Lenten rose does fine in a pot

By Walter Reeves

For the AJC

Q:  Would Lenten rose thrive through winter in pots outside on a covered porch? -- Linda Jarrell, Haralson County

A: Lenten rose should be fine in a 12-inch or larger pot. Be sure the pot is supported off the porch floor so it drains after watering. Fertilize lightly in spring. One of my favorite hellebore cultivars is ‘Ivory Prince’. It has ivory white blooms initially but they turn an intense lime green after a few weeks. It’s really a show-stopper when planted in a shady street-side bed.

Q: We would like to do much of the work for our landscaping but we need a solid plan. How do we get someone to make up a plan and refer us to someone to do the really heavy work? -- Greg Kreis, e-mail

A: One of the best ways is to attend a meeting of the Georgia Perennial Plant Association (www.georgiaperennial.org). Meetings are free and open to the public. If you ask the person at the registration table, they will send you to several people in attendance to get their recommendations. Another idea is to attend spring garden tours. Many of the homes on display have used the services of this region’s gifted garden designers. I have more suggestions on choosing a landscape designer at xrl.us/chooselandscaper.

Q: I planted fescue seed two weeks ago.  Near the patio I put a thick layer of straw to keep my dog from destroying the seedlings. Looking under the straw I see grass growing.  Should I remove some of the straw? -- Jerry Hoxter, e-mail

A: The best application rate for wheat straw is one bale per 1,000 square feet or enough to give 50 percent coverage of the soil. Since you can see new grass growing, carefully remove most of the straw to expose seedlings to more sunlight. If the area is not huge you can cover it with chicken wire for a few days to prevent dog damage.

Q: I bought a potted dwarf palmetto and noticed there are three plants in the container. Can these be separated? -- Helen Justus, e-mail

A: I don’t see why not. Soak the rootball in a bucket of water and gentle pull the stems apart. Dwarf palmetto likes full sun to part shade in soil that dries quickly after rain. They are tough plants but the easiest way to kill one is to plant it in heavy clay soil.

Q: We have five-year-old hemlock trees. How do I fertilize them? -- Maureen Clo, e-mail

A: Hemlocks do best with slow-release fertilizers like cottonseed meal or composted chicken manure. For cottonseed meal (6-2-1 analysis), spread eight pounds per 100 square feet  over the root zone of the trees. Early spring is the best time to fertilize, just before new growth begins.

Listen to Walter Reeves 6-10 a.m. Saturdays on AM 750 and now 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB. Go to www.gardeningingeorgia.com for details on his TV show or visit www.walterreeves.com.