Now is best time to trim azaleas

By Walter Reeves

For the AJC

Q: When is a good time to cut back azaleas? When is a good time to transplant them?

-- Debbie Walker, e-mail

A: The very best time to trim azaleas is after flowering in spring. However, the best time to transplant is in fall, after the next year’s bloom buds have formed. I think it’s best to focus on the long term health of the shrub rather than worrying about losing next spring’s flowers. The best course is to trim your azaleas now, then transplant them, but know that there will be fewer flowers next spring.

Q: I have lots of dichondra weed growing in my St. Augustine lawn on the north side of the house in partial shade. It is spreading. What is the best approach to controlling it?

-- Tim Lewis, Elko, Ga.

A: If your St. Augustine grass is thinning in the shade, you’ll always have weed problems. Nature has a way of finding plants to grow in any environment. You will constantly fight dichondra, moss or creeping Charlie. Why not make your life easier and do something in the shady spot that will be attractive and less problematic? You could landscape with shade-loving plants like Lenten rose, hosta and ferns. Or you could do what I’m doing and plant dwarf mondo grass sprigs six inches apart in the shady area. Eventually the mondo grass will fill the area and give an evergreen grass-like effect.

Q: I have Japanese maple trees in pots on my elevated deck facing east. Can these survive winter on the deck or must I bring them inside at the first frost?

-- Jim Bloom, e-mail

A: Japanese maple trees should be perfectly winter-hardy outdoors but to be safe, pull the pots close to your house wall for root protection. Be sure the pots drain through the bottom and elevate them off the deck with bricks or pot feet. This prevents soggy roots and possible freeze damage to the pot.

Q: I have gnat-type flying insects swarming in my backyard. What type of insect would be flying this late in the year?

-- P. Opp, e-mail

A: My bet, based on experience from previous years, is that the things are the winged form of either green peach aphid or crapemyrtle aphid. For most of the year succeeding generations of these insects are wingless. In fall, winged individuals appear, the better to find mates. I know it is creepy to find them crawling on your neck as you walk outdoors but further chilly weather will soon take care of them.

Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on AM 750 and 95.5 FM News-Talk WSB from 6 to 10. Visit his website, www.walterreeves.com or join his Facebook Fan Page at xrl.us/wrfacebook for more garden tips.