No fragrant crapemyrtles

By Walter Reeves

For the AJC

Q: Are there any fragrant varieties of crapemyrtles?

-- Mark Martin, Hart County

A: Some gardeners claim to detect a faint scent but I don’t believe any crapemyrtle could be called “fragrant." In my view, this is a good thing because folks would plant even more of these beautiful, ubiquitous, indestructible plants than they do now. The key decision with crapemyrtles is to know how large it grows before you plant it. Too many have outgrown their original spot and are mercilessly hacked back each winter. I’ve collected links to information about crapemyrtle selection and care at xrl.us/crapemyrtle.

Q: I planted a scrawny Japanese maple two years ago, digging a hole only a little bigger that the root ball. Now I'm worried it will not grow well due to the hard soil around the roots. Any options?

-- Peter Jacobi, e-mail

A: You can aerate and stimulate the root zone while the tree is in place. Mix a cup of Milorganite with a bag of soil conditioner in a wheelbarrow. Spread the mix in a thin layer over the root zone of your maple. Use a spading fork or pitchfork to repeatedly jab the soil deeply around the root area, wiggling the tool after each jab so some of the top-dressing material falls into the holes. Repeat in three months and twice again next year. The maple will then have a very good root zone without having to replant it.

Q: The liriope at our subdivision entrance has not been cut back and looks tattered. Is it too late in the year to prune it back?

-- Robyn Bish, Stockbridge

A: I wouldn’t mow it down now but if it's not a terribly big patch, you can use hedge trimmers to cut off the brown leaves just above the new growth. Fertilize and water afterwards and the resulting new growth will hide the clipped leaves.

Q: How many citronella plants are needed for maximum mosquito protection in a backyard?

-- Anita Foster, e-mail

A: Despite the claims, citronella plants do not repel mosquitoes. Citronella grass, Cymbopogon nardus, and citrosa (scented geranium) contain citronella oil, which does repel mosquitoes. However, the plants don’t release enough oil into the air to repel insects. You could crush the leaves and rub the juice on your skin but you might get an allergic reaction from other components of the sap. On a deck or patio, a raised oscillating fan can protect a large area. Otherwise, applying mosquito repellents that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon-eucalyptus to exposed skin is best.

Q: We want to use Confederate jasmine vines to grow up and trail over our garage doors. Can we successfully grow them in pots?

-- Steve Francesconi, e-mail

A: Confederate jasmine can be quite robust so I'd opt for the biggest container you can fit in the space, with a 24-by-24-inch minimum pot size for one vine. Watering will be the main issue because once the vine is large, it will transpire lots of moisture each day through its leaves. Make it a habit to check the container soil dampness daily in summer and soak it as necessary.

Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on AM 750 and 95.5 FM News-Talk WSB. Visit his website, www.walterreeves.com, or join his Facebook Fan Page at xrl.us/wrfacebook for more garden tips.