Marianne’s Responses
When Is the Best Time to Prune Panicle Hydrangea?
Posted by Lorene Johnson | February 18, 2025I have heard different views on this and last year I think I was a little late, cause it was already starting to grow, but pruned anyway. Is mid February a good time to prune these panicles? The Mopheads I do when it warms up a little, maybe end of March or early April and I do prune just above ...
Can I Replant in Soil Where Root Rot Killed the Previous Tree?
Posted by Cathy McLeod | February 16, 2025Hi Marianne! My fabulous but old hydrangea tree has finally succumbed to root rot. Can I replant using that soil? Or should I dig out most of the soil and rebuild it with amended dirt/compost? Alternatively, should I plant a new tree in the same area in my garden but in a really big pot? As always, thanks for your ...
What Should I Do with Italian Arum?
Posted by lindadike | February 16, 2025I’ve read that Italian Arum is considered a noxious weed in Washington State where I live. I did not purchase this but think it came with a potted plant I purchased at the nursery. I think it’s foliage is pretty but I understand it is very invasive. Do you recommend I remove it from my garden?
Can Fertilizer Stains Be Avoided on a Trex Deck?
Posted by Marti Perkins | January 18, 2025Hi, Marianne - I have a lot of pots on my Trex deck and am having problems with white staining that is difficult (if not impossible) to remove. I've tried using potting soil that does not contain the fertilizer and using natural fertilizers like bone meal and stuff with no chemical fertilizers. Still a problem. Does Osmocote do this? I've ...
Help Me Find Tomaccio Seeds or Plants
Posted by Sharon Yaffe | January 3, 2025I'm trying to track down tommacio tomatoes in whichever form I can find them! Seeds or plants, I'll take anything. I'm dumbfounded they weren't more popular. They are the best-tasting and best producers I've had in 60 years!
When Can a Native Snowberry Be Transplanted?
Posted by Christy Nicandri | January 3, 2025I received a native snowberry for Christmas. It’s in a 10-gallon pot. Can I plant it in the ground now (January), or should I wait until a later date? I live in Tumwater. Thanks. Happy holidays.
Broken Rhododendron
Posted by Suzbo | November 14, 2024Hello, Last week my neighbor's beautiful maple was split in two in the wind overnight. It fell into my yard-it fit perfectly, the tops just touching our gate!- unfortunately he had to remove the whole tree. It broke two branches off of a rhody in my yard. I wonder how to take care of the breaks. It's a troubled rhody, ...
Propagate Sedum Autumn Joy
Posted by Suzi Morris | September 19, 2024Can I propagate Sedum Autumn Joy in fall when the plant is blooming via the Chelsea Chop method? When would it be safe to plant in the ground?
Starter fertilizer for Nandina shrubs
Posted by Phil Fellini | September 12, 2024Hi Marianne! I'm about to plant several Nadina Firepower shrubs. They're in 3-gallon containers. What starter fertilizer do you recommend? Thank you. By the way, I live in the Mid-Atlantic area.
change in email address
Posted by Ruth Faldet | September 7, 2024This is not a gardening question but I am trying to update my email address and cannot find how to do it on this web site. Would you please update my email address to rfaldet@comcast.net and delete the old email address of rmfaldet@yahoo.com has not been functioning correctly. Please note there is no "m" in the rfaldet@comcast.net. Thank you. Ruth ...
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