Q I bought an arbor and planted a jasmine on each side this summer. They have done so well, and it has been so much fun to watch their growth to the top. My question is: What will happen this winter? I presumed the plants will survive, but what about the vines on the arbor? All these vines seem like they would be vulnerable to freezing. What would you suggest? We have joined the iPad readers and much to my surprise, my husband has taken it over. It works so well, but I get stuck when trying to use the computer. I wouldn't miss your weekly article and the daily Bobby Wolfe bridge column.
A There are two common vines called jasmine — Carolina jasmine or jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), an evergreen vine with yellow flowers, and Confederate or star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), an evergreen vine with fragrant white blooms. Neither are true jasmines but look similar, thus the common names. Both are winter hardy in central Arkansas and should make it through a winter with no damage. That being said, if it is a colder than normal winter and the vines are out in the open on an arbor, there could be some dieback. If it happens, just prune it off, and the plants will rebound. It will limit the blooming a bit for that season if it was nipped hard, but that has not been a problem in recent years. I am glad you joined the iPad brigade and are loving it. I am trying to add pictures with each of my questions now so that you can see the plants we are talking about. Hope this helps.
Q Could you tell me what kind of tree this is? I saw it in Kansas.
A The tree in question is a bald cypress. It is one of the few conifers or cone-bearing trees that is deciduous, so it drops its needles every year. Bald cypress trees are good in wet areas because they can put up knees that allow them to breathe, but they don't need wet areas to grow. They are large trees at maturity.
Q This is growing prolifically in my parents' front yard. They have fescue and don't treat the lawn with chemicals. I think it's an invasive weed but I can't find what it could be. My parents don't really mind it, but it is really spreading and they are a little concerned it will soon take over the whole front yard. Do you know what this plant is and should they treat it, and if so, what with? Or should they just leave it alone?
A The plant in question is dichondra. It is actually used as a lawn in coastal regions but does not take traffic well, nor cold weather. In Arkansas, the green form is a weed, while the silver-foliaged form is an annual foliage plant — it will not overwinter. You can control the weed with the common three-way herbicides (2,4-D + dicamba + MCPP). Two applications about 30 days apart will be needed. Oftentimes, fescue is not dense this late in the season due to hot weather, unless you live in the northern part of Arkansas. If the turf is thin, it is even more inviting for the dichondra and other weeds to invade. Good luck.
Q I bought this plant from the Conway Arkansas Master Gardeners' sale about five years ago ... I was asking for "wild ginger" and was given this ... anyway, it is a tall (about 3 feet or more) plant with large, well-spaced leaves. It is blooming now for the first time ever. I am attaching a photo of the blooms ... they smell exactly like gardenias. I have it planted in partial shade ... probably not the best option for it ... maybe that's why it is just now blooming. Anyway, can you tell me what the plant is? I can't find it in my Don Kurz book ... so I'm guessing it isn't a native plant. If it needs to be replanted in a sunnier location, when is the best time for me to do this?
A Common names often get us into trouble. This plant is commonly called ginger — "butterfly ginger" even more commonly; Hedychium coronarium is the Latin name. It is a wonderful, late-blooming, fragrant perennial, but it is not native. It is native to India and southern China. The plant you were looking for is Asarum, also commonly called ginger. There are native and non-native asarums, but they are more ground-hugging low perennials for light to heavy shade. Some are evergreen and some are deciduous. Butterfly ginger (Hedychium) does best in full morning sun and afternoon shade, or in filtered sun. It will multiply over time but is a much larger plant than Asarum. I think they are both great "gingers" if you have room for both.
Retired after 38 years with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Janet Carson ranks among Arkansas' best known horticulture experts. Her blog is at arkansasonline.com/planitjanet. Write to her at P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203 or email
jcarson@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 09/14/2019