The plants/gardening thread!

[PaintTheTownRed]

I'm in the planning phase right now. I have a garden that attracts birds and hummingbirds but this year I want to add more plants that will attract butterflies too. I may also add a crabapple tree, I haven't quite figured out what I want to do yet this year. We had really cold weather this year here in Los Angeles and I think I lost my bougainvillea and night jasmines So I may have to replace them.

[Mira]

I have three words to say right now: I.HATE.SLUGS.

[Lobelia]

I'm in the process of going around & pulling out dead leaves from the beds, weeding & adding new mulch. Started some veggie seeds in peat pots. My lawn (if you can call it that) always looks hideous this time of year because I've never been preemptive with weeds, so right now I have 40% weeds, 40% grass & 20% bald patches. Ugh.

I moved (ha ha, had my husband move, actually) a very well-established purple plum tree because the deer have eaten it into a terrible shape. Moved it into the fenced back yard. Problem is, the best growth is precisely what needs to be cut off, in order to encourage a better shape.

Lost one hydrangea & one azalea over the winter.

I do have some pretty blooms going on - from left to right, jasmine that has overgrown its spot, so I have a problem... veronica with blue blooms (love it), almond bush with pink blooms & blue phlox .



Here is my beloved forest pansy redbud

[Sojiita]

Yes the Forest Pansy Redbud is a beauty! They have a weeping twisting Redbud called 'Lavender Twist' that is a real beauty too! I bet you could grow good peaches there too. My Apricots should be blooming soon.

[Lobelia]

I'll try fruit eventually, Sojita. When I get a little braver

[shedevilang]

ok i'm dumb when it comes to plants or anysuch mrshedevil bought me a pair of pink dogwood trees last mother's day they are still small when will they bloom? and what if anything do i need to do to keep them alive?

[Lobelia]

They won't bloom for a while, yet. Maybe a few years, depending on their size. Are they in the ground or in pots? If they're in the ground, make sure they get a very long watering a couple times a week. Short shallow waterings won't encourage the roots to go deep (which is what you want.) Fertilize them in the Spring (now ) If your soil is decent, and you planted them in the correct light, that's all you need to do.

[shedevilang]

thanks, they are in the ground and mrshedevil put some pvc pipes down to the roots so they get watered bettered because we had such a dry summer and winter so I guess they are ok. I can't wait to see them bloom

[Lobelia]

Are they as tall as you?

[shedevilang]

oh no they are only about 3ft tall right now

[Lobelia]

Ok, well no blooming just yet

[Zee]

I have 2 5 year old cherry trees that have never bloomed. Does anybody have any suggestions?

[Mira]

TreeHelp.com: Trees: Species: Cherry: Care

Hi zorbeet, I looked this up because I'm curious too about some trees in my yard. It says good soil, pruning and good sunny location with good drainage and air circulation. I would think my super-duper trusty Maxsea Sea Kelp fertilizer would help.. probably the "acid-loving formula" (acid-loving plants love a slightly acidic soil).

[Zee]

Thanks. I'll try out some different fertilizer this year. They are in a good sunny location

[Mira]

I just thought of something else... doesn't it take some fruit trees a few years before the blooms start producing fruit? Of course, you said it hasn't even bloomed yet.