IT'S TIME TO ...
Prune Lady Banks rose to control size, especially if you wish to confine it to a small trellis or arbor. This vigorous climber does best when trained up a tree trunk or over a shed or other outbuilding.
Pay careful attention to spraying roses to halt the development of black spot.
Look for places around stepping-stones as a place where low-growing herbs, such as thyme, could be planted.
Q. We have American boxwoods planted about 12 years ago that have grown about 8 feet tall and do not look good. How do we go about trimming them? The limbs are not very dense but are far apart. And, what is the best way to make cuttings for new plants?
The best time to prune boxwoods is in late winter, just before new growth emerges. That allows you to shape the plant without losing the attractive new foliage. So, if you can wait, wait.
However, your plant is 12 years old, which means it's well-established and should continue to grow this summer. I wouldn't do anything drastic. Try pruning the tips of the stems by no more than 5 or 6 inches, which should produce some growth along the sides of the stems and lead to a fuller, denser plant. That may not bring it down to the height you desire. Wait and do that more drastic pruning next February.
Since you are trimming, this is an opportunity to use the cuttings to root into new plants. Examine the stems and look for semi-mature wood that is between the tender newest growth and the older, harder, darker stems. This is where to trim the cutting to about 3 to 4 inches long. Set the tip end in rooting hormone powder, and set in a pot or flat of sterile rooting mix. Cover with a plastic bag to keep the air humid and make sure the pot does not dry out.
Let slime mold air out
Q. I have been finding a large, yellowish mushroom or some other fungus on my pine needle mulch. It is mushy, so I have not been able to scrape it off. Will it harm my plants, and what kind of fungicide can I use on it?
This is a slime mold, and it is common on wood mulch. I suspect there is some additional organic matter such as shredded wood among your pine needles. It is a harmless – but unsightly – mess that alarms gardeners. It develops in a moist environment and is a fungus feeding on decaying organic matter.
Have you been watering too much? Try to let the mulch dry out. Or at least rake it to let in air and help dry out the mulch and let the fungus disappear into its unnoticed state as spores. With a garden fork, you could turn it over. But do this gently. You don't want to smash this mess and send spores flying everywhere.
You may also have a layer of mulch that is so thick it never dries out. Pine needle mulch should be about 3 inches deep.
