Annuals

I have one of the dahlias with the darker foilage. I don't recall the name. It bloomed in a container last year. It survivied the winter in the garage, remained in a large container, and has grown great foilage this summer, about 3.5 to 4 ft. tall. It is in full sun. But no buds or blooms. Any suggestions?
Debbie

By Norman Winter
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Early August usually means several more weeks of hot, miserable weather. If your more tender flowers have started to fail, I have a combination planting that will perk up your summer-tired landscape.
Lime green ornamental sweet potatoes and Dragon Wing begonias kick into gear when temperatures soar. These work in landscapes, containers or baskets.
Both plants are like thoroughbred racehorses ready to gallop once in the ground. You may think the sweet potatoes will overrun the begonias — and they may at first — but in the end, the Dragon Wing begonias will find the sunshine and put on a vibrant show.

I've got a large container with blue angel salvia that bloomed for only a couple of days a month ago and now all I've got is gangly foliage. I've fertilized it and watered it regularly so I'm thinking of just tearing it out for mums. Or is it a fall bloomer?

I have planted morning glories that bloom very little and not growing well. They are putting on seeds, lots of seeds. What could be the problem?Maggie

My evergreen tree has grown into my peony plants and i want to move the peonies.

What is the best way to transplant them so they will bloom next year.

These plants were my grandmother's, that my mother transplanted in the 50's to her home and I transplanted in 2000 to mine. But it took them 6 years to bloom after I moved them. I don't want them to die.

thanks

Where can I find the different varieties of cleomes?

I've got a hanging basket that gets drenched whenever we have a downpour like the other night and rain overflows the gutters. A stream of water runs into the basket and right through it. Will that leach out any important elements from the potting soil? Do I need to over-fertilize it? Thanks!

My pansies are still doing well and blooming, but the temperatures are rising. I've read that they'll bloom both before and after summer. What do I do with the potted plants now that temperatures are sneaking into the 80s?

Each year I get a couple of regular geraniums (not ivy) for some containers but they usually stop blooming by July and don't restart, even with fertilizer. Any tips?

By Norman Winter
McClatchy-Tribune News Service

At a recent garden and patio show, several gardeners were asking what blue flowers I recommend for the long summer ahead. It seems we just can’t get enough blue in the garden.

I always favor the various blue salvias and, of course, the Wave petunias. But one little plant that I still treasure for its rare clear blue is the Blue Daze evolvulus. Blue Daze is a selection of Evolvulus glomeratus, which is native to Brazil and Paraguay. It is related to our native E. nuttallianus found from Texas and northward to Montana and South Dakota. It thrives in hot, torrid summers.

I live in a retirement home. At a back door on the north in full sun, I have prepared good soil about 8 inche wide and 8 inches deep on either edge of a sidewalk. Both are about 4 feet long. What low plants with color can I place there? I have considered periwinkles and low snaps--marigolds and petunias are out.Thanks. HR

In your article about Versatile vinca (4/24)you said in good condition it can reseed. Does that mean I could protect them thru the winter from year to year. Thanks, Al

we would like to border our brick sidewalk with a low hardy flower, preferably something red. This is facing south and gets lots of sun.I've thought of vincas but might be too high. Our house is tan with red brick so red always looks good.Any suggestions??

We started hyacinth bean vines indoors and they are doing fabulously!! In fact, they are about 8-10" tall and starting to curl around anything they can find. Is it too early to plant them - either in the ground or a large clay pot with a trellis?

I have 3 wooden window boxes at my new house. They are big--56"x8 1/2"x10" deep. Two face south and 1 faces east. Any suggestions for plants? And what do I line these with since they are so deep?
Thanks.

I have about 10 inches of brown stems on my hydrangeas from last year. I noticed that there are green leaves growing out toward the bottom of the bushes. Will leaves grow out of the brown stems or should I cut them down to the green leaves growing from the base???
Thanks

I began my sunflowers about 3 weeks ago n little peat pellets. I guess I needed a dose of spring. It became quite clear that the weather wouldn't cooperate, and I wouldn't be able to plant them outside any time soon. I then transplanted them to 3" peat pots, but most didn't take the transplant well. I've got a few stragglers that are hanging on. Anything I can do to make it better for them?

Alos, when should I have begun them inside?

Thanks!

Laura

Are sweet peas viable in KC? I understand they may not appreciate our heat, so I am wondering if they might grow fast and bloom before the heat discourages them?

I found a bunch of seed packets today, dated for 2005. I was planning a new bed with wildflowers this year...Think these seeds would work by just mixing them all together, get soil ready and flow them out and just see what I get? I really hate to throw away even if I don't get good germination.......

Should I go ahead and try them even if they are older?

Just curious. Is there anything that can be done with the ornamental sweet potato vine tuber after the top dies back?
What is the normal method for reproducing ornamental sweet potato?