Q: I planted two ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas last year. They look very healthy, but will they bloom if I didn’t prune them this spring? — Suzanne Boesl, Kennesaw
A: They will be fine and will bloom in late summer. ‘Limelight’ is a panicle hydrangea. It can tolerate full sun and produces large, light green blooms that turn pink as summer ends. In my opinion there is no need to prune ‘Limelight’ unless it gets too big for its space.
That said, if you want huge flowers on a short plant, you can prune it to 18 inches in early spring. This hydrangea blooms on new wood, unlike the blue/pink common hydrangeas, which must be pruned in midsummer if you expect blooms the next year.
Q: Last fall I raked mulch off the garden and let it sit in a pile. After planting this year I re-spread it over the garden. Apparently over the winter a bunch of spiders nested in the mulch. I try not to use many chemicals, but what can I use to kill all these spiders? — Janet Moran, Cumming
A: I hope I can persuade you to get over the creepy factor with the spiders and let them live. In fact, I mulch my vegetables with wheat straw specifically because this material attracts spiders.
The reason I like spiders is because they are excellent organic controls for garden pests like aphids, ants and caterpillars. I note that you don’t like to use chemicals in your garden, so why not allow nature to do some of the pest control work for you?
I admit that it’s unnerving to see a spider near your hand while working in a garden. But the good news is that none of the spiders you are likely to see are poisonous. Black widows might be found in rock piles or in your water meter box but they won’t be seen wandering among the tomatoes.
My bet is that if you can steel yourself to go in the garden a couple of times, you’ll lose your fear and will ignore the spiders as much as they ignore you.
Q: Can you tell me the best way to prevent bermuda grass from getting into my flower beds? Can you recommend a barrier of metal, plastic, etc? — Larry M., Hoschton
A: Landscape architect Bruce Holliday (www.land scapeplansplus.com) says the very best material is brick edging in concrete with a brick soldier course. He warns that it is expensive but very effective and distinctive looking.
In his experience, site-formed concrete curbing is not effective because bermuda grass can grow right under it.
A less expensive barrier is a four-inch wide by four-inch deep trench around flower beds. This requires weekly edging with a blade edger, not a string trimmer.
If you use the trench method, be aware that if the trench runs downhill, it can act as a drainage ditch and can erode over time.
Metal edging may work but plastic edging is usually a waste of money because it is so easily damaged by trimmers and mowers.
Q: I have a potato vine in a large ceramic pot. It grows like kudzu and is covering everything close by. Any problem with trimming? — John Wages, Lawrenceville
A: There’s no problem at all with cutting the vine when needed.
Some early varieties of ornamental sweet potato are known for their vigorous growth. More recent introductions, like the Sweet Caroline series of ornamental potatoes, the Illusion series and ‘Carolina Purple’ are more restrained in their habits.
Listen to Walter Reeves from 6 to 10 a.m. Saturdays on AM 750 and 95.5 FM News-Talk WSB. Visit his website, www.walterreeves.com, or join his Facebook Fan Page at xrl.us/wrfacebook for more garden tips.
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