Q The April 7 freeze looks like it killed the bright red 1- to 2-inch new growth on my crape myrtles in Benton. How much will this set back new growth? When can I expect to see any new growth?
A The cold weather caused many plants to get nipped, some worse than others. I think here in central Arkansas the plants should already be rebounding. If you don't see it now, after a few more warm, sunny days you should see new leaves beginning to pop. We were already having a late spring, so it will delay the first blooms by a bit, but not by much.
Q I purchased a house that has liriope planted on both sides of a sidewalk. I'd like to move the liriope to another location but not if it is the invasive, spreading variety. Based on information from the neighbors I believe that it was planted 20-plus years ago and I assume that the plants would have been no larger than 5-inches in diameter. The rows of liriope are now 24-inches wide and I do not see any "volunteers" that are outside the rows. Is it safe to assume that it is the tidy variety? I'd hate to dig it up, divide it and plant it in another location only to see it spring up (unwanted) in other parts of my yard.
A I would definitely say you have the well-behaved variety (Liriope muscarii). The invasive one (L. spicata) would have blanketed your entire yard after 20 years. The muscarii variety is a clumping one where the clump enlarges each year, while the spicata is a runner which produces lots of small plants, but no large clumps.
Q My son purchased three roses from Walmart last spring. He planted them in a very big plastic pot. I've just moved to an apartment and brought them with me. The pot is very old and deteriorating. I want to replant them in a more sturdy pot but don't know when to do this. They are full of buds and will be blooming soon. Also what sort of soil should I use, regular potting soil or something else?
A Repot them as needed. It often helps to repot roses when you prune them in late February through early March (and all roses do need to be pruned every year). The reason to repot then is there will be fewer thorns to deal with, since you have just reduced the size. You can still repot now, but wear gloves to protect yourself from the thorns. Typically we used a bagged potting soil for containers to keep it lightweight and prevent weeds and diseases that can come with garden soil.
Q I have pictures -- which I don't know how to send -- of a variety of plants, including daisies, lilies, roses, and monkey grass all with white spots and withering sedum. My whole beautiful spring yard is diseased, I guess. Help!
A Whenever I hear of similar damage occurring on such a wide range of plants, I usually rule out any type of insect or disease. While there are insects and diseases that can attack a wide range of plants, rarely will they attack all plants at the same time and in the same way. My guess, without seeing pictures, is you have some cold damage or chemical damage. We have seen a wide range of plants that got nipped by the two weekends with temperatures at or below freezing depending on where you live in the state. Most of the plants you mentioned should rebound if it was cold damage. Folks who had already planted tomatoes, basil, impatiens or lantana, will have to replant.
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 04/28/2018