Q: My 6-foot oleander was frostbitten this year. It has been growing near the wall outside our bedroom window for the last three years and has not been damaged by cold in the past. Should I cut it down or can it be saved by pruning?

CLARA DUNN, North Myrtle Beach

A: This is a "wait and see" situation. Oleanders vary in their cold tolerance, depending on their location in the garden and on the weather that occurred before the cold snap. There are also oleander varieties that are physically cold-tolerant. Mathilde Ferrier is an example.

Wait until late April to see if damaged limbs re-sprout. My bet is that you'll have lots less damage than you expect now.

Q: Can I plant my St. Patrick's day oxalis outside? If so what are the requirements?

PAT FARMER, e-mail

A: As you note, the common St. Patrick's Day shamrock is actually an oxalis, typically Oxalis regnellii. I have some growing under an old wheelbarrow I use as a focal point in my garden and they have been happy there for years. The leaves come out in mid-March, the blooms appear in April and then everything disappears by June. This is the natural sequence of events for this plant. Put yours where it gets a few hours of morning sun and dense shade for the rest of the day. Don't worry if you don't notice it again until next spring.

Q: Will the water from a swimming pool harm plants and grass? I would like to capture the water when I backwash my pool instead of just dumping it out on the bare ground.

N. KIRCHIN, e-mail

A: If the water contains no chemicals other than normal chlorine, I don't see why it can't be used for watering. But remember that you can't use it except on the days and at the hours your local water provider stipulates. Details at www.georgiawaterrules.com.

Q: I know that 2,4-D is a selective chemical that will kill broad leaf weeds and not harm your grass. Is it safe to spray on annuals and perennial flowers? My vinca major is overrun with vetch.

DONNA CARMICHAEL, e-mail

A: The chemical we know as 2,4-D may be "smart" enough to tell the difference between a grassy plant and a broad leafed plant, but it can't tell the difference between vinca and vetch. All weed killers that are labeled for control of broad leafed weeds like dandelion, clover and chickweed will ruthlessly kill ornamental plants as well. There are a few exceptions, but these chemicals are difficult to find and use. Wait for a warm day to get out and pull up all of the vetch. To control vetch and chickweed, consider using a broad leaf weed preventer in September each year.

Q: I have three lantana that I planted last year and they got to be a real nice size. They appear to be dead now. Are they gone?

MARK FAHY, Cobb County

A: Not all lantanas are reliably hardy in the Atlanta area. In fact, few survive winter cold. The only one that comes back for me year after year is Miss Huff. It was selected by Goodness Grows Nursery in Lexington, Ga., from the landscape of a neighbor. Cut all of the stems on your plant back to a inch above ground and wait until late April to see if any new growth comes from the soil.

Listen to Walter Reeves from 6 to 10 Saturday mornings on WSB-AM (750). Call 404-872-0750 to ask questions. His Web site, www.walterreeves.com, contains thousands of answers to lawn and landscape questions.