Q: I have a plant on which the stem looks like a snake. Every few years, instead of leaves, a bloom comes and it smells like rotten meat. What is it? Cara Ashbaugh, e-mail
A: I think you're seeing a voodoo lily, Sauromatum venosum. This plant is easy to grow and the odd leaf and stem are guaranteed to bring questions. It is pollinated by flies and other insects attracted by the odors of decomposition. The best way to avoid the bad smell is to clip off the flower as soon as you see it.
Q: While watching hummingbirds with a friend, I saw a female bird eating what I call gnats. My friend said that hummingbirds eat nothing but nectar. Who's right? Sandy Devitt, e-mail
A: Hummingbirds do eat insects. Nectar (or sugar water) supplies them with energy, but it is not a complete food source. Small insects, like gnats, mosquitoes and moths, are a regular part of their diet.
Q: I have crepe myrtle sprouts coming up through my centipede grass. This has been happening more frequently since my neighbor started pruning their crepe myrtles in the winter. How can I stop the sprouts? Donald Rett, e-mail
A: Heavy crapemyrtle pruning does stimulate root sprouts nearby. My only solution is to install a 12-inch deep root barrier between his property and yours, then dig the sprouts as they occur. Mowing them would be less tedious but will take a year to finally starve the shoots.
Q: I want to grow herbs that also attract butterflies. Is there a list? Toni Leslie, Berkeley Springs
A: I’m sure you know that some plants host butterfly caterpillars while others feed butterfly adults. Mint, dill, fennel, salvia and lemon balm are good herbs to offer the adults. Get a longer list at xrl.us/NECTARHERBS. Caterpillars feed on parsley, fennel and anise. More choices at xrl.us/CATERPILLARHERB.
Q: We purchased some rainbow cherries from the grocery. What is so special about them and why are they so expensive? Lynn Martin, Buford
A: Rainbow cherries are produced by the ‘Ranier' variety of sweet cherry. They are very sweet and colorful, but are extremely hard to grow due to insect and disease pressure. Most of Georgia is inhospitable to sweet cherries due to our heat and humidity. I’m aware of a few folks who are successful with sour cherries like ‘Stella’ and ‘North Star’, but most attempts at growing cherries in Georgia are unsuccessful.
Listen to Walter Reeves on Saturday mornings on NewsTalk 750 WSB-AM from 6 to 10. Go to www.yoursoutherngarden.com for details on his TV show or visit his website, www.walterreeves.com.
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