Hoe, hoe, hoe

[Jane]

I have some gardening questions:

1) Why isn't anything blooming? I have a huge hydranga without a flower anywhere on it, a morning glory that is growing like crazy but without a bloom and a clematis with nary a bud. What am I doing wrong?

2) Can I still plant some perennials? I am pulling out a bunch of overgrown groundcover, and I'd like to replace it with hosta, but can I do it now?

3) Should I cut stuff back in the fall or in the spring?

[liriodendron]

I have no clue. I kill everything. However, I will ask my sister. She's had neighbors hire her to do their gardens.

[liriodendron]

And here are her answers:

1. How old are the plants? If you have just planted them this year (or maybe even last year), it may be too soon to expect blooms. It may also have to do with placement. The hydrangea should be placed in shade to part sun. The morning glory and clematis will want more sun. You might also want to consider the soil quality. Have you amended the soil with compost?

2. Yes, you can still plant perennials, but be sure to amend the soil first and water, water, water. Un-established plants put in during the height of summer need a lot of water.

3. Generally, you are better to cut back at the end of fall so that you are not cutting off new growth in the spring or stepping on emerging plants in the garden in the spring while you trim. If you get very cold winters, it would be a good idea to mulch the garden after you cut back to protect the roots of the plants.

Hope that helps!

[gailkate]

All good advice. Another is to consider fertilizer - if you're using one with high nitrogen you'll get more greenery than flowers. Miracle Gro has a good balance; I look for cheaper brands with the same mix.

Our gardening section of the paper is full of laments about this year's weather. it's been so hot that all plants are struggling. Most galling is that this should be the time of tomato overload, but everyone is grumbing. The fruit stays green much longer and often is hard. Our one cherry tom is doing well - we pamper it - but even so the little guys aren't coming as fast and furiously as in previous years.

Another thing about transplanting or putting in new perennials - you can plant in September as long as you haven't been told to expect an early fall. In our region we're told the fall will be prolonged, so i'm not going to do much till i'm sure the worst of the heat is over. they just need to get their roots settled in, and a good mulch will help. After the first year, i've never especially coddled hosta.

Lirio, please ask your sister if she's seeing insect damage. We are getting more and more japanese beetles which do a huge amount of damage. Even our old elm, which we spend lots of money nursing, has leaves chomped down to papery skeletons