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| topic | question | answer |
| Miscellaneous | Is Sedum recommended for a greenroof project in Houston July 23, 2008 Would you recommend using Sedum for a green roof project in Houston, Texas? Will the humidity effect the sedum? If sedum would be a poor choice, what would you recommend for Houston? | view answer |
| Landscaping | Groundcover for erosion control in Missouri July 23, 2008 Can you suggest a ground cover to stop erosion on a slight slope in my backyard? I live in Missouri - the soil is very poor in this area and has lots of rock underneath the soil. The yard drains into a creek bed at the back of my property. | view answer |
| Landscaping | Texas natives to plant in July and August July 23, 2008 My husband and I have a disaster of a lawn that we were planning to develop slowly, over time, with a sustainable design we contracted from a landscape designer. However, we are having to move out of the house urgently and rent it out, with little time to prepare the front yard to add curb appeal. We'd like to find some plants we can design with gravel, which we can actually plant in July or August. (I'm not convinced that even natives could survive a planting this time of year.) Any suggestions?? | view answer |
| Landscaping | Groundcover for sunny yard in New Jersey July 23, 2008 Hi. I'm looking for ground cover for a mostly sunny section of my yard. The ground we are looking to cover is next to a slight hill with in a few feet of an in ground pool. I would like something that grows short, maybe a few inches, that also has a thick root system to keep the top soil in place. Thanks | view answer |
| Native Trees | Controlling native chickasaw plum July 23, 2008 How do we kill the chickasaw plum? We have an abundance and want to get rid of them. | view answer |
| Miscellaneous | Removal of previously-planted perennials July 23, 2008 HI I JUST MOVED INTO A NEW HOUSE THIS YEAR THE PREVIOUS OWNERS PLANTED A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL PERENNIALS BUT I WANTED TO PLANT OVER ONE OF THE PERENNIALS THAT I REALLY DO NOT CARE FOR. IS THAT POSSIBLE? IF SO CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW TO DO IT? | view answer |
| Plant Identification | Florida shrub with tiny green pumpkin-like fruit July 23, 2008 I live in Central Florida and have a fast-growing shrub with long stems. The leaves are similar to sassafras and from a distance the red flowers resemble those of a geranium. It has pods that look like tiny green pumpkins. It is not ver cold-hardy, but grows back quickly when pruned.Any idea what it is? | view answer |
| Landscaping | Groundcover for erosion control July 22, 2008 I have a sloped area in my back yard where we need to plant some erosion control plants. The area is above a large (100 foot long x 4 foot tall) stone wall and another smaller wall of natural stone. It's the area above the natural stone wall that requires the plants. The area is south-facing with partial shade and good drainage. What do you recommend for low-growth, low/no-maintenance plants? This area is not 'mowable'. | view answer |
| Native Trees Plant Disease | Large ash tree with round white spot on bark July 21, 2008 I have a large ash tree that seems to be fairly healthy. However, it has a large round white spot (about 18" diameter) on the bark, about 3' up from the base. Within the solid white circle the bark is very shallow in depth, as though the bark is magically getting thinner and thinner in this area. There are no signs of holes and no visible fungus growing. Three different tree trimming companies have looked at it and all say they've never seen this before and the tree looks healthy otherwise. | view answer |
| Native Trees | Will desert willow (Chlopsis linearis) grow in N. E. Mississippi July 21, 2008 I am located in N.E. Mississippi. A friend of mine sent me a few desert willow seeds. I have about 5 plants growing now that are about 6 inches tall. I was wanting to know first of all, is it possible for this plant to survive in this area and if so can you give me any tips on caring for it. Thanks for any help! | view answer |
| Landscaping Native Trees Wildflowers | Evergreen privacy hedge and drought-resistant garden July 21, 2008 I am looking for a hardy evergreen hedge for privacy in Northern Michigan. I have sandy soil. Also am interested in planting a drought garden with mostly sun in same sandy soil. | view answer |
| Plant Care | Transplanting non-native invasive chinaberry trees July 21, 2008 I know most folk think Chinaberry trees are only for digging up, but I say that here in the Hill Country during a drought, they are the greenest and purtiest tree around. I have some tall fifteen footers that I'd like to transplant to give some much needed shade. Does anyone have a suggestion. | view answer |
| Native Plants | Native vine for shade on west side in Texas July 21, 2008 I have just put in a trellis to cover the west side of my house for shade. What would be the best native vine to put their for quick growth. I plan on putting a rose (Fortunia) but can't do that till winter or early spring. I don't want something that needs to be tended to often or to invasive. | view answer |
| Native Trees | Trimming oak threatening fence in California July 21, 2008 I live in Diamond Springs,California,I have a large oak tree growing between my neighbors' house and mine. A large branch is cracked and in danger of falling on my fence,I would like to lighten it up by trimming it up,any certain time of year? It's in a spot called a green belt, between houses-between fences,it won't hurt his but would wipe mine out. Any suggestions ? | view answer |
| Invasive Plants | Getting rid of invasive, non-native Ailanthus altissimma, Tree of Heaven July 21, 2008 We live in Granite, MD and are trying to get rid of an invasive "tree of heaven". Based on a recommendation from a website dedicated to eradicating invasive plants,my husband cut down the tree which had a 3 inch trunk, drilled a hole in the stump and filled the hole with fertilizer. I think I erred by using a timed released fertilizer. The tree is throwing off sprouts from the roots. Is there something else we can do to get rid of it? Unfortunately it is located in the midst of an established flower bed. I appreciate any suggestions. | view answer |
| Native Plants Plant Care | Death of Tecoma stans after heavy rain July 21, 2008 I had two esperanza plants. They have been planted for about four months, this spring. They were blooming and growing. We had six inches of rain in five days and they began to wilt - and then they died. They were not in standing water but close to it. We live at the south tip of Texas. | view answer |
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