Cosmos Six Packs

Question from Rebecca: First of all, I LOVE your month-by-month gardening book–it is the most helpful gardening book in my collection! Secondly, while cosmos from seed do fine for me, I have had trouble getting them to flourish from six packs. I’ve...

Replacement for Oleanders

Question from Debbie: I live in east Oceanside. My oleanders, which help block the view from my neighbor’s yard, have all died (from a virus I believe). What are some replacement options for them? I want to block the view (6+ feet tall) and have...

Invasive Roots

Question from Carolyn: I’m trying to figure out what plant in my back yard is causing the problem of invasive roots. The roots seem to be everywhere and any time I need to dig it makes the job extremely difficult. I have queen palms, pigmy palms...

French Marigolds Work Against Nematodes

Some, but not all, marigolds suppress root knot nematodes and lesion nematodes. (Don’t use Signet marigolds [Tagetes tenuifolia], for example, since these have the opposite effect and are a host to nematodes, allowing them to proliferate and increase...

Wisteria

Question from Robin: Was reading in your So. Cal. Organic Gardening about Wisteria. You mentioned cutting unwanted young shoots down to two buds from May onward. Is it to late to trim them now? I know Wisteria is a light feeder but yours look so glorious!...

Budworms on Geraniums and Mildew Resistant Zinnias

Question from Bob: Well, I picked off 175 budworms from 16 geraniums over 4 weeks, and then gave up – they didnt seem to abate at all. Only as this last generation completed their cycle and the weather turned colder, did my geraniums finally recover....

Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus)

Question from Bob: I have another question for you: can you identify the striking bush in the attached photo? Answer from Pat: The plant in the photograph is weeping bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis), a shrub or tree native to Australia. Bottlebrushes...

Growing Lilac (Syringea vulgaris) in Southern California

Question from Rachel: First things first: Pat, I asked you a question about fruit trees a while ago, and you sent the most thoughtful, detailed message with a host of helpful suggestions, including a recommendation for Bearss lime trees. I managed to...

Sick Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Question from Connie: I have yellow flower hibiscus on the sides of my garage door.(Southern CA) One has nice green leaves and the other has yellowing leaves. The soil is the same. Any suggestions? Answer from Pat: Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)...

How to Prune Perennials

Question from Carla: I have several perennials in my very small garden and I am not sure when or if I should cut them back. I live in Southern California. Some of my plants are Mexican heather, calibrachoa, and Marguerite daisy. Answer from Pat: People...

Old Time White, Fragrant Freesias

Question from Linda: I enjoyed your bulb lecture yesterday. Do you think this site really has the old time fragrant freesia bulb? http://www.oldhousegardens.com/display.aspx?prod=DI23 I used to have it in my old La Jolla house until we remodeled and...

Dahlia Imperialis

Question from Cynthia: Hi Pat – I didn’t know till now that you are in Del Mar. I grew up in Cardiff in the 1950s and ’60s, and I honestly believe there is no more perfect place on earth (and I’ve been around!). I’m...

Plumeria blooms

Question from Kila: I have a potted plumeria that i’ve had for many many years and have yet to see it bloom. I’ve tried several fertilizers and even pruned and planted the cuttings. It gets plenty of sun but i’ve also moved it to...

Pruning for Fortnight Lily (Dietes iridioides, D. bicolor)

Question from Karen: I love the flowers of fortnight lily but after many years in the ground mine have grown large. Not only are the clumps huge but some of the leaves have gotten brown and messy-looking with dead foliage and debris mixed in with fresh...