In the garden

Q I am considering planting giant reed grass for privacy.

Is it clumping or running?

I searched the Internet without a clear answer. I would really would like to put this at my back fence but don’t want to sabotage myself or my neighbors if it is running. What do you think?

AW hile giant reed grass (Arundo donax) is one of the fastest and tallest grasses, I would use it with caution. It is clumping for the parent plant, but it does spread by underground rhizomes. It is not in the same league as bamboo, but I would consider some type of physical barrier put in behind it by the fence line to prevent it from running into your neighbors’ yards. It is more aggressive in moist or wet conditions.

Q Huntsville High School’s Class of 1975 is planning to plant maple trees for each of its members that have passed on. They are thinking sugar maples because they want all those glorious colors. Is that a good choice, or are there other maples with the pretty colors that are more long-lived and sturdy? Your advice would be much appreciated.

A Sugar maples are a good option for you in Northwest Arkansas and they are spectacular in the fall. There are also some outstanding cultivars of red maples - October Glory and Red Sunset are two that do very well in Arkansas. If you are looking for uniformity then going with a few species is good.

If you simply want a nice grove of trees, you might diversify and plant a variety. Chinese pistache is a small tree with outstanding red fall foliage, and gingko has stunning yellow leaves.

There are others too. I am glad you are steering clear of the Bradford pear.

QA tree volunteered just outside our fence in a field that is green space.

It looks like a Bradford pear but has thorns about onehalf to three-quarter inch long. It has leaves like a pear, and the leaves turned a dark red this fall. What kind of tree do you think this is?

AIt sounds like a seedling callery pear. All ornamental pears are Pyrus calleryana, the callery pear. Then horticulturists bred them, making cultivars that have specific attributes, like Bradford, Aristocrat, Capital, etc.

When these ornamental trees flower and fruit, the resulting seeds drop or are dropped by birds or squirrels, and then random seedling pears emerge.

Many have thorns like their parent. Resulting fruits can be the size of a BB or the size of a large crab apple. It is this propensity to reseed that has caused them to spread almost out of control across the state, making them somewhat invasive.

Q Many of my trees are still loaded with leaves, which is most unusual for this time of the year. Any thoughts?

A You aren’t alone.

Some trees were still just beginning to turn color when the first hard freeze occurred. The early freeze may have prevented the natural abscission layer from doing its normal thing to release the leaves.

I am not worried. The only potential problem is added weight with snow or ice, and an extended raking season.

Q Some time ago there was an article about garden tools. What is the name of the tool mentioned that was your favorite garden tool? And where can you get it?

AIt is a small hand tool from Ames True Temper called the 7-in-1 Planter Buddy. I like it because it has a serrated edge on one side so I can easily cut root balls when planting, and it has a nice grip and is sturdy and a good digging tool. It is available at most hardware stores that sell Ames tools. I have seen it several places.

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 email her at

[email protected]

HomeStyle, Pages 37 on 12/28/2013

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