QUESTION: “I am new to gardening and seem to have a tough time getting plants to grow. Most of the area is full shade to partial sun and it does not have the best of drainage either. I do have a big patio that I pot flowers on as well. If you have any suggestions on some flowers that even a beginner can grow, I would greatly appreciate it.
“Also, I see that you have mentioned ways of deterring our animal friends. Would you have any suggestions on how we might get rid of a squirrel problem? I love to watch the little critters but they have made a home in the attic of our house. Nothing we seem to do deter them. They are very smart and they do not have a problem letting you know when you do something they do not like!” – Mary Wheeler
ANSWER: “Mary, I have e-mailed you a link to the extension office site in Missouri with a great article on controlling your little furry critters. For other readers, you can read the article here: http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/wildlife/g09455.htm and you can click on a direct link when you find this column at my Web site www.landsteward.org
Yes, you are correct in that there is little or nothing that will control them other than just protecting what you have. Don’t forget things such as screening any vents or other openings in your gable or attic areas. The Missouri extension article says that if a squirrel is found in an attic or another part of the house, do not try to chase it out. Open a window or door and allow the squirrel to find its own way out. Alternatively, bait a live trap or cage trap with peanut butter or nutmeats. Once the squirrel is trapped, release it outdoors.
Many people believe that nothing will grow in shaded or poorly drained areas but that isn’t the case. In planting in a wet area, you can always plant in containers rather than directly in the ground. Container gardening allows for much better control for the water situation.
Here is my own listing of plants that will grow in such an area: Astilbes, Hostas, Ferns, Dicentra, Irises, Daylilies, Salvia, Heucheras, Hellebores.
As you are someone who is fairly new to gardening, I suggest you surf the ‘Net for as much information as possible. One excellent article, titled “Flowers for Shade or Part Shade” can be found at www.suite101.com The direct link to the article, subtitled “Easy to Grow Shade Loving Annual and Perennial Flowers,” is http://flowergardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/flowers_for_shade_or_part_shade Cheryl fielded this next question from a reader with a poison ivy problem.
QUESTION: “My son planted Myrtle on a steep bank beside his house. Now poison ivy has taken over. We have tried for years to pull it up and spray it, but it still hangs on and is getting worse. How can we kill it for good?” – Sally
ANSWER: We have been using a vine and brush control product called Vine X. It comes in a container that you apply directly on the ivy itself. The ivy absorbs the product and dies off. It worked beautifully for us when last year, the Easter weekend freeze wiped out all of our hybrid wisteria that covered our garden arbor.
The root system, which was not the same as the top grafted part, began putting out sprouts everywhere. Steve started using the Vine X everywhere he found sprouts, as well as the trunk where we had to cut down to, over summer. By late summer, the root system had died and no more sprouts.
Vine X is much safer and easier to apply than roundup or other herbicides. You may want to consider it. Otherwise, the only way to get rid of poison ivy is to regularly apply herbicides, which can also kill other plants in the vicinity.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org and for resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve’s free e-mailed newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org
