Garden letters

Southern Living, Jan 2003

Editor's Notebook

Hey, everyone, I have a favor to ask. Could each of you visit my garden this week and cover my flowerbeds with dollar bills? What do you mean, that's a waste of money? You weren't worried about money when you raked all your leaves into the gutter last fall. Those leaves are USDA Prime organic matter, the kind of stuff you'll pay big bucks for at the garden center this spring. Cheapo that I am, I never waste fallen leaves. Instead, I rake them into huge piles, gleefully run over them twice with my mulching mower, and then place them between perennials and shrubs in my planting beds. The chopped leaves make an attractive mulch that doesn't blow or wash away. As they break down, they turn into nutritious soil that keeps my plants fat and happy. Best of all, I feel at peace with my conscience knowing I'm saving precious landfill space for more deserving garbage. So if you'd like to feel better about yourself, chop up your leaves-or send me some dollar bills. -STEVE BENDER

My gardenias are approximately 6 to 7 feet tall. When is the best time to prune them? MARTHA R. JOHNSON * GLENCOE, ALABAMA

You can either prune them now or wait until after they finish their main bloom in early summer. Shorten the branches to the length you want, but always cut back to an outward-facing bud or another branch.

My office needs brightening with a tall foliage plant. Know of any houseplants that like low light? My ceiling lights are fluorescent and weren't strong enough for the ficus tree I tried. SUSAN L. STACEY

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

Before we answer, let us just say how proud we are that you asked us instead of fellow Minnesotan Garrison Keillor ofA Prairie Home Companion. Was it because your plant might have died before Garrison finished his answer? In any case, while no houseplant we can think of prefers low light, some tolerate it. Because you are looking for something tall, give corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) a try. You can get this at just about any garden center or nursery. Overwatering is a common problem with plants grown in low light, so be sure the pot has a drainage hole. Let the soil go dry between thorough waterings.

We have a large silver maple in our yard about 10 to 12 feet from a wide path. Last summer, we noticed tree roots had begun to surface. Now there are dozens of 2-inch roots across the path, making walking uncomfortable. What can be done without removing the tree? SHELLEY THOMAS

AMITE, LOUISIANA

Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is one of those trees that naturally develop surface roots over time. (Others are beech, Southern magnolia, poplar, weeping willow, and dawn redwood.) As you don't want to remove the tree, the alternative is to remove the roots from the walk. The amount of root loss shouldn't hurt a healthy silver maple. To keep roots from invading the path again, line it with steel edging placed about 6 inches deep in the soil. You can get it at home centers.

When should I plant roses, and how do I take care of them? CHRISTIAN RILEY

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

You can plant them any time the ground isn't frozen. Perhaps the best time is now during the dormant season, as this allows them to start growing roots before summer heat and drought arrive. Select a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil that has plenty of organic matter. Most roses are susceptible to a fungus called black spot, which causes their leaves to yellow and drop. Plant resistant selections such as 'Bonica,' 'Carefree Beauty,' 'Carefree Wonder,' 'Dream Pink,' and 'Dream Yellow.' Or spray with a systemic fungicide such as Funginex or Immunox. For more tips, see the rose section in The Southern Living Garden Book.

Tip of the Month

I use a black felt-tip marker and a yardstick to mark the handles of my garden tools (trowels, weeders, hoes, shovels, etc.) in 6-inch increments. Now I can easily estimate depths and distances. DORIS J. STARLING

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND