Q How do we get rid of the huge mushrooms in our yard? I am growing mostly zoysia grass, and it gets plenty of sunlight, even though it is under a popcorn tree.
A You must be watering or you would not have mushrooms. Mushrooms are growing from decaying organic matter and spores in the soil. When they receive ample moisture, they grow. They are not harming anything -- actually they are helping with the decaying process that enriches soil. You can simply knock them down as soon as you see them. Once the decomposition is completed, you won't see as many mushrooms.
Q This bush came from Texas. It is about 15 feet tall. It is an evergreen and blooms in the spring and again in the fall. The bees and butterflies love it. It is aromatic, and you smell a pleasant odor when you get within 10-15 yards of it. What is this plant?
A The plant in the picture is a loquat. This tree is not common in Arkansas but can be grown here. It blooms in the fall and sets its edible fruit in early winter to mature in late winter. A well-established loquat tree can withstand temperatures to about 10 degrees without serious injury, but the flowers and fruit are killed at temperatures below about 27. Since they bloom in late fall to early winter and must mature their fruit during the winter months, we would rarely ever get any fruit in Arkansas: Our average winter low is about 15 degrees in central and southern Arkansas and 10 degrees in northern Arkansas.
Q You have probably received many emails from your readers telling you about the unusual things blooming in November in central Arkansas. Here are some that have bloomed or are blooming in my west Little Rock backyard: forsythia, violets and dandelions. I also have clematis that had died back but is now 2 feet tall. There is also a Southern magnolia with blooms on South Shackleford Road across from the Cracker Barrel restaurant. What causes this?
A It is not unusual to see a few errant blooms in the fall on spring-blooming plants, but this year I expect to see more, especially after a decent rain. Spring-blooming plants set their flower buds in late summer to early fall. As dry as it has been, many plants have really slowed down and gone into a semi-dormant stage. If we get a good rain, coupled with moderate temperatures, they think spring has sprung, and a few flowers open. Typically it is not the full show, just a few flowers. Enjoy them if you have them, as there is nothing you can do to prevent it other than keeping your plants watered when the weather's dry.
Q Is cyclamen just not suitable for the winter season in Arkansas? We're in New York this week, and they are planted everywhere.
A There are two showy cyclamens -- the hardy cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium) is winter hardy in Arkansas and blooms in the fall in the shade garden. The foliage is pretty throughout the season. The florist cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is not winter hardy and must be grown as a houseplant indoors. It is still a showy plant and blooms in shades of pink, purple, white and red. It would not be hardy in New York either, so I am assuming you have seen the hardy cyclamen, although it is a bit late in the year for it still to be blooming.
Q Could you please shed some light on what type of dogwood tree I have that produces these fruits? Are they edible?
A The fruit you have is from the Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa). In a mild growing season they can become quite large and showy -- much showier than the berries on our native dogwood. The fruits are edible, but I have never eaten them and so cannot describe the taste.
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
HomeStyle on 11/26/2016