IN THE GARDEN

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette green dragon illustration
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette green dragon illustration

Q We have a bunch of per-simmon trees in our yard and have little persimmon trees coming up everywhere. Between regular grass mowing they will be 6 to 12 inches tall. It's nothing new, of course, but is there an easy way we can control them?

A If the small trees are root suckers, cutting them out is all you can do without hurting the mother tree. If they are seedling trees, cutting and treating the cut edges with a glyphosate product (Roundup) could help reduce their re-sprouting.

Q What could this be? [The reader sent a photo.] It came up on nearby property. The plant first had broad glossy leaves but they have wilted.

A It has been a good year for members of the arum family. It is the seed stalk from either an Italian arum, jack-in-the-pulpit or a green dragon (Arisaema dracontium). I have seen more Italian arums than any others, but they all produce a seed stalk of orange or red berries. The plants grow in the cooler months, flower with a spathelike bloom and then the foliage dies away leaving only the seed stalks. The plants do multiply from the seeds, and colonies can form over time. The foliage is quite different depending on which plant you have.

Q I just read an article about growing clover as a lawn substitute for grass. Can clover be grown in Arkansas as a lawn?

A I do have a small stand of white clover that has come up in my lawn, and it gets mowed along with the rest of the grass. Some people have lawns that are composed mainly of weeds, and they still call it a lawn. There are many clovers out there. Many gardeners want the crimson clover as a groundcover when they see it blooming along the interstates in the spring, but it would not be a lawn alternative, since it is an annual and dies with hot weather. The only clover that I think would be suitable is white clover (Trifolium repens), which is a durable perennial. Over-seed your existing lawn next spring, from March to very early April. Scalp your existing lawn -- getting as low as possible, and then broadcast the white clover seed. If you are planting for clover foliage and flowers (for pollinators) then opt for "Durana" or "Resolute" varieties. If you just want the green coverage, there is a micro or mini white clover variety that would be suitable as a lawn but does not bloom well. The main downside would be if you have neighbors who strive for a totally weed-free lawn.

Q Can you give me some idea as to what is causing this problem with my hardy arctic kiwi plant? [The reader sent a photo.] I think it's 3 years old, and I don't remember this happening before.

A The burned leaf margins could be caused by a fertilizer or pesticide burn or by lack of water. Have you been regularly watering? If you do fertilize or spray, make sure there is ample moisture in the plants first, since the plant can take up too much of the fertilizer or chemical and be damaged. For now, water, water, water and see how it comes back.

Q I have a couple of lilies that have been in pots for a few years. I'd like to plant them in the ground and wonder when the best time would be. Also, I ordered some hydrangeas this year. They are small plants but healthy after living in a planter outdoors. Can I plant them in the ground before winter gets here, or should I bring them in and store them in the garage for the winter, then transplant in the spring? They have not yet bloomed, but the three plants are nice and healthy.

A If you are like me, you are probably already tired of having to water containers every day this summer. When it is hot and dry, containers demand attention. You will find your job will be a whole lot easier if these plants get established outside in the yard instead of staying in pots. For the lilies, plant them in a well-drained site in full sun. Don't be alarmed if the shock of transplant causes them to begin dying back. If it has been at least six weeks since they bloomed, they should bounce back next spring. For the hydrangeas, plant them in a protected spot in the garden where they will get morning sun or filtered daily sun. Big leaf hydrangeas performed beautifully for us this summer, but it was our first good season in a while. Cold winters do take their toll, but these are really outside plants, and you don't want to have to move them back and forth each season.

Janet B. 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

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HomeStyle on 07/23/2016

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