Naked ladies (lilies) not appearing

By Walter Reeves

For the AJC

Q: I planted some naked lady lily bulbs two years ago. Every spring they put up beautiful foliage, but no blooms appear in late summer. Should I give up on them? Betty Roper, e-mail

A: Don’t give up, the unclothed beauties will eventually appear! Naked lady, Lycoris squamigera, (also known as surprise lily) grows foliage in spring. The leaves die in summer but the light pink flowers emerge in a rush in fall. Fertilize yours now with bulb food or any general purpose fertilizer. This will encourage strong leaf growth, which makes blooming likely next fall.

Q: We enjoy several gardenias in large pots, but they are becoming root bound. Is it advisable to put them in the ground next season? Peter Bardoul, e-mail

A: It depends on the variety. Gardenia jasminoides ‘Veitchii’ (florist gardenia) needs indoor protection in most winters. Beside a sunny garage window is a good spot. Florist gardenia placed in living spaces typically suffers leaf scorch due to dry air. On the other hand, varieties such as ‘August Beauty’, ‘Mystery’ and ‘Radicans’ can usually survive fine in a pot kept outdoors. Put them close to a north- or east-facing wall to give protection from wind. These last three also thrive in the landscape. ‘Pinwheel’ and ‘Kleim’s Hardy’ are even more cold-hardy.

Q: I just had several trees in the front yard removed and now I don't have any grass. It is full sun. What grass seeds should I plant? Jean Romain, Lithonia

A: If you have a sunny lawn, Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, centipede grass and St. Augustine grass are best, but there is no time to plant seed before fall arrives. Consider planting annual ryegrass now, till everything in May and then plant one of the above turf grasses. Get tips on planting lawn seed at xrl.us/lawnseed.

Q: For three years I've tried to turn my hard-packed red clay into a real garden. I've made progress doing "wormposting." I bury all our fruit and vegetable waste in holes in different areas of the garden. As the food rots, worms bring all their friends, and they feast. Can I do this around perennials and bulbs? Steve McPherson, e-mail

A: I think it’s a great idea! A good tool for the project is a bulb planter. You can make holes around the plants and put your scraps there. Truthfully, I’d wait to “wormpost” the bulbs until the foliage appears in spring. This would avoid the inevitable root damage if you dig around them in fall.

Q: I have seen the volunteers at DeKalb County’s Kittredge Park using a tool you loaned them to rip privet bushes out of the ground. Where did you get that wonderful instrument? Bill Lide, e-mail

A: I got the WeedWrench from www.weedwrench.com. As you saw, it grabs a bush at the base and converts a hearty tug into a mighty uprooting. They are heavy-duty tools, perfect for dealing with bushes and small trees that offend you.

Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on AM 750 and 95.5 FM News-Talk WSB from 6 to 10. Go to www.yoursoutherngarden.com for details on his TV show or visit his website, www.walterreeves.com.