In the Garden

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Butterfly Illustration
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Butterfly Illustration

Q Have you any news on Monarchs passing through? I have only seen one this year. I have butterfly weed and other flowering plants they like. Last year we had Monarch caterpillars and were thrilled to watch them through their entire cycle. But we have seen nothing so far this year. I live in Sherwood.

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Peppervine

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Passionvine

A They were late arriving in my garden this year, but I started seeing larvae and butterflies in mid-September and this past weekend I saw plenty of butterflies in my garden and neighbor's yards. I hope you are experiencing the same. Plant a diverse mix of flowers for butterflies and bees, and monitor your pesticide usage.

Q Our Euonymus (I think) shrubs are being attacked and killed by something [pictures attached]. It spreads from one shrub to the next, killing it. We are planning to replace them with something else. Do we need to treat the soil and mulch before planting something else? If so, what?

A I would take one of the dying plants into your local county extension office. You need some of the roots as well as the top part -- preferably one that shows various stages of dying. They can send it off to the disease diagnostic lab to determine the cause of death. This should help you decide what to replant or if there is a problem with the site. Euonymus plants are quite susceptible to scale insects that should not affect other plant families, but normally that situation doesn't move from one plant slowly -- they all usually get it at once. So investigate and find out what is happening before buying more plants.

Q I have a holly bush coming up in a flower bed. When can I dig it up to transplant to another area?

A The best time of year to transplant shrubs or trees is when they go dormant, normally November through February. While they are dormant, they go through less shock of transplant. Young seedlings that pop up can be moved when you see them, but avoid summer months when it is hot and dry as it would be hard to keep them watered enough to help them re-establish.

Q On a recent trip, I saw kudzu growing rather heavily on U.S. 65 south of Marshall. Are there concerns of the kudzu spreading to other areas in Arkansas? Is there a program to destroy it?

A Take a drive through southeast Arkansas, Mississippi and other Southern states and you will see acres of kudzu blanketing the roadsides. Kudzu was introduced to the United States during the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 by the Japanese, but its real spread came when government agencies started promoting its planting for erosion control. Common names include "mile-a-minute vine" and "the vine that ate the South." Eradication is difficult since it is quite tenacious. Cold weather takes its toll, which limits its spread in northern counties in Arkansas and Northern states.

Q Every summer we have wild vines that grow along and up the fence row of our Altheas (Rose of Sharon). The vines are invasive, and grow as tall or taller than the fence row. The stem is woody. As you can see from the pictures, the leaves are very dark green and the shape resembles a holly leaf, although not heavy in texture. The vine has berries that start off pale and turn dark purple. The birds don't seem to care for the berries. Any idea what this vine is?

A The vine in question is commonly called peppervine (Ampelopsis arborea). It is quite prolific once it starts and the plants can reseed from the fruits and send up root suckers as well. Pull it out when you see it early in the season to prevent too much spread.

Q Can you help me identify a vine, growing wild, with heart-shaped leaves, purple and white frilly flowers and oval green pods?

A I would guess passionvine (Passiflora incarnata) without seeing a picture. Above is an example. They have egg-shaped fruit loaded with seeds and a very detailed bloom.

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 10/08/2016

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