A. Most likely, you are feeding it too much nitrogen with Miracle-Gro, causing lots of green growth but no flowers. Do not use any more Miracle-Gro, but use something with “bloom” in its name, or an analysis like 3-9-18. Do not use any fertilizer in the winter to give the plant a “rest.” Keep it in the sunniest spot in your home. Gardenias are difficult to keep healthy indoors, so check it regularly for insects. By doing these things, your gardenia should be more inclined to bloom.
Q. We have a wooded back yard. Two of our trees have ivy growing most of the way up their trunks. Is the ivy harmful to the trees? Will it choke the limbs once it gets up into them? I have heard different opinions and wanted to know what you think. — BARBARA TINDALL, STRASBURG
A. Larry Wittig, estate manager of Conestoga House and Gardens, says when ivy grows up trees, it’s appealing to the eye but not good for the tree. Ivy roots actually dig into the tree bark and trunk, robbing it of nutrients. At the charming Conestoga House and Gardens, ivy is not allowed to grow on the trees. Many arborists today say that ivy on the tree can cause the trunk to rot and weaken so the tree blows over in a storm.
Q. Little did we know when we planted a trumpet vine over our garden-gate trellis just how invasive it would become in a few short years. Digging it up wherever it shoots up does not help for long. We now want to remove it from our flower garden because it is springing up everywhere and out of control. We would appreciate your telling us how we can remove it. We certainly do enjoy reading your column. — CHARLOTTE AND DAVID NEUER, LANCASTER
A. Many gardeners become enchanted with trumpet vine, for it is said to draw more hummingbirds than any other flower. What they often do not know, as has been your experience, is that it’s terribly invasive. Every seed that drops from its many blooms will sprout into a new vine. First, cut the vine off at ground level, and when it dries up, pull it off your trellis and garbage it. Then dig out the roots, shake off the soil and into the garbage it goes. For the many seedlings, a couple of shots of Roundup should give them a death penalty. Just to be safe, I’d spray the inside of the hole where the roots were to make sure you don’t get new sprouts.
GARDEN CUTTINGS
As you observe mildew and fungus growth on lilacs, phlox and other plants this time of year, remember that good air circulation is important to plant health. Always try to place plants where they get some wind.
Bob Stiffler is a freelance columnist whose column appears every Thursday. He lives in Willow Street. Send your gardening questions to: Bob Stiffler, c/o Your Life, P.O. Box 1328, Lancaster, PA 17608-1328. Letters are edited only for brevity and will be printed in the order received.
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