Hollyhock Pests
Q. I have scale and aphids on my hollyhocks. How do I get rid of both pests?
A. The easiest way to get rid of aphids is to simply wash them off the plant with a stream of water from a garden hose. If you do this every day or every other day, the problem should quickly go away.
Treat scales by using an insecticide soap or systemic insecticide (be sure to follow the directions on the package). Check for either product at your local garden center.
Dividing Hosta
Q. I have a king-size hosta I want to divide. How do I go about cutting the hosta so I won't damage it?
A. Hostas are very easy to divide. Just dig around the plant and lift it out of the ground. Then use a sharp spade to divide it into sections and replant. You can make as many new plants as you want as long as each division you make has a set of leaves attached. Replant the divisions right away and keep moist. There's nothing to it.
Pruning Hydrangea
Q. Should I prune back my hydrangeas every year? And do I cut then down to the ground?
A. The best time to prune depends on the type of hydrangeas you have. Big leaf hydrangeas are best pruned right after they flower; oak leaf hydrangeas, however, are best pruned in early spring.
Cutting your hydrangea all the way to the ground will probably keep it from blooming that year (unless it's a hills of snow type, Hydrangea arborescens, or a paniculata type, Hydrangea paniculata).
Spent Hydrangea Blooms
Q. I have a hydrangea bush and the old flowers are still on it from last year. Should I cut these off before the summer growth starts?
A. Yes, cut off the old flowers.
Lambs' Ear
Q. I planted a ground cover of lambs' ear last year. I was surprised how lovely it was. I think it's a very beautiful plant. Now the leaves are starting to grow. Should I remove the dead leaves?
A. You can gently rake away the growth from last year and take away any faded flower stalks. Your plants should be fine. I replant mine every couple years because they have a tendency to fade out.
Growing Hens and Chicks
Q. How do you take care of hens and chicks? Can they be transplanted? If a chick breaks off, will it still grow if placed in soil? Can you leave them outside in the winter? I live in Sterling, Ohio.
A. Hens and chicks are very easy to grow. They need a sunny spot and well-drained soil, and that's about it. No need to fertilize. Except for sun and good drainage, there are no other growing requirements.
If the chicks break off, you can just stick them in the soil and they will sprout roots on their own. You can transplant these plants at anytime. Some species can over winter outdoors in your region and others can't. It depends on which species you have.
Transplanting Peonies
Q. My wife has 15 peony plants that are more than 50 years old (they belonged to her aunt). She wants me to transplant them in our yard. Can you give me directions to ensure a successful move?
A. The best time to do this is in the late summer/early fall (September is good). Dig all the way around the clumps and lift them from the ground. You can divide the clumps into smaller clumps if you like by using a sharp spade to separate them (remove the dead foliage from the previous year). As long as you have a piece of root with a couple of "eyes" on it, you have a new plant. Replant the divisions so that they sit the same depth in the soil as the parent plant and you're set. Next spring, they'll pop back up. Some may bloom and some may not the first year.
Maryjo & Steve Bedford
