Q I'm trying to find a perennial that someone gave my mother years ago. Not sure of the spelling but I think it is Acimanese. Do you have any ideas or suggestions where I might find this tough little plant?
A I think the plant you are referring to is achimenes, commonly called orchid pansy or magic flower. These summer flowering small bulb or rhizome plants are not easily found in nurseries, but can be a good pass-along plant. A few specialty bulb catalogs carry them. This member of the gesneriad family (related to African violets) are not reliably winter hardy so would need to be allowed to go dormant in the fall and then stored in your garage or in a cool, dry place for the winter. They do best in morning sun and afternoon shade, and need well-drained soil. They are fairly carefree, if you can find them.
Q I am strongly considering removal of my two Bradford pear trees in my front yard. My problem is that I cannot seem to find good information on replacement trees. My local nursery offers a lot of suggestions until I say that I want native species. I am committed to only planting native trees and want something that runs about the same adult size. Can you suggest any similar trees?
A I commend you for replacing your Bradford pears. The trees are blooming all across this state right now and it is pretty upsetting how many escaped seedlings there are, which are blotting out other plants. I think there are several options. I love the blackgum tree (Nyssa sylvatica). It does not produce "gum balls" like our sweetgum trees, but a small drupe or berry. It gets as tall as a Bradford pear but not as wide. It has outstanding red fall color, but does not have showy blooms in the spring. Other options are the American hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) which gets 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide, similar to a Bradford pear and the little leaf linden (Tilia cordata "Greenspire").
Q My husband and I live in Texarkana. We went out this morning to cut back our two crepe myrtles which we planted at the corners of the front porch 20 plus years ago. We've never had any trouble with them, but this morning we discovered that one of them looks like it has been burnt (pictures attached) and has white patches down the length of the tree with white tiny round things where the bark is peeling. The tree on the north end of the porch is in the most trouble but the other tree is beginning to look the same but is less severe -- so far. Could you tell me what is causing this and what can be done, or should we cut them down and start over?
A You have a classic case of the new insect on crape myrtles called crape myrtle felt scale. The black color is coming from a sooty mold that forms on the sticky residue given off by the scale insects feeding on the tree. From the pictures, it also looks like you practice "Crape Murder" in your pruning of your crape myrtles. That huge knob you cut it back to is not the most attractive way to prune a crape myrtle. The scale insects will not kill the tree, but it can reduce the amount of flowers in the summer. I would use a soft brush with soapy water and clean the trunks, then spray with a dormant oil right now. In a few weeks you can use a systemic insecticide around the dripline of the tree to kill the insects. Here is a link to our fact sheet on this new pest problem (tinyurl.com/pem3395) that we are seeing from Little Rock southward. Each year we get more reports of this pest.
Q I have a very small Mexican petunia. When and where should I plant it? Is it invasive?
A Mexican petunia or ruellia is a drought-tolerant perennial for full sun. The standard variety can grow 3 feet tall or more and in the right conditions, can get a bit too happy and spread. The dwarf form commonly called "Katie" is much better behaved and a great perennial. I like both, but be aware of the standard one's spread.
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 03/19/2016