Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
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Friday - October 02, 2015
From: Cranston, RI
Region: Northeast
Topic: Container Gardens, Pruning, Seasonal Tasks, Shrubs
Title: How to prune a Lantana tree
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I have a potted Lantana tree that will come indoors for the winter. It is quite large and should I prune it back for the winter? If yes, how do I prune it?ANSWER:
Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana) can be pruned drastically if desired, and this is the normal treatment for Lantana left in the ground for the winter. Pruning back to one or two buds per branch would be safe for you if you will keep your plant in a cool place overwinter. Or, if you have a sunroom bright and warm enough for the Lantana to continue growing, prune it back as suits you, knowing that regrowth will increase the canopy's diameter.
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Stem canker or leaf fungus in Morella cerifera
June 14, 2007 - Dear Mr.Smarty Pants:
The upper half of our wax myrtle, which we had allowed (with artful pruning) to reach about ten feet suddenly died this spring (it dropped most of its leaves and didn't sprout...
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Shrubs to grow in a narrow area no taller than 3 ft. in Cadiz, KY.
May 27, 2011 - I need to plant shrubs in a narrow area between my house and sidewalk. I have a low porch so I want the shrub to grow no taller than 3 ft. What do you recommend? It is in full sun.
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June 24, 2009 - Like the inquiry made in late June of 2008, mine involves a bank that is too steep to mow. However, ours is facing south. I am looking for a native grass, plant or groundcover. Any suggestions?
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