LITTLE ROCK — Q I live in Hot Springs Village and have an empty lot next door with lots of critters (bunnies, deer, etc.).
When planting last fall I found my Indiana remedies didn’t quite work here in Arkansas, as your deer and bunnies really like hot pepper (must be the Southern in them). At any rate, this spring I began to use a deer repellent spray. Once the sprinklers had to be used daily, I discontinued the repellent. I use a hose to water plants the sprinklers don’t reach - and being the lazy gardener that I am, I refused to roll my black hose up every evening when done. Low and behold, the bunnies and deer have moved from the empty lot next door. My host a garden is absolutely beautiful.
Could they actually think my black hose is a snake?
A I suppose it is possible, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. Lots of people try using rubber snakes as a deterrent and after a few days, that doesn’t work. But as I always say, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it - but do stay diligent and watch for signs of animal encroachment. It could be the deerrepellent that deterred them earlier and they just haven’t made it back.
Q This is in response to one of your newspaper questions on July 10. I have the same problem with trumpet vine sprouting all over my yard from one plant I have trellised. Is there any way to stop it from sprouting from the roots that have spread underground through the yard around the trellis, but without having to kill the entire plant?
I would like to keep the main plant, if possible, and stop it from sprouting. Is there any way?
A Unfortunately, that is the nature of the beast.
If you were to use chemicals to kill the sprouts attached to your main plant, you could damage both. The best way is to cut off the sprouts slightly below the soil surface and mulch. This won’t prevent future sprouting, but can help in management.
A I made a cutting four or five years ago from a gardenia in Little Rock.
It has done well in a pot and bloomed for the first time last summer. It has bloomed a lot this summer. I want to plant it outside. When is the best time to plant it and where would be the best location? I live in Searcy County. What kind of protection might I need in the winter? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
A If you plan to plant it outside, I would do so as soon as possible. You need to allow the plant a chance to get its roots established before cold weather sets in this fall. Plant it in a protected spot in your yard where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade. The soil should be well drained.
Searcy County is pushing the gardenia’s hardiness limits.
Be prepared to cover it when temperatures drop to 15 degrees or lower, and leave it covered until they get above that. If it does get winter damaged, it will not bloom that season, since it sets its flower buds in late summer.
If it is small you can cover it with a large cardboard box.
Good luck.
Q The leaves on my azaleas are turning white. I do not know how or what to do to them. I do not want to lose them. Help!
A Check the backs of the leaves. I would bet they have small black or brown specks there and are rough to the touch. Lacebugs are the culprit. These tiny insects have translucent lacelike wings and feed on the undersurface of azaleas. As they feed, they suck sap out of the foliage. At the beginning, infestations leave a few white specks on the surface, but repeated feeding gives the overall surface of the leaf a white or silverish appearance. Left unchecked, lacebugs produce numerous generations each season.
Spraying now with a systemic insecticide such as Orthene can slow them down. If the problem occurs every year, try a preventive treatment of Imidacloprid next spring or early summer. This systemic insecticide is applied around the drip line of the shrub, absorbed by the plant, and should give you a season free of the problem. The damage that has been done to your plants will not go away, but you should not see new damage after spraying.
Janet Carson is an extension horticulturist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Write to her at P.O. Box 391, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or e-mail her at
HomeStyle, Pages 33 on 07/17/2010