September 2021. Pawpaw volunteers are a fact of life. About three weeks ago, I was admiring the stump sprout dubbed Phoenix that is replacing the pawpaw I cut down. Genetically, it is the gone pawpaw, and it has all the resources of the full-grown root system that was left behind. Continue reading “The Secret Pawpaws”
Category: Propagation
How Can You Update a Plant That’s Gone?
Funny you should ask.
In June, the roots of the gone pawpaw were sending up shoots, but not in good spots, so I cut them down.
Three Quick Transplant Stories
Why on earth would I be writing about transplanting in the middle of the dog days of summer? This is not the ideal time to move plants, unless they are irises, but it is the time to note what needs adjusting in the fall. I moved these plants in mid-June. It couldn’t wait any longer, but ideally you want to move plants while they are dormant, preferably in the spring or fall when temperatures are more moderate, and especially when there is a promise of rain—my favorite time to rearrange plants is the day (or morning) before rain is expected. Continue reading “Three Quick Transplant Stories”
The Bluebells Are Dancing Early This Year
The bluebells broke dormancy without attracting my attention this year—I was probably grading papers—but they were noticeable by the last week of March.
Continue reading “The Bluebells Are Dancing Early This Year”
How to Move Daffodils
Daffodils are forgiving of many things, but too much shade is not one of them. Last year, I realized that the bed of daffodils that were under the witch hazel were getting shaded out. They were lanky and few bloomed, so I needed a plan. Continue reading “How to Move Daffodils”
How to Tell Pink from White Bleeding Heart Plants
Fortunately, bleeding hearts breaking dormancy lack subtlety. The regular pink bleeding hearts start out as a very pink plant. Continue reading “How to Tell Pink from White Bleeding Heart Plants”