Q: Is there an explanation as to why our Japanese maples' leaves are all brown but still hanging onto the trees? — Gloria Dugger, email
A: I've noticed as well that leaves on some crape myrtles are lingering longer than usual this year. Young American beech trees hold their brown leaves through February each year, but their older siblings do not. I don't know why that's the case for your maples or my crapes, but I doubt it is harmful. If you'd prefer to see the limbs unobscured, use a leaf blower to unclothe your trees.
Q: Our new yard has a grassy plant next to the front steps. It is about 4 feet high and has feathery plumes at the ends of stems. It is brown now. Do we cut it back? — Tracy Shealy, Fulton County
A: It's probably a clump of miscanthus, also known as maiden grass. It is very attractive throughout winter in an open part of a landscape but I think it could look obnoxious next to your steps. Ornamental grasses don't transplant well in winter, so you're stuck with it for the time being. Could you spray paint it red for the holiday season? Otherwise, cut it back to a foot tall any time between now and late February. Move the clump to a better spot in late March.
Q: I have not seen cardinals at our feeders since October. Do you have any ideas as to what happened? — Brenda Kealty, Grayson
A: I don't know, but other bird lovers have noted the same thing. Perhaps a hawk or an owl has settled nearby. Remember to keep bird feeders filled at all times and keep your fingers crossed. Winter is punishing for all birds and readily available black oil sunflower seed and suet squares can make all the difference to our feathered friends.
Q: I have several Blue Rug junipers I planted on a slope 20 years ago. They are now 40 feet in diameter. I want to root a couple of hundred runners off of these plants and transplant them to another piece of property. How should this be done? — Hugh Stowers, Dawsonville
A: Rooting juniper cuttings is eminently possible, but it will take longer than you think. I estimate it will take two years to grow plantable shrubs from cuttings. If you need hundreds of rooted plants, consider buying rooted cuttings, called liners, from a wholesale nursery. You can get juniper plants for less than a dollar by buying wholesale. Contact the Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA.org) and ask for a list of members who sell liners. Consider attending their WinterGreen trade event in January to meet growers on the spot.
Q: With the early cold snap, some of my azalea leaves are now a golden yellow color. Is there anything I should do? — Pat Eubank, email
A: What you're seeing is normal behavior for azaleas. The yellow leaves are those that were produced back in the spring, when life looked good for the plant. They are more delicate than leaves produced in summer, so they are the first to drop when cold weather arrives. As long as the leaves on the tips of your azalea are green, the plant is healthy. It will fill in with more leaves next year.
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