Marianne’s Responses
What Can I Do About Dahlia Mildew?
Posted by Sandra Spee | October 11, 2025I have a very large garden with vegetables and lots of dahlias. I have gardened in this spot for 40 some years. This year I had what looked like powdery mildew on some of my dahlias. I have never experienced this before. My husband sprayed the plants with neem oil and copper spray. It helped a bit, but the mildew ...
How to Overwinter Autumn Joy Sedum in a Pot?
Posted by Lorene Johnson | October 11, 2025I have a beautiful Autumn Joy Sedum that is in a container. What would be the best way to overwinter this to keep it alive and in good shape? It's done so well, I don't want to lose it, but realise that it being in a pot probably exposes it to more elements! We live in 8b Puyallup. Thank you for ...
How to Eliminate Brome Grass in Daylilies
Posted by Joni Renshaw | September 13, 2025What can I do to kill the brome grass in my daylilies? It has been pulled and dug, but keeps coming back. I have used grass killers, but that only turns it a little brown after multiple applications.
Photo: Arum or Calla Lily
Posted by Suzbo | September 9, 2025These two came out to see what I was up to while I watered the flower bed. Hope you can see them. Thanks Suzette B Enumclaw WA
Help! The Grass Has Been Overtaken by Dandylions!
Posted by wstrkmp | August 31, 2025Hi, Marianne. I am writing this question for my daughter. She has a home in Bonney Lake. Her home is on a lot a little over an acre in size, with the front yard about 1/2 acre, all lawn. The grass has been overtaken by a sea of dandlions, all in full bloom. You literally can see no grass. What ...
Perennials’ Second Year
Posted by Leslie Stepherson | August 26, 2025Over time I've had perennials that looked great when I planted them, but the next year they're really puny or failed to come up at all. What is the reason for this and can you give me planting advice to avoid this in the future? Thank you, Leslie in Olympia
Dealing with Magnolia Bush Problems
Posted by Sue Perek | August 5, 2025This year, my magnolia bush was trimmed. After a month, I noticed it wasn't growing as it had in the past. Typically, new shoots emerge, and they grow about another foot and fill in. The bush is over 50 years old. I've maintained it for 34 of those years. I am proud to say that each year it has blossomed ...
When to Plant Fall Sugar Peas
Posted by susan ashby | August 2, 2025What is the best temperature at which to sow sugar snap peas? I'm in Zone 6, northern Indiana. Thank you in advance....Susan
Why No Blooms on Sweet Kate Spiderwort
Posted by Ray Buck | July 26, 2025Our home has a built-in planter across the front, which is twelve feet long and faces north. I wanted some greenery and colour and chose Sweet Kate Spiderwort. I planted six of them, evenly spaced, along with a bit of Osmocote. The planter gets very little direct sun, but it's not deep shade. The plants have grown significantly and have ...
Is This Leaf from a Sassafras Tree?
Posted by Suzbo | July 23, 2025Hi Marianne, Can you identify the tree from the leaf? It's a large sprawling tree. Some of the leaves have this condition on them. I wondered if it was something that could hurt the tree? The tree has pods and nuts I think, but mostly the green pods just turn blackish and drop. The pulp looks more like a nut ...
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