Frequently Asked Questions

Lamb's ear is primarily a full-sun plant that needs 6 or more hours of direct light daily, though it tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates.

Lamb's ear spreads steadily by stems that root where they touch soil and can be aggressive in rich soil and warm climates, but it is easy to pull and control.

Rhododendron is both the botanical genus and the common name; rosebay and azalea are also used.

Yes. Rhododendrons are long-lived perennial shrubs that return and rebloom every year.

Plant after the last frost when soil reaches about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 Celsius), usually late April through the end of May.

Dahlias grow from tuberous roots, not true bulbs. The growth eyes sit at the crown where the tuber meets the old stem.

Touching the flower or foliage is generally safe. The danger is from eating any part, especially the bulb, which contains lycorine. Wash your hands after handling cut stems or bulbs.

It is classified as low toxicity but still poisonous if eaten. The bulbs hold the most lycorine, which can cause:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain and diarrhea
• Salivation and, in large doses, convulsions

Yes, in suitable climates hardy tulip bulbs can stay in well-drained ground year round, though many gardeners lift and store them.

Tulips form small offset bulbs, but most modern hybrids weaken instead of multiplying. Species tulips multiply and naturalize best.

Yes. With a grafted tree, well-drained soil, and a frost-free or protected spot, home gardeners can grow avocados in the ground or in a large container.

A grafted nursery tree usually begins fruiting in 3 to 4 years. A seed-grown tree can take 5 to 13 years and may never match the parent fruit.

The easiest fruit trees for beginners are self-fruitful, disease-resistant types that produce on a single tree, such as:

• Dwarf apples on disease-resistant rootstock
• Tart (sour) cherries
• Most peaches
• European plums
• Figs in mild climates

It depends on species and rootstock. Typical years to bearing:

• Dwarf apple: 2 to 3 years
• Standard apple: 6 to 10 years
• Peach: 3 to 4 years
• Plum: 4 to 5 years
• Sweet cherry: 5 to 7 years

Sphagnum moss suits moisture-loving and epiphytic plants.

• Orchids such as Phalaenopsis
• Carnivorous plants like pitcher plants
• Hanging baskets and terrariums
• Seedlings and cuttings

Soak dried moss, wring it out, then pack it loosely around roots or use it for lining and propagation.

Ground cover plants are low-growing, spreading plants, generally under 24 inches (61 cm) tall, that form a dense mat over bare soil and act as living mulch.

The best low maintenance ground cover is one matched to your site. Strong easy options include creeping thyme, sedum, and bearberry in sun, and sweet woodruff in shade.

All spruce trees belong to the genus Picea in the pine family. Common species include:

• Picea abies, the Norway or European spruce
• Picea glauca, the white spruce
• Picea pungens, the Colorado blue spruce

No, spruce and pine are different conifers in the same family. The clearest differences are:

• Spruce needles attach singly to woody pegs; pine needles grow in bundles of two to five
• Spruce needles are four-sided and roll easily; pine needles are flat or rounded
• Spruce cones hang down with papery scales; many pine cones are woodier

Give it bright indirect light, water when the top inch of soil is dry, keep humidity up, and feed during the growing season.

Long, uninterrupted darkness each night and cool night temperatures together trigger bud set.

• At least 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness
• Cool nights of 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit

A warm, humid room with bright indirect light, away from direct sun and cold drafts.

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, usually every one to two weeks.

Water only when the soil has fully dried out, roughly every two to six weeks in the growing season and every one to two months in winter.

A spot with bright indirect light is ideal, but snake plants also tolerate low-light corners, hallways, and bedrooms very well.

Give golden pothos bright indirect light, water when the top inch of soil dries, and keep rooms between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

No. Pothos prefer the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, because constantly wet soil leads to root rot.

Several traits set lindens apart:

• Fragrant June flowers loved by bees
• Heart-shaped leaves with an uneven base
• A long lifespan beyond 200 years
• Soft, easy-to-carve wood and useful bark fiber

In English the tree is called linden. British English calls it lime (unrelated to the citrus), and in North America native species are called basswood.

It is one of few trees that grows three different leaf shapes on a single plant, and every part is intensely aromatic.

The tree is not poisonous to touch, but safrole in its oil is classified as a likely human carcinogen.

Its long, ground-sweeping branches, very fast growth, and the salicin in its bark that led to aspirin make it stand out.

Aspirin. Willow bark holds salicin, the natural precursor to salicylic acid and ultimately acetylsalicylic acid, sold as aspirin.

Cypress trees stand out for decay resistant wood, long lifespans, adaptable forms, and the bald cypress habit of growing in standing water.

Downsides include large mature size, frequent crowding, untreatable canker diseases, bagworms, and winter burn on exposed sites.

It is usually a poor idea. A blue spruce spreads 10 to 20 feet wide and needs airflow, so plant it at least 15 to 20 feet from the house.

Best spots are:

• Full sun with six or more hours of direct light
• Well-drained, slightly acidic soil
• An open area with strong air circulation
• Room for a 30 to 60 foot tree, 12 to 24 feet from other plants