IN THE GARDEN

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette butterfly Illustration
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette butterfly Illustration

Q I have a question about the butterfly bush I planted last year. It was a young, small bush and grew fast and produced lots of blooms. It is starting to show some leaves. I haven't trimmed anything yet. Should I go ahead and cut it close to the ground or let it grow?

A Now is a great time to prune your butterfly bush. I would cut it back at least by half, and if you want it to be even lower, you can prune it more. Spring is coming on late, and plants are just getting started growing, so you have time to prune the summer bloomers without delaying new blooms. Butterfly bushes do bloom on the new growth. If you don't prune, they tend to get fairly gangly and don't bloom as well.

Q I did not do so much in my yard last year because of fluctuating weather. I need to dig up several lily plants and thin them out. I have rain lilies, amaryllis and "Angel White" day lilies that need to be thinned out. Is it OK to dig them up and thin them out now, as in this week or next week? I also got a bag of 10 bulbs of Asiatic lilies for my belated birthday earlier this month, and I see that the best time to plant them is in the fall. Huh ... can I still plant the bulbs now? When some of my hostas and painted Japanese ferns start shooting up, is it OK to dig them up and divide them out this spring?

A By all means, dig and divide now. Perennials that bloom in the summer can be divided either spring or fall without any problems. You can also still plant your Asiatic lilies. They are still being sold now and are beginning to grow. While fall division often leads to stronger plants for the growing season, many gardeners opt for spring because it is easier to see what you have as they emerge, plus we often are more energized in the spring for gardening than in the fall.

Q I still have old hydrangea blooms from last year. Should I go ahead and cut the blooms off now or later? Where should I cut them ... right below the bloom, or farther down the stem?

A I would say it is time to remove the spent blooms. Try to cut it off right beneath the flower so that you don't damage any flower buds that might be behind it. The jury is still out on whether or not we have winter damage on hydrangeas, but let's keep our fingers crossed that they are fine and that we will have no late cold snaps.

Q I planted a camellia bush two years ago. It hasn't grown and only bloomed once last year, but only a few buds. Now tons of buds have been on it but it won't bloom and is losing leaves and has brown spots. It gets lots of rain runoff from the roof, morning sun until about noon then shade and is on northeastern side of house. Should I move it? The next-door neighbor's bush is lush green with vibrant red flowers blooming. If I do move it, what's the best sun exposure? Thanks! So worried I'm going to lose it and it was $300.

A I think there may be something wrong with the site if the plant is not growing at all. I am also worried the spot may be too wet. Camellias can tolerate some moisture but not standing water or waterlogged soil. Dig the plant up now and inspect the roots. Are they white and full and spreading out, or are they brown and gummy and stunted? Camellias like a rich, well-drained soil with full morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered light throughout the day. It sounds as if your light exposure is perfect, but I am not sure your plant is a happy camper. If you paid that much for the plant, I assume it was quite large. The larger the plant at transplant, the slower it takes to get acclimated and begin to grow, so that can be another factor. But I worry about the water runoff you mention. You also can take some pictures of the plant along with some leaves to your local county extension office for diagnostics.

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

[email protected]

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Special to the Democrat-Gazette/JANET CARSON

Pruning needs and timing isn't the same for all hydrangeas. One thing to avoid is pruning after the plant has set its buds for the new season.

HomeStyle on 03/10/2018

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