Cynthia's Inbox

I am surprised that you haven't had an answer from one of the USA members. I don't know about your climate, but over here, I would advise waiting until the rose is dormant and then pruning it half-back and re-planting. Get as much of the rootball out as you can. Make sure it is well-firmed in. Prune again and give it a good feed in the spring and it should take off again!

Well, hibicusses respond very well to pruning. I always prune mine in winter or after flowering. But given the right climate hibiscusses should flower all year round, but never in abundancy and also: a flower only lasts one day!

What zone are you in? Temperature affects flowering for hibiscus. It is a tropical plant. The most common reason for not setting buds, given a warm environment, is not enough water. Rose of Sharon is very hardy - fertilize, water more - good luck!

Could they also be too dry or not getting enough light?

I found that one set of impatiens I bought this year definitely prefer more sun than the others - they too got scraggly and few blooms until I moved them. Impatiens can be rooted in water. You can clip off 2-3 inches from the end of scraggly branches, trim off bottom leaves and root in a few days. This makes the original plants bushier, and you use the new ones to fill in, start baskets etc. Fertilize now, of course.

It is quite common practice to remove the first flower buds and to pinch out the growing tips of young impatiens plants to make them put all their energy into growing bushier.

Mine have, too. I am removing leaves frequently even on a new plant this year. What a pain!

I have an animal repellent spray, it stopped the rabbits from eating my Alyssum earlier this year. Can you buy such a thing where you are? Worth looking for.

My Hollyhocks have a lot of rust too. I spray and take off badly affected leaves, but I don't get rid of the problem. I have started with new seeds again this year to flower next year. I will get rid of old plants when they finish flowering, and will save seed from these too. I don't know whether it depends on local conditions or the strain of Hollyhocks as to whether they get rust or not, but so far all of mine have had it.

Holly Hocks suffer badly from rust, mine get it. You need to sparay with a fungus spray, and you will need to remove any leaves that are badly affected. Sometimes if it gets really bad you have to destroy the plant and start again!

One word answer - NEIGHBOURS! Ask them nicely and bring them back a small gift. Have you got someone who could help you?

Soak overnight, keep moist until they germinate. Moonflowers open in the evening, and are often inter-planted with Morning Glory which opens in the morning. All day blooms in the same space!

There are so many! As well as hardy Geraniums - Salvias, Penstemons, smaller Asters. Aquilegia, Coreopsis, Geums, Campanula, Erigerons, hardy Verbenas and Lavenders. Add some grasses too - Carex, for example, and Festuca glauca, and sow annuals like Calendulas, Nigella, Escholzia, and Godetia. What fun to create a border!

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity.So many plants you could try,however I would recommend that you include some of the hardy geraniums.They are beautiful and reliable.

Yes, I'd guess it's slugs - I tried in a special bed last year - they germinated and disappeared - and it was the slimey so and sos that did it.

What sort of conditions is it growing in? Waterlogging or excessive dryness? Buddleias are pretty tough things - you see them growing out of peoples chimney pots here!

I plant about 10 impatiens in my planter on my porch.... they are my favorite flower.........I have a picture posted. I do several other containers with many plants and flowers...........smiles

Do you prune it too hard? Established ones like this treatment, but new ones may not.

I,m looking for a climber for exactly the same reason,
and have found a clematis "viennetta" it has a beautiful flower,so type the name into RHS plant finder, and see if anyone stocks it close to you

Is it a Buddliea? Maybe in the States a Butterfly Bush is something else?

I have a honeysuckle vine growing in the shade. It blooms all summer and is very attractive and low maintenance.

I have grown Zinnias quite a few years and they always get eaten by slugs and snails unless I put slug pellets down, especially when they are new.

Cynthia, what is a Butterfly bush please?

Do you mean leaves when you say 'eating them' - or roots? If leaves, it's probably the dreaded slugs or snails. If the roots, it may be 'damping off'.

Yes, there's Hydrangea petiolaris, Pileostegia viburnoides or even some Clematis prefer the shade - like 'Guernsey Cream' and 'Nelly Moser' for example. Don't forget the Hederas, either - though not on the side of your house! Honeysuckles, Parthenocissus henryana and P.tricuspida. Will that do to choose from?

This works if you buy your plants at a nursery which also sells boxes. "Borrow" a box the size you have, and literally fill it with your selections. When it looks right, remove the plants, return the "borrowed" box to the shelf, and make your purchase.