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- Q.What Bushes Can Be Planted In Fall? - Colorful bushes
- Q.Plants Under Courtyard Olive Tree - Hello, your help would be much appreciated because we have run out of ideas! I live in Melbourne, Australia (which ...
- Q.Low Maintenance, Large Shrubs Ideas? - Hi, we are based in South West UK, have a south facing garden, no idea what soil type :) I ...
- Q.Fast Growing Fence Coverage - New unthoughtful neighbor pulled out 30-years of tree bush privacy fence leaving our backyard ‘naked.’ Read your recent newsletter and ...
- Q.Herbaceous Species That Would Grow In East Texas - This is for riparian management and enhancement
- Q.Best Type Of Grass To Grow In Durham NC - Our backyard is partially shaded in the afternoon. We have tried planting fescue and putting sod down but neither one ...
- Q.What Can I Plant In My Corner Patch After The Daffodils Crocuses And Snowdrops Have Died Down - what new flowers can I plant on top
Asked by
Anonymous on
November 24, 2024Q.What Bushes Can Be Planted In Fall?
Colorful bushes
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
November 25, 2024
Certified ExpertA.It is kind of late now to plant shrubs. September or October would give shrubs a chance to get established before cold weather.
You can plant anything in spring that you would have planted in fall. Here are some ideas for your zone 7:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-7/zone-7-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-7/zone-7-rose-varieties.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-7/zone-7-jasmine-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/flowering-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/full-sun-shrubs.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
December 26, 2024Q.Plants Under Courtyard Olive Tree
Hello, your help would be much appreciated because we have run out of ideas! I live in Melbourne, Australia (which has a Mediterranean climate) in a large apartment block with an open internal courtyard. See photo. We have 3 large planter boxes with healthy olive trees growing in them. The courtyard gets sunshine throughout the middle of the day for several hours. However we would like to grow some ground cover under the olives to cover the mulch. We have tried geraniums and herbs (thyme, parsley, etc) but they haven't survived either because it's too dry or too little direct sunshine or the soil type is wrong, - or something else! (the olives are watered from the base via water reservoirs around the perimeter of the plastic planter box). Do you have any suggestions?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
December 29, 2024
Certified ExpertA.The best thing you can do for the olive trees is leave mulch only. Any groundcover will just compete for nutrients and water. Digging around in the soil also can disturb the roots of the olive trees.
If you still want a groundcover, choose one that is perennial, rated for light shade (since it's under the tree canopy) and carefully try to plant without disturbing the trees' shallow root system. Here are some ideas:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/planting-garden-beneath-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Steve1987 on
February 9, 2025
BS25 1LAQ.Low Maintenance, Large Shrubs Ideas?
Hi, we are based in South West UK, have a south facing garden, no idea what soil type :) I am looking for some large evergreen bushes/shrubs that we can plant to fill this long large perimeter flower bed. Ideally I’m thinking 4 large shrubs/bushes that will grow quickly to fill the space, and require very little maintenance. Its quite a big garden, so need large bush / shrub variety It would also be nice if they flowered to provide some colour. Have to be dog and young child friendly. The empty bed is at least 15m long and 2m+ wide in places I’d love some suggestions! Thank you
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
February 9, 2025
Certified ExpertA.You’re area will be most similar to our USDA zone 8-9, so you’ve got good options for big, evergreen, low-maintenance shrubs. Try Camellia japonica (glossy leaves, winter-spring blooms), Choisya ternata (fast-growing, fragrant white flowers), Escallonia (tough, drought-tolerant, pink/red/white summer blooms), or Viburnum tinus (winter flowers, berries). All are dog/kid-friendly and will fill your space fast with minimal effort!
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Dan.mccue on
February 10, 2025
92677Q.Fast Growing Fence Coverage
New unthoughtful neighbor pulled out 30-years of tree bush privacy fence leaving our backyard ‘naked.’ Read your recent newsletter and fence suggestions. I need a fast growing plant to block for privacy. I live in So Cal near the beach. The soil in my available planter is clay mixed with mulch but beneath is heavy clay that cannot be amended. I have low and tall Eugenie remaining - but now in shock and defoliated. Desperately need fast fast growing shrub or plant to help shield view. Your article mentioned a HOLLY? Alternatively - any suggestions? I know about Arbor Vitae - my goal is to have ‘something’ by June - as my grandchildren use our pool frequently. Any suggestions will be appreciated. PS: Your publication is SUPERB Dan McCue Dana Point Ca.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
February 10, 2025
Certified ExpertA.Since you're in SoCal near the beach with heavy clay soil, you need something fast-growing, dense, and coastal-tolerant by June. Carolina Cherry Laurel or Hopseed Bush are great options. Waxleaf Privet and Pacific Wax Myrtle also work well, while Italian Buckthorn adds a dense, polished look. If you need instant privacy, mix in clumping bamboo like Bambusa textilis ‘Gracilis’ for a quick screen while shrubs fill in.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
February 14, 2025Q.Herbaceous Species That Would Grow In East Texas
This is for riparian management and enhancement
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
February 15, 2025
Certified Expert - Asked by
Anonymous on
February 18, 2025Q.Best Type Of Grass To Grow In Durham NC
Our backyard is partially shaded in the afternoon. We have tried planting fescue and putting sod down but neither one took. The sod was destroyed by grubs and no matter what we did, the grass died. In the attached picture you can see where the worse of it happened. Do you have ANY suggestions??
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
February 18, 2025
Certified ExpertA.You can try a mixture of tall fescue with shade tolerant varieties of Kentucky bluegrass. (80/20) A combination of grasses works better than just one variety. If you are tired of fighting lawn grass, you can use an alternative to grass.
For the grubs, you can apply milky spore to the lawn. These articles should help:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/selecting-and-managing-lawn-grasses-for-shade
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/carolina-lawns
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/what-is-milky-spore.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lawn-substitutes/lagen/lawn-substitutes-for-shade.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
February 20, 2025Q.What Can I Plant In My Corner Patch After The Daffodils Crocuses And Snowdrops Have Died Down
what new flowers can I plant on top
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
February 24, 2025
Certified ExpertA.Since it takes a while for them to die down, it is best to already have perennials planted nearby to help cover the browning leaves. You also can plant annuals after the leaves die back. Here are possibilities:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/full-sun-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/flowers-that-bloom-all-summer.htm
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