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Q. I have some questions about a 'Rose of Sharon' bush I have, which
was damaged in the ice storm that we had last winter. I was wondering
when would be a good time to trim it, how far back should it be trimmed
and how often. Thank you ever so much. -- Barbara Huse
A. Since plants bloom on new growth, shaping or pruning can be done at
any time. Pruning in late winter or early spring is a typical practice
in Indiana. Rose of Sharon is e asily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained
soil in full sun to part shade. It will flower best in full sun. It prefers
moist, organically rich soils, but tolerates poor soils and some drought,
and is tolerant of summer heat and humidity. You can get large flowers
by pruning back hard to two to three buds in early spring. It can also
be pruned into a small single-trunk tree form or espaliered!
Q. You previously mentioned using green organic mulch in your column.
Anytime you use a green mulch with a high-moisture content, such as fresh
lawn clippings (if used around living plants in any appreciable thickness
-- say an inch or more deep), be sure to keep a space of mulch-free, open
air clear around each plant to avoid "burning" the living plant
stems. All fresh green mulches will go through a period of really "hot"
natural heating as the mulch starts to decay and deteriorate . If such
mulch is snug up against the living stems, it will burn a black "collar"
clear around the stems . It's disastrous.
Maybe it has never happened to you, but it sure has to me, and through
that one experience I will never forget it! Many years ago, just before
our family left for a two-week vacation or so, I placed fresh lawn clippings
close around all our geraniums to "hold" the weeds and retain
moisture while we were gone. When we returned, I couldn't help but notice
how sick-unto-death they all looked . Pulling the mulch away, I could
see a three-fourths inch thick or so burned black band clear around each
stem. I had killed them all! Lesson learned! -- William P. Martin, Lafayette
, Ind.
A. Plants can indeed be damaged by thick layers of grass clippings. Take
particular care with green, herbaceous stems, which are more tender than
a woody tree trunk.
Generally, all mulches should be kept away from the stems themselves.
Even “dry” mulches, such as shredded hardwood bark or dried
pine needles, should not be piled around trunks or stems. They provide
shelter for rodents during the winter and increase the likelihood of rodent
damage to the plants.
Q. These beautiful flowers (photo enclosed) grow along ditch banks. They
bloom in mid-August usually. Could you tell us what they are called? --
Austin and Lora Bapple , Wheatfield , Ind.
A. They appear to be cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis ). Cardinal
flowers bloom in late summer in low, moist areas, including ditches, stream
banks and marshes. These native intense, red spires attract ruby-throated
hummingbirds.
Cardinal flowers can be grown in full sun or very light shade but grow
best in filtered light. Mulch to keep the roots moist. This tends to be
a short-lived perennial but will self-seed, so don't deadhead the spent
blossoms.
In my opinion, the perennial world is heavily weighted toward yellow flowers,
and there are far too few reds. Cardinal flower is a great addition to
the garden if you have the right conditions.
Q. Three years ago, I planted a Harry Lauder's Walking Stick. This year,
all the new growth has been straight. What can I do? -- Yvonne Hock, Madison
, Ind.
A. Suckers will often appear from the base of the plant, and it's good
to prune these out. The straight-stemmed pieces are more vigorous than
the contorted one and can overwhelm the plant. Since you're growing it
for it's unique, twisted stems, you'll want to avoid allowing the straight
stems to gain a foothold.
Interestingly, Lauder was one of Britain 's most celebrated music hall
comics/singers in the early 20th century and is still Scotland 's highest-selling
recording artist of all time. His stage presence relied on his kilt and
curly walking stick, for which the plant is named.
10-6-05
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