Q I have a small, 2-by-5-foot flower bed in front of my home. During the winter, the soil stays soft as it is protected by the eave on the house. The roaming cats have used this as a litter box. Before planting flowers this spring, I sifted the top 2 inches of soil to clean it and make it ready to plant. Cats still use it even though begonias are planted. How can I keep the cats out of there? I have dumped a package of moth balls on the soil but to no avail. What can I use?
A You have several options, but the easiest is to find someone with a sweetgum tree and use sweetgum balls as mulch. Cats scratch the soil and don’t like the spikiness of sweetgum balls. Several companies also sell cat scratch pads, which are small brown plastic sheets with upright plastic spikes — they don’t hurt the cats, but serve the same purpose as sweetgum balls.
Q I am in northeastern Arkansas and wondering what roses you recommend to be the most disease-free in Arkansas. There are some beauties available, but pink and disease-free (as much as possible in the South) is my first choice.
A There are a number of great choices for disease-resistant pink roses. Choices include “Pink Drift,” “New Dawn,” “Katy Road Pink,” “The Fairy” and “Belinda’s Dream.” These are just a start, as there are many from which to choose.
Q We need to put a French drain in our yard. In doing so, we need to remove four flowering quince that have been in the yard since at least 1979. Is there an effective way to remove them so that they don’t grow back?
A When digging them up, remove as much of the root system as possible. Occasionally they will root-sucker from a bit of root that was left behind, but just pay attention and if you see any sprouts, pull them up.
Q I have some mint in large pots in my yard, and a few weeks ago they were full and beautiful. They have now become scraggly, and some of the leaves are turning brown. They get sun till about 3 p.m. (when we are lucky enough to get it with all this rain) and plenty of water right now. This was happening before all our rain, so I tend to think it is not overwatering. When I put my finger in to feel the soil, I feel a lot of roots. They are about 2 years old. Can you give me some advice on what is happening and what I should do?
A Very little will damage mint. Mint is quite prolific, and it is possible they are too crowded. Thin out some of the remaining plants and shear it back. It should be full and lush in no time. It is good you have it contained, because it can quickly take over a flower bed.
Q I received six Oriental “Stargazer” lily bulbs to plant as a memorial to my husband. When is the best time to plant them, how much sun, etc.?
A Plant the bulbs now in a well-drained location in full sun. You may want to use perennial stakes around them to aid in support. As they grow, they can get quite tall, and the large flowers can cause leaning of the stems, so the stakes will help. They are hardy bulbs and should return each year.
Q Could you tell me what this plant is? Is it a wild strawberry? (The reader sent a photo.)
A The plant in question is commonly called Indian strawberry or mock strawberry. Duchesnea indica is the Latin name. It is a common weed in lawns, and while the fruits are edible, they have very little 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
jcarson@arkansasonline.com