Q: My Plum Delight loropetalums have gone from a gorgeous deep purple color to a dull green. I choose this variety for the year-round color. The plants look healthy but I am puzzled by the color change. Deborah Genard, email
A: Loropetalums vary in their ability to stay purple over the summer. 'Blush' and 'Burgundy' are often olive-green by September. 'Purple Diamond' and 'Ever Red' are reputed to stay purple year-round. 'Plum Delight' is supposed to remain burgundy too, so I wonder if that's the variety you have. It is possible that it was mislabeled at the nursery. Good nurseries offer a warranty if you are not satisfied with their plants.
Q: I had a big branch near the bottom of a tree break off a few years back. Should I seal up the hole it left? Brent Morris
A: The tree trunk is going to fail, probably sooner rather than later. Most arborists agree that filling hollows in a tree is not a good idea. Concrete, tar, and expanding foam have been tried but they inevitably crack and allow water into the space, causing more damage than the initial hole. If the tree is not leaning in a dangerous direction and if it's not too big, you can leave it for a while. Otherwise, take it down now.
Q: I am going to put down centipede sod. I am on a well that only generates five gallons of water per minute. Someone that said if I can hand-water it when it first goes down then it would probably do fine. Brian Smith, Watkinsville
A: I think your friend is right, particularly if you till in an inch of organic matter before laying the sod. The organic matter acts as a sponge, releasing water when drought hits. Of course the best time to install centipede sod is early summer. I don't recommend planting it now due to the possibility of winter damage.
Q: In March I planted two butterfly weed plants. I need information on how to handle these plants over the winter. Bob Morisey, Roswell
A: Once they turn brown, cut the stems down to twelve inches high. Wrap a piece of red ribbon on the stems to mark them: the plant is slow to emerge in spring and you don't want to dig it up by mistake.
Q: I was told by a landscaper that it was not necessary to add anything to the hole when planting new shrubs. In the planting area I see nothing but clay. Curtis Bailey, Kennesaw
A: Your landscaper is partially right. Research does not show much improvement in growth for trees or large shrubs when the soil is amended with organic matter. The reasoning is that the roots of these large plants should be encouraged to quickly outgrow the planting area. Adding amendments makes the roots want to stay close to the plant and this can lead to drought damage. A wide area, perhaps ten feet in diameter, should be thoroughly loosened before planting trees or large shrubs in the center. On the other hand, small shrubs and perennials do not have extensive root systems. For them, it makes sense to add organic matter and mix it with existing soil before planting.
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