Question: I would like to plant a serviceberry shrub/tree in my yard. Which serviceberry is best suited for pruning as a tree and where would I find it? Maine Audubon sells Amelanchier canadensis but none of the other varieties. Would this work as a small tree or are there local nurseries that would have other […]
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Question: I would like some recommendations on flowering bushes for deck privacy and also perennial flowers for plots. Previously theses plots have been planted with non local plants. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant We appreciate and approve of your interest in native plants! The Extension maintains several bulletin resources on Maine plants that can give […]
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Question: Will astilbe thrive under my Norway Maple at the outer edges where I can dig ? I’d like to place them between hostas that are thriving. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant It sounds like you are at least somewhat familiar with the challenges of growing other plants beneath Norway Maples. The trees send […]
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Question: I have just purchased a home and it already has four small raised beds in the front yard. I am new to home gardening, but I would love to get these ready for next planting/growing season. Is there anything special that I should be doing now in order to prepare for the spring (which […]
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Question: Hello, I am looking for an expert to come to my house and tell me what is wrong with both my raised beds and flower gardens. I’ve been trying to have raised beds for six years and am at my whits end. I’ve built a hügelkultur, pulled it all out, added new soil, kept […]
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Question: I created an elevated vegetable planter in a metal trough on legs. I lined it with black landscape cloth. The bottom of the trough has many circular punched out holes for drainage. I put in a mixture of purchased Coast of Maine container (2 parts) and Coast of Maine lobster compost (1 part). I […]
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Question: I’m looking for guidance on space management. We have a threadleaf falsecypress, planted in 2017, which is now 7-8′ tall and 6-7′ wide. It’s crowding two tom thumb cotoneasters, three false indigos and a viburnum that were all planted at the same time. Can the falsecypress be pruned? If so, how best is that […]
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Question: Can you help me explain why native plants from a nursery are better than native plants from box stores? The buy local topic is already understandable. I’m thinking more of quality of plants or other possible factors. Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional We want to encourage people to use whatever is […]
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Question: We are working to transform our yard to a native plant meadow. Several large patches of hawkweed are growing well. My reading says these are not native and invasive. Are they beneficial to pollinators? Do the benefits outweigh any harm? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional Sounds like a wonderful project! There […]
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Question: I want to ask if the cold weather we’ve been having could be impacting the reemergence of my tulips and early spring bulbs. Last year it was bursting with color – tulips, daffodils, etc. this year there is very little. I have not done anything differently. Could it be the weather? Is there still […]
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