Marianne’s Responses
Currant worms on gooseberries
Posted by John Eastlake | January 4, 2023I'm somewhere between a beginner and expert gardener who has moved with the military too much to risk trying to establish perennials until now that I am retired in one place. I planted several gooseberries bushes 3 seasons ago (North Lakewood) and they seem to be doing well enough -- I do get some tasty fruit -- but the battle ...
What is it?
Posted by Michelle Branch | November 23, 2022Got this from a friend. It was just a bulb. Can you pls tell me what it is. I have another plant git from the same person that I don't know what it is. Will upload later.
Replace sick red maple
Posted by Chris Kuepfer | November 13, 2022Renovating my front garden: small area, on east side and southeast corner of house. My house and neighbor's house are tall and mature trees in neighbor's yard cast shade on area in late afternoon/early evening during summer; longer hours of shade rest of year. A red maple (not Japanese maple) I planted 20 years ago in that garden has succumbed ...
Plant now or wait?
Posted by Robin Jansen | November 9, 2022Zone 8b, Redmond, WA I gutted my 46' x 10' bed and have 40+ perennials ready to plant and scheduled help for Wednesday. But, now we are expecting overnight freeze for the next 8 days. Should I go ahead and plant? Then cover at night with blankets? tarps? or ? Or, should I move them in and out of the ...
When/where to purchase dianthus?
Posted by MemeSharon | November 6, 2022The dianthus I had dwindled a couple years ago. I have trouble finding them and not sure even WHEN to start looking. Spring? I want more. I live in North Burien. Thanks (again) Marianne!
value of plants
Posted by auntcarla | October 29, 2022Hi Marianne - I've just had a number of my treasured plants damaged, how do I put a value on them? I'm looking to show my HOA just how much damage was done on my property and asking for reimbursement. To me these plants are priceless, to non gardeners they just don't understand.
Protecting potted plants in the winter.
Posted by Sandra Turner | October 24, 2022I have an abutilon that has grown beautifully in a very large outdoor pot. The pot is very heavy and will be difficult to move onto my covered porch for the winter. I was thinking of covering it with a freeze protection plant cover that will also keep out the rain. Have you ever used this type of protection. What ...
Wintering Dahlias
Posted by Suzbo | October 24, 2022Hi Marianne, My little grandson gave me a dahlia in a pot in June this year. (When he came to visit one day, he wondered where the pretty red flowers had gone. a fallen look on his face. I told him I'd had to cut them off and why, and that many more would bloom. It is a beautiful plant!) ...
Gaura?
Posted by Cathy McLeod | October 24, 2022Hi! Belated thanks for your talk in Gig Harbor. I was the lucky recipient of your on-the-spot advise, regarding my dry woodlands. My question, I have some beautiful gaura. They are only 2 years old, and are amazing, but ready to take over! Should I try to divide them, or just give them a major haircut? Thanks for your advise! ...
Peony care for Winter
Posted by Lorene Johnson | October 20, 2022I have had my Peonies for years and have noticed that some of the soil on top of the peony has washed away with the rains and some tubers have rotted. I have just left them, since there are new tubers attached and they still do well, but can I add some soil to them without doing it too deep ...
Search the Ask the Gardening Expert library
Looking for a quick resolution to your problem? Marianne has answered thousands of gardening questions. One may be similar to yours. Try searching our library to get the answer you need -- fast!