Q: Is the correct spelling for the common summer plant crepe myrtle or crape myrtle? — Anne Denton, email
A: It's a bit more complicated than you think. Any author attempts to be consistent in spelling and grammar for their work; it would be confusing for their readers otherwise. In my case, I use Michael Dirr's "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" when I need guidance in spelling a plant's name. He, and almost all horticultural professionals, spell it as one word: "crapemyrtle." There are reasons for this, but the explanation is too complicated for a quick newspaper read. Bottom line: I spell it crapemyrtle.
In another example, when I write about lawns I always use the word "bermudagrass" to refer to the common lawn grass because that's how professional horticulturists spell it. Newspaper editors consult their own style guides for spelling, so they spell it "Bermuda grass," even though the grass has nothing to do with the island of Bermuda. Happily, this is not a big deal for me. I have a more detailed explanation of horticultural spelling at bit.ly/crapename.
Q: I have a puppy and would like to get a lawn maintenance schedule that won't hurt him. What do you recommend for Bermuda grass? — Mary Almquist, Cherokee County.
A: The best weed control is making the grass so vigorous that it out-competes weeds, thereby minimizing the use of weed killers. An organic fertilizer like Milorganite works very well if applied regularly. Pay attention to fertilizing and to summertime watering, if needed, each year. Don't expect this grass to do very well in shade: Use mulch or shade-loving plants to landscape under trees. I have a set of lawn calendars for all Georgia lawns at bit.ly/lawncalendars.
Q: I have a large hosta bed and I'm ready to put the semi-annual layer of compost on it. It seems like it would be better to work it in a few inches with my hand cultivator, but I'm afraid of damaging the roots. — Steve Preston, Decatur
A: Working the compost into the soil does make sense. You can use a spading fork to do the job. Apply compost, then jab the tines of the fork into the soil multiple times around your plants. You'll minimize harm to the hostas but give them a root environment they can thrive in.
Q: I have fescue grass in my backyard and have had problems getting it to look good. There are bird feeders along the lawn edge. I wonder if having so many birds in the area might cause problems with my fall overseeding. Do birds eat fescue seed? — Sid Elliott, Sandy Springs
A: Yes, birds do eat some of the fescue seeds. But, in my experience, if the rate of seeding is correct (5 or 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet) and if a little bit of straw is used to protect the seeds, little damage is done. One of the best things you can do for fescue in semi-shade is to mow it 3-4 inches high. This gives fescue an advantage over weeds and their seeds.
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