Question: I have a huge burning bush. The last few years I have been battling aphids. Last year I didn’t do anything and realized the problem wasn’t that bad after not spraying it with soapy water as usual. This year, however, they are incredibly bad. They seem to have taken over the entire bush, including […]
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Question: I have a pear tree that produces gnarled fruit that is impossible to eat. Is this something that can be treated or must I remove the tree? My research leans toward tree removal. Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Gnarled pears that are hard (never ripen) can be the symptom of several […]
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Question: Can Big Bluestem be grown in a 5 X 2.5 foot deep container or another size container? How many plants per container and what should the size be? I am looking to do this so the plants are not in the ground and become too invasive yet I want it for screening a neighbor. […]
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Question: We have a 12-foot tall Stewartia tree that has done well and flowered every year…except for this year. The upper half is dead. How can we save it? Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Stewartia is an awesome tree for year-round interest and a relatively recent addition to the Maine landscape. Technically they are […]
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Question: I have three spruces (weeping, dwarf Alberta, and dwarf blue) all within a few feet from each other in a dwarf conifer section of my garden. I’ve been told by a local tree service that the damage I see on them is due to Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid and Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid. I’ve […]
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Question: How can I eliminate Coltsfoot from my asparagus patch? I tried digging it out by the roots, but that made it spread more. It has also invaded my blueberry bushes. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Coltsfoot can be quite a pain when it gets established. Physical removal can help reduce the weed’s presence, […]
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Question: A few autumns ago, I planted two allium bulbs in my garden–a gladiator and schubertii. They’ve come up each year and seemed healthy. This year, both started to grow and then stopped, and all of the foliage shriveled up and died, including a flower bud that had already started on one. I know this […]
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Question: We are battling rugosa rose in our yard. We cut back and covered a 20 x 20 section with black plastic for two years. Now, we are not sure the best way to cover that area and prevent the rose, which is still nearby, from taking over again. We do not want to use […]
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Question: I have a white grub infestation in one of my perennial gardens. Am I safe to use nematodes without damaging my plants or harming bees? Everything I read supports the use of these beneficial organisms and that they are safe to both plants and animals and as long as I do not spray on […]
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Question: How do you properly care for Butterfly Weed? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant As you probably know, Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a close relative of the more well-known Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca); both are favored by many pollinators, especially the Monarch Butterfly. Please refer to the excellent resources listed below for information […]
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