Question:  I recently planted (with seeds) a wildflower garden. Can I put wood ashes over the garden now? Should I wait until the plants start growing?

Answer: Wood ashes will make the soil alkaline. Before applying wood ashes you need to do a soil test and compare it to the requirements of the wildflowers you are growing. Many wildflowers like acid (not alkaline) soil. If you decide to use wood ashes, I would not apply them now when the seeds are just sprouting and the wildflowers are young. Instead, apply in late fall or very early winter when the plants are going dormant and the wood ashes can work themselves in to the soil over the winter.

Question: I was hoping you may be able to give me some information on the Boulevard Cypress Pom Pom. Specifically, I would like to know the growth rate, average height and width and if this may be a good plant for around the foundation. I purchased my town home a year ago and am planting shrubs around the foundation for the first time. Although, I like the appearance of the Blvd. Cypress Pom Pom, I am not sure if it will suit my needs. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Question: The new growth on many of the plants in my yard looks twisted and curled. In addition the growth on several of my roses is ferny. The leaves are smaller and divided into small sections. I noticed this even before I noticed the other problem. What is going on in my yard? What should I do to keep the problem from spreading?

The ferny rose growth is caused by a virus and is spread plant to plant by aphids. You can try to cut off the infected canes at the base. Sometimes you catch it in time and the rose will re-grow properly. However, if the rose is mostly infected or re-grows again with ferny growth, I would dig out and destroy the rose to prevent the virus from spreading to your other roses. You should try and save only a very valuable rose that is irreplaceable or one in which only one or two of the canes are infected. When in doubt, destroy the infected rose.

Question: I planted a Wisteria 5 years ago and it still hasn't bloomed. The plant is now huge and must cover about 50 feet of my fence. Why won't my Wisteria bloom?

Answer: There are seed grown Wisterias that are known to be decades old that have absolutely refused to bloom. That's why I encourage people to buy cutting grown or grafted Wisteria propagated from stock that is known to bloom at a young age. These plants cost a little more but they are well worth it. Wisterias will sometimes not bloom because they are grown in too much shade or pruned too late in the season. If neither is true in your case, often Wisteria can be shocked into blooming by following this procedure: Feed now generously with Triple Super Phosphate and sever a couple of the largest roots with an axe.

Question: I have the Dogwood kousa rosabella which is now blooming. It is about 5 years old and should soon be pruned. When should it be pruned and what and when should it be fed? Thank you.

Answer: Prune between mid-January and mid-February. Fertilize with cottonseed meal and kelp meal at the end of February or in early March. Feed again at the end of November.

Question: This spring, less than a quarter of our usual amount of tulips appeared. They are planted all among daffodils, and it seems that the usual amount and variety of daffodils showed up this year. Any ideas on what could have happened to the tulips? Thank you!

Answer: I suspect rodents, pine voles, ate them over the winter. They love tulips, but never eat daffodils. Check for silver dollar-sized holes in the area. If you find holes, bait with Ramik daily until the rodents stop taking the bait, usually about 2 weeks. Place the bait next to the holes, not down in them, so you will know if they are taking the bait. Cover the bait and the hole with an inverted flower pot saucer held down by a brick for several reasons; to keep the bait dry, to encourage the voles to take it and to keep pets from ingesting the bait.