ArcaMax

Time sure flies when you aren't looking. I started writing a weekly newspaper column on landscaping, gardening and wildlife 35 years ago this week. I think I have helped a lot of people with their problems. How can I help you?

Q: My gladiolus bulbs have not bloomed well this year. Any ideas on what I did wrong?

A: These bulbs are usually a ...Read more

One of the best things about being involved in plant trials is being proven wrong. People who are evaluating plants at the university level, garden writers and even industry pros are all guilty of judging a plant the day we take it out of the box or off the truck. A lot of those judgments are on aesthetics or beauty.

I’ll skip writing a ...Read more

Q: I have a significant amount of blue rug junipers in my landscape. Every spring, there is a large amount of twig blight that I have to trim. I have been doing this for over 20 years, and it is getting old. Is there a fungicide I can use to address this condition?

A: I have always liked blue rug juniper. It has a nice color and only grows 6-12...Read more

This is a wonderful time to be a gardener, particularly for those whose passions aren’t just blooms, but also bees, birds and butterflies. I say that because new agastache varieties are showing up in every plant company. Such is the case with Proven Winners new Maestro Coral and Maestro Gold.

These new varieties follow close on the heels of ...Read more

Q: We have a cherry plum tree with purple foliage, pink flowers in April and small reddish fruit in July. The leaves look like something is eating at them. There are small holes all over them. I looked for bugs but didn't find any. Can you please let me know what this could be and how to treat it?

A: Plums and other tree fruits with pits get a ...Read more