IN THE GARDEN

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Tree illustration.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Tree illustration.

Q I have never seen this addressed, so I'm seeking information on the subject of pre-emergent herbicide. How is it used and where is it available?

A Pre-emergent herbicides are weed preventers. They should help suppress annual weeds from germinating. Since we have two seasons of weeds -- winter weeds and summer weeds -- pre-emergents can be applied twice: in the fall to prevent winter weeds and in late winter/early spring to stop the summer weed seeds from germinating. These chemicals only work on annual weeds, not perennial weeds such as nutgrass, dandelions, etc. An annual is a plant that germinates, grows, sets seeds and dies in one season.

Pre-emergent herbicides are in stock at nurseries and garden centers in the fall and early winter. I recommend them for use only in well-established lawns. While there are some formulations for flower beds and vegetable gardens, I want some of my plants to reseed themselves, so I don't use any herbicides in these gardens, just a good hoe and mulch.

For lawns, the garden centers and nurseries often stock what is known as "weed-and-feed." But were you to use one of these products right now, you would be fertilizing already emerged winter weeds, because our typical summer lawn grasses are still dormant. I prefer using a stand-alone pre-emergent, not one mixed with fertilizer.

Q We live in Warren and have three oleander bushes on the south side of our house showing a peculiar growth. The plants are otherwise healthy looking. Is it something that requires our attention?

A Your oleander has a waxy scale. That white waxy coating protects the insect underneath. If the scale is on only one or two branches, you could prune it out. You also can saturate the branches right now with a dormant oil to try to smother them out. Once dead, the scale won't fall off, but you should not see any new signs, and the plant will be fine. If you continue to see more scale as the growing season begins, a systemic insecticide is your best approach.

Q I have seen a strange sight in Texarkana for about three years now. At shopping centers, where landscaping services take care of the plants, they have already starting the "crape murder" (ugh!) for this spring, but they also seem to be burning the bark. It looks like they take a blowtorch to it. Strangely enough, most come back and bloom, but it looks horrible. Do you know why they do this?

A I do not think they are burning the bark. I think the trees are infested with the crape myrtle scale. Heavy infestations leave the trunks covered in a black, sooty mold. If left untreated it can severely affect the blooming of the tree. While they are not burning the trunks, there is still no excuse for the pruning known as crape murder.

Q We recently moved to the Leawood neighborhood in midtown of Little Rock. Our home faces north. The person we bought the house from had recently removed overgrown landscaping, so we have a blank slate to work with. In your opinion, what should we consider planting in the front of our home for maximum curb appeal? We like azaleas, gardenias, hydrangeas, etc. And do you have any recommendations on a garden service to use?

A All of the plants you mentioned would do well for a north-facing house. There are many choices including camellias, azaleas, hydrangeas, hollies, boxwoods, loropetalum, abelia, gardenias. I don't make recommendations about businesses, but I would suggest you get a bid from a variety of them. You can attend the Arkansas Flower & Garden Show, Feb. 26-28, to get ideas and talk with nurserymen, designers and the staff and volunteers who will be manning the University of Arkansas Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service booth.

Q I have separated and transplanted liriope plants before, usually in late March and with good results. Is February too early to do that?

A Liriope is a tough plant. I have seen them divided and moved in July and they survived, so February should not be a problem at all. Even though liriope, or monkey grass, is an evergreen plant, cutting it back every year before growth begins will give it a fresh start. That is typically done in late February, too. Then just be on guard against late freezes -- apply some mulch if the forecast shows one is coming.

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

HomeStyle on 02/06/2016

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