Q: On a recent trip to Jekyll Island I saw several beautiful bottle brush shrubs. Will they grow here? Diane Bryant, Decatur
A: This Australian native is certainly tempting! But I spoke with three experienced landscapers and all had seen examples of "experimental" bottlebrush plants that were winter-frozen in spots north of Atlanta. On the other hand, south of the city, Wilkerson Mill Gardens reports that its nursery is in a cold spot outside the Perimeter and its 'Woodlanders Hardy' bottlebrush is thriving. This plant was selected by Bob McCartney at Woodlanders Nursery in Aiken, S.C.
Q: We have a Bradford pear tree in the front yard and grass does not grow under it. What would you suggest I put there for color instead of a pine straw island? Billy Earle, Alpharetta
A: You have lots of choices! Some of my favorites include fatsia, Japanese painted fern, variegated Solomon's seal, hosta, Lenten rose, Italian arum, ajuga, and caladium. I have a bigger list here.
Q: Do you have plans for a raised vegetable garden? Robert Baker, Henry County
A: Raised beds make a lot of sense because they are easier to manage and the soil can be amended to make it perfect for vegetables. Personally, I use two-by-six-inch boards to line my beds. I make the beds 36 inches wide and eight feet long. I pour a three-inch layer of soil conditioner plus an inch of gritty sand onto the native soil inside the bed and mix everything thoroughly and deeply until the soil is soft and loose. I bring in more amended soil, if needed, from other parts of my landscape to fill the bed completely. I have a good list of downloadable University of Georgia gardening publications.
Q: I have a six-foot-high wood fence and I want to cover it with something. It gets both sun and shade. Ashley Carraway, Atlanta
A: Evergreen clematis, Clematis armandii, would fill the bill. It tolerates sun as well as shade. The vine blooms in late March with white, lightly vanilla-scented flowers. A yearly shearing after flowering will keep it looking its best. Avalanche clematis has deeply cut, leathery, green leaves.
Q: I had my fescue lawn aerated last fall and put fescue seed out at the same time. The fescue is growing great but there are lots of weeds. Bob Lankswert, Peachtree Corners
A: The aeration probably brought up some dormant weed seed, which is what you're seeing now. Several species of weeds have seeds that can sleep in the soil for several years. If the weeds have oval or ragged leaves you can use a broadleaf weed killer at half strength now and again in three weeks.
Q: We have zoysia grass and have never put lime on it. Should I do so now or do I have to test the soil first? Susan Loft, Lake Oconee
A: All lawn grasses benefit by having the proper soil pH. If your soil is too acid or alkaline, plants can't take up the fertilizer you apply. You can get your soil tested quickly by following the instructions here. Even though centipede lawns tolerate low pH better than most grasses, you'll get the healthiest growth by adding the right amount of lime. Lime takes a few months to dissolve, so waiting a week won't hurt anything.
