Recently in ask joe Category

Q: We have an established maple tree in our backyard whose roots are showing on the surface. I would love to plant under the tree (shrubs, perennials, etc.)and wonder what the best way to do this without damaging the tree would be. If we add topsoil, will the roots just come to the surface again and would it weaken the tree? I saw a raised bed where there was a ring of stone wall about a foot from the trunk of the tree,(keeping the dirt from touching the trunk),with another stone wall on the outside forming the raised bed- sort of like a donut around the trunk. But this was done around a small ornamental tree. Thank you for your time and any suggestions.
Connie

Q: We have just discovered some beautiful Dogwood trees on our property. We would like to transplant them. We live in Maine, any suggestions for a successful relocation of the trees?
Kristin

Q: How do I properly use my new edger to edge a planting bed?

Q: I have a Yucca Palm and we dug up bulbs around them . I want to know if I should replant them or put them in water to let them take root? Thank you

Peggy

Q: We live in Maine zone5 What is the best way to plant grape vines?

Q: Is there such a thing as a non-blooming wisteria? I live on Long Island, NY. The vine was grown from seed, and has never bloomed in 20 years. I have tried pruning at different times of the year.

Barb M.

Q: I have two questions about wisteria with which I hope you can help me.  I purchased a wisteria a few years ago.  It has white blooms.  It bloomed the first year I planted it.  The second year it had no blooms and last year it had only two blooms.  The vine looks very healthy and is growing well, but virtually no blooms?  I live in northern Maryland zone 6 to 5.  Do you have any idea why I might not have blooms?

My second question has to do with whether or not wisteria is poisonous.  I read that it was part of the pea family and that typically would mean it is poisonous to horses.  The plant is in reach of my horses and one of them did some selected pruning last year but did not show any side effects.  Wisteria was not listed in my poisonous plant book, so I’m unsure of whether or not it is a danger to the horses.

Thanks for you help with this.

Q:  Hi Joe
I was wondering if you could help point me in the right direction.
I am looking for information on the sales trend for perennials by variet for 2008 in the North East.  Any suggestions on how I can get these type of statistics? Any help would be great!
Thanks, Kristine

Q:  Do potato bushes lose there leaves like my apple, peach trees that i have? I moved from S.F bay area to northern California and the bush felt the change a bit. Now its it the ground and i am wondering if i should cover the bush when REALLY cold weather exists. Gracias!!!

Q: I have a blue potato bush (solanum rantonnetii) that I purchased in September.  It is trained like a tree.  Has a bare trunk (staked) and was trimmed to a round shape on the top.  I transplanted it and that encouraged a flush of new growth.  It is not a round shape any more.  It has long branches going everywhere!  I would like to prune it back to a fairly round shape and I am not sure when or how I should do this. It has lovely flowers and I would hate to ruin it.

I live in El Cajon, CA and our winters get down to about 35 degrees.  No snow.  Should I wait until Feb or March to prune it? How should I prune it? I found you on the Fiskars web site and enjoyed your video on pruning. I am not sure what category my plant falls into. Sounds like I follow a branch back until I see a branch off and clip there, keeping a round shape in mind?