Is My Dogwood Dead?

this redbud tree died a couple of years ago. I left it in place and sure enough, new growth is starting. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

“Charlotte, you seem like a sympathetic and knowledgeable master gardener. I don’t dare share this with my ***master gardener group…..I’ve planted flowering dogwoods for three years straight and none of them took. I love those trees. Any tips on how to help them survive?”

(Name withheld at request of submitter)

Is My Dogwood Dead?

We see a lot of growth taking place and assume that whatever looks dead on top is dead all of the way through. We also tend to jump on immediately removing what appears dead.

Here’s the good news.

Depending on your growing conditions, your flowering dogwoods may just be taking their time to get their roots established. Plants will focus first on root development above all else and for good reason. They need a good foundation before they grow.

Keep the roots watered and mulched without touching the tree trunk and wait.

I have a dogwood I named Theodore who remained 3-feet tall for 20+ years. Then I noticed he was 4 feet tall, then six feet, and now he’s a standard-looking understory tree but he sure took his time!

Look at The Base

It’s easy to focus on the visible top of the trees but step back and look at the base. Plants in general take the first years to root, then focus on “the shoot” or the stem growth; then they “fruit” or provide flowers, fruits and seeds.

I have several tree tops that are dead. I didn’t remove them and kept them watered, watching around the tree base. If I start to see new growth, I will let the new greenery grow, tie it to the old dead trunk and prune that new growth to encourage the shooting in the direction I want.

It makes more sense to me to leave the established root structure than to pull all of that out and try to plant something new.

If you still have the dogwood trees in the ground, mark their location with a pole and monitor for any growth. If there is one thing my garden repeatedly teaches me, it is patience!

Charlotte

Are Mums Still Alive?

This is a wintered-over mum getting new spring growth. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

”Charlotte, I took your advice and planted some mums from my neighbors. They look dead now. How can I tell if they are still alive?” — Noreen

Are Mums Still Alive?

Hi Noreen. Once the mums are planted, make sure to add a little leaf mulch around the base to keep new growth protected.

You won’t see much through winter but keep them moist, at least one gallon per plant per month.

I tend to peek into the centers late winter hoping to see some early sign of green growth. Even a tiny start will flush out into a new plant with the growing season.

This sliver of a mum will grow into a new mum plant. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Also don’t cut off the dead flowers and stems, those will protect the new growth through winter and early spring. I depend on those old tops to guide me to where a new mum should be growing.

Use dead mum stems to guide you to find new growth. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

Once you see new growth, keep them watered until they’re about 4-5 inches high. Then pinch off the top growth every week or so until July 4 to keep the plant bushy.

I take those cuttings and gently plant them in nearby soil to start new plants.
Charlotte

Are All Fall Bulbs Good

“Charlotte I see spring-flowering bulbs on sale this time of year, are all fall bulbs good to plant?” - Samantha

Are All Fall Bulbs Good?

Green growth is a sure sign this surprise lily bulb is still alive. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Hi Samantha, not necessarily. Some bulbs may look dead when they are just dormant; others may have dried up and will never bloom again.

First check that the bulb feels firm. Mushy, empty bulbs are dead and won’t grow again. You can gently feel most bulbs through the packaging.

Secondly, check the tips. Bulbs that are still healthy and ready to grow may have a little green tip showing at the bulb top. You may also see tiny roots springing from the bottom of the bulb.

Finally check the season they are supposed to grow. Some bulbs are annuals and only grown one season.

If you see any of these signs of life, definitely pick them up and get them in the ground as soon as you can. many spring-blooming bulbs need exposure to cold for at least 8 weeks before they will bloom such as tulips and daffodils.

If you can’t plant them, consider potting them and storing in a refrigerator for the 8 or 12 weeks they need. Then you can pull the pots out and let the bulbs grow in the pots. Once they are done, you can move the bulbs back into your garden.

Charlotte

How To Get Mums Blooming

This recently-planted mum is still showing signs of flowers. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

“Charlotte, Even planted mums never seem to bloom again for me. Do yours really do so? What’s your secret?!” - Lucy

How to Get Mums Blooming

Hi Lucy,

Left unmanaged, chrysanthemums will grow long and leggy with few blooms. To get them to have more flowers, start pinching them back 1-2 inches every week or so during the growing season until July. The pinching will encourage the plant to grow bushy and encourage blooms throughout the cut back plant.

Don’t throw out those trimmings, either. I just gently stick them in the nearby ground and make sure they are watered. They will usually grow a new plant although it may not bloom until the second year.

Charlotte

Grass in Iris Beds

I use vinca ground cover to hold in soil and keep iris rhizomes hydrated. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

“My iris beds have become covered in grass. How can I get that removed? Do I need to use landscape fabric?” — Cynthia

Grass in Iris Beds

Hi Cynthia,

I would grab a cup of coffee, or tea, put on my gardening gloves and head out after a good rain. The best way to keep your iris beds clean of grass is to remove the grass by hand. Make sure you get the roots, not just the green tops.

Once cleared, add a shallow layer of mulch. You don’t want to cover the iris rhizomes but you want to maintain a level of moisture around the roots. The mulch will help keep the moisture in and level out the temperature so the plants are less stressed.

In terms of landscaping fabric, I am not a fan. Soil is a living, breathing ecosystem so you want to keep soil hydrated and healthy. That’s way your plants stay healthy.

I was once given a roll of landscape fabric and placed it on a couple of paths covered in mulch. I have since pulled it all up and tossed it. I would rather keep something growing on the paths cut short with my weed eater than smother what may try to grow and destroy the soil.

After removing the grass, consider planting a ground cover to keep your iris hydrated. Lamb’s Ears and Vinca are both excellent ground covers that can keep soil hydrated.

Charlotte