*Gardening with Mary
A Weekly Column by:
Mary Strayer, Master Gardener, Firelands Garden Club
Questions? Email Mary at rmstrayer@msn.com
Mary Answers Your Questions:
Martha from Huron emailed and asked, "I would like ideas for more window boxes for shade. I live in Huron Ohio." Plants that flourish in shade include tuberous begonia, Impatiens, and Primula x polyantha. Vining or trailing plants include Lobelia erinus ‘Riviera", asparagus fern, and nasturtium. These plants do well in the shade. When they start to get too tall, just pinch back, and let them grow again. Many ferns may be grown in window boxes for the summer, but then are overwintered inside. Other shade tolerant plants include monkey flower Mimulus, Browallia, and Nemophila. Place these plants, pots and all into the window box. When a plant stops blooming, remove pot and plant, and replace it with something new. Fill the space between pots with sphagnum moss or bark chips to retain moisture and hold pots in place.
Joe from Huron emailed and asked, "My perennial garden is plagued with ants. They make their nests in and around the base and roots of the flowers. Is there any way to get rid of them without destroying the flowers?" Garden ants are generally not harmful; their activities aerate the soil and add fertilizer to the soil. Working in and around ants is not fun, however. Some species such as fire ants are dangerous, but they aren't found in Ohio at all. The established colony may move if boiling water is poured into the mound. Removing food sources, such as aphids, which produce honeydew) is helpful. For more definitive control, you should place an ant insecticide bait (which is available at garden centers) in the garden.
Susan from Huron asked about hummingbirds. "This summer we have had several hummingbirds frequent some of the blooms in our yard. How can I keep these lovely little birds coming back? Where do they migrate in the winter?" In the fall, sometimes as early as later September, hummingbirds make spectacular migrations to their wintering areas in Central and South America. The best way to enjoy these birds is to plant flowers that become food sources for the birds. The best plants for our area are Weigela Red Prince, Cardinal flower, columbine, coral bells, hollyhock, sage, and trumpet creeper. We have this collection of flowers and herbs in our yard, and we added a hummingbird feeder as well. Just be careful and empty every 2-3 days to prevent overgrowth of fungi in the sugar water, which will cause liver damage, even death when ingested by the birds.
Lastly, Dorothy from Huron emailed and asked, "I planted some peony bushes 4 years ago, two bloomed and two didn't. What can I do to make them flower?" Peonies can take more than 4 years to mature and bloom. If the plants are still small, apply a high-phosphorus fertilizer every spring. If the plants are large, they may be planted too deeply, which can delay flowering. Peonies bloom best when growth buds are less than 2" below the soil surface. If they are planted too deeply, transplant them this fall, and more shallowly. At the same time amend the soil with lots of organic matter, but don't fertilize next spring. Peonies will remain in the same spot for years, so sit back and enjoy the show. Happy Gardening.