LITTLE ROCK — Q I love palm trees and have noticed that the coastal areas of France and Italy have beautiful palms even though they are as much as 8 degrees farther north than this part of Arkansas. Are there any varieties of palms that could survive in the Clinton (Van Buren County) area of Arkansas, or does the Mediterranean climate make latitude less of a factor?
A We actually have several species of hardy palms that would do well in Clinton. I would prefer to plant in the spring to allow the plants time to get established before winter, but palms are readily available from many nurseries. Windmill palm, palmetto and pindo palm are just a few of the options that should be hardy in Clinton.
Q My friends would like to know when and how much they can prune back their hollies. They are just moving in and would like to cut their overgrown hollies back by at least half (width and height). When would be the best time to prune? Can they be cut back this far at one time or should they do it in two cuttings?
A Hollies are pretty tough plants and occasionally can be cut back by more than half and still recover. Now is not the time to do so, for several reasons.
One, they will look pretty ugly after they are cut, and this late in the season, your friends will have that to look at until spring. Plus, the hollies will be more susceptible to winter damage (should we have a cold winter).
The time to do severe pruning is right before new growth kicks in next spring - late February through early April, depending on our weather. Take them back beyond the window line to allow room for new growth.
Try to keep the angle at the top slightly narrower than at the base, so they get sunlight along the entire plant profile. Lightly fertilize after pruning and in the spring, they should rebound and fill back in quickly.
Q I have three amaryllis bulbs from plants that I received several years ago. Initially after blooming, I would put the plants (at this point just leaves) on my deck for the summer. They rebloomed for one or two years when I brought them indoors for winter. Last winter they didn’t bloom, so I ignored them by not watering them at all this summer while they were still indoors. I was throwing them out, assuming that they were dead, and I noticed that the bulbs were plump and alive looking. My question is: What do you think are the chances that if I plant them in the ground now or later (spring), anything will come of them? If I plant them in spring, how should I treat them until then? I’ve pulled them from their dried soil. Should I cut the shriveled roots off?
A I doubt they will bloom for you this year if they have been inside and not cared for all season, but if the bulbs are firm, they are still viable. I would pot them and give them a little water.
When amaryllis bulbs are ready to grow, they start to sprout. Once that happens, put them in a sunny window and water. They grow rapidly and, usually, will bloom prior to foliage coming on. My bet is yours will just have foliage, but that is OK. Next spring either move the plants outside or plant the bulbs in the ground outdoors. Many people are using these as bulbs outside year-round, and they are surviving the winters and blooming in the spring. I like the extra color indoors, so I try to bring them back inside for the winter. They need sunlight and care for the growing months outdoors to bloom again once they are back inside. If you decide to wait until spring to plant, monitor them. Usually they will try to grow during the winter.
Q I dug some daffodil bulbs a month ago and left them in the open on a back porch, and now they are sprouting. Have I lost them for next spring? Or is it possible for me to put them in the freezer and manage to make them grow if planted later?
Help will be appreciated.
A Many of our spring bulbs are beginning to grow. I would plant them immediately in the ground outdoors. They will get the chilling they need during the late fall and winter and should bloom next spring. Some people do prechill their bulbs by putting them in the refrigerator, if they don’t have time to get them planted, but never put them in the freezer, as they will rot. October through December is the ideal time to plant spring bulbs, so you should be in good shape.
Janet Carson is a horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Write to her at 2301 S. University Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72204 or e-mail her at
HomeStyle, Pages 35 on 11/03/2012