control (thats a good thing!). All the plants you mentioned are excellent picks! Kudos to you Paula! A few suggestions, don't give the Boug a lot of water or you will not get too much color, they like to be water stressed, and it brings out more of those beautiful bracts; Watch the Oleander for the oleander caterpillar, they will strip it in a matter of days if you don't catch them early; The Jasmine are totally user friendly, no worries about them at all; The Plumbago is also easy, just watch it for insect pests; The Mandevilla needs a trellis; the Bird of Paradise needs lots of fertilizer and the others are easy also, just make sure they get ample irrigation. There you have it Paula, any problems, you know how to get a hold of me...good luck and happy gardening..Nick