Ask a Master Gardener

Question: I would like to propagate some of my Knock Out patented roses to share with friends. Is this legal, and if so, what’s the best way to do it? Most species of roses require significant time and effort to…

Question: How can I tell if my houseplant needs to be repotted? What symptoms do I look for? How should I repot my houseplant? When the weather turns colder and outside garden cleanup is completed, many gardeners focus their attention…

Question: I want to do research on problems I’ve encountered in my yard and garden. Web searches can be overwhelming. How can I find answers to my gardening questions more easily? Gardeners are always brimming with questions about their home…

Question: I have heard the term “Integrated Pest Management” and think it probably involves environmentally safer methods than treating with chemicals. Does it mean that I have to eliminate all pesticides and other chemical treatments? What is IPM? Let’s start…

Question: I have 15-year-old viburnum that is showing signs of decline, and 80% of the plant looks like it’s dead or dying. What could be happening? When and how should I prune it? Many gardeners choose viburnums for their attractive…

Question: What is the purpose of using a cover crop? Some cover crops are planted at different times of the year. How do I choose the right one for the time of year and when do I plant it? What…

Question: I am building a new home and am interested in having a “green roof.” What are the main benefits of green roofs? Can you recommend some good resources to learn more? First let’s look at some basic information on…

Question: I have several types of hydrangeas and I am confused about when to prune them. One year I pruned in the spring and had no blooms. Please advise. When pruning hydrangeas, it all depends on the variety. Some hydrangeas…

Question: I’m building a new home and want to incorporate sustainable landscaping in my yard. What factors should I consider and how do I begin? It’s very confusing to me. You are wise to think about sustainable landscaping for your…

Question: We have wild honeysuckle everywhere, especially along our creek. It smells so lovely, but it is growing up into the dogwoods we planted. A neighbor said it is a native and I should leave it alone, but I don’t…