ArcaMax

This was a leap year for several of my Luminary tall garden phlox in more ways than one, as I’ll explain shortly.

For those newbies to the world of perennials, we always explain that in year one, they sleep. This means they are there and will bloom, but they are getting those roots established. Year two they creep, meaning they put on some ...Read more

Q: The leaves on my newly planted oak tree have numerous holes, and the edges of the leaf are missing. I do not see any insects, but I am worried about the tree. Most of the tree is like this.

A: Oaks are pretty tolerant of many insect pests. Holes in the leaf can be caused by insects or by diseases such as anthracnose that kill areas of the ...Read more

Logic would tell you that if you put the magic in pink lemonade, you can do it to grapefruit too. That’s just what happened, and the horticultural blogosphere is rumbling with excitement.

Superbells' Magic Pink Lemonade calibrachoa has been out for a couple of years and has won awards like Perfect Score, Top Performer. Director’s Select ...Read more

Time sure flies when you aren't looking. I started writing a weekly newspaper column on landscaping, gardening and wildlife 35 years ago this week. I think I have helped a lot of people with their problems. How can I help you?

Q: My gladiolus bulbs have not bloomed well this year. Any ideas on what I did wrong?

A: These bulbs are usually a ...Read more

One of the best things about being involved in plant trials is being proven wrong. People who are evaluating plants at the university level, garden writers and even industry pros are all guilty of judging a plant the day we take it out of the box or off the truck. A lot of those judgments are on aesthetics or beauty.

I’ll skip writing a ...Read more

Q: I have a significant amount of blue rug junipers in my landscape. Every spring, there is a large amount of twig blight that I have to trim. I have been doing this for over 20 years, and it is getting old. Is there a fungicide I can use to address this condition?

A: I have always liked blue rug juniper. It has a nice color and only grows 6-12...Read more