Variety of milkweeds grow here

By Walter Reeves

For the AJC

Q: On a recent trip to Massachusetts I saw milkweed pods ready to burst. Is it possible to grow milkweed down here? — John Ferreira, Ocilla

Enlarge photo

Jason Pierce White milkweed is just one of many milkweeds that readily grow in Georgia.

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A: Garden designer Shannon Pable (www.shannonpable.com) pointed me to the Web site of Monarchs Across Georgia, which boasts a list of 23 milkweeds that grow here (xrl.us/monarchs). All the plants need is full sunshine and soil that stays moderately moist. Milkweed is a perennial plant. You can plant seeds in late spring, making sure to expose the seeds to 24 hours of sunshine before sowing. You can also root cuttings from established plants in late June.

Q: I purchased a potted ‘Tuscan Blue’ rosemary last winter and kept it inside until spring. I planted it outside in full sun. Now that cooler weather is here, I am concerned about how it will take colder temperatures. 
 — Gayle Cole, Cumming

A: Rosemary is completely hardy in Atlanta and environs. No protection is needed. I’m intrigued with the many forms of rosemary plants. ‘Tuscan Blue,’ ‘Barbeque’ and ‘Athens Blue Spires’ are strongly upright. ‘Irene,’ ‘Huntington Blue’ and ‘Prostratus’ cascade over low walls. The light blue flowers occur repeatedly throughout the summer. Rosemary likes sandy, well-drained soil and full sunshine. Your ‘Tuscan Blue’ can be shaped as needed as long as you never cut back into the brown, leafless interior.

Q: I bought a beautiful ‘Mona Lavender’ at the beginning of the summer and have managed not to kill it. I would love to keep it alive until next spring. — Janet Ballard

A: ‘Mona Lavender’ plectranthus is a beautiful plant! It was developed in South Africa and has been available for only a few years.It’s not winter hardy, but you can cut it back to a comfortable size and bring it indoors each fall. It is also easy to take cuttings and root them in a cup of moist potting soil put in a warm, sunny window. Remember that ‘Mona Lavender’ blooms in response to shortening nights. This means it naturally puts out flowers starting in September each year. The heavily flowering plants sold at nurseries in spring have been artificially forced into bloom.

Q: Your seasonal calendar (xrl.us/lawncalendar) says that the third week of October is the last time to mow Bermuda. Would it hurt the lawn if I mow periodically to clean up leaves? — Mark Felski, Dacula

A: Mowing when the grass is not growing leads to broken stems, possible ruts and bare spots in the grass. If you vary the pattern each time, you should be OK to mow a few times to shred your leaves.

Q: Is the last weekend of October too late to plant fescue seed? — Joe Pressey, Birmingham

A: Your soil temperature will determine success. Fescue needs a minimum of 50 degrees to germinate. In your area, that typically occurs in the first week of November. In Atlanta, it happens the last week of October. The best time to plant fescue seed is in September but sod can be laid anytime. Keep your fingers crossed: Your seed will likely be very slow to germinate.

Listen to Walter Reeves from 6 to 10 Saturday mornings on NewsTalk 750 WSB-AM. Visit his Web site, www.walterreeves.com, for detailed advice on Georgia gardening.