IN THE GARDEN: Buddleias love the full sun | Arkansas Democrat Gazette – Arkansas Online

Q: My wife and I saw these buddleias (see reader's photo) at Oaklawn on June 7. Can you identify the variety?

A:I do not know the exact variety, but I can tell it is one of the new compact forms with large flowers. There are several series. The Pugster series from Proven Winners only grows 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide but produces large blooms. The Chrysalis series from Ball Seed has five color choices and grows up to 28 inches tall and wide. Other compact buddleias include the Flutterby Petite series and the Dapper series. They are all good plants for full sun. If I were a betting person, I would put money on the Pugster Blue, but that is just an educated guess.

Q: Can you identify this milkweed from the photograph (see reader's photo)? It has broad leaves, big fat seedpods; I do not know what color or type of flower. I thought it was swamp milkweed, but another gardener up here questions that.

A: It looks more like common milkweed to me -- Asclepias syriaca. It has larger leaves and wartier fruits than swamp milkweed in my observations.

Q:Are these seeds from an oak tree (see reader's photo)? Noticed several trees in the area that shed these.

A: Unfortunately, they aren't seeds, but droppings from a caterpillar feeding on the oak. So it is poop! The feeding of the caterpillars won't hurt the tree usually, but they can be a nuisance in large numbers, dropping debris on patios and swimming pools. The seeds of oak trees are acorns, and they aren't ripe just yet.

Q: About eight years or so ago, I planted two Amaryllis bulbs about 8 feet apart in my yard out in the open full sun. In the ensuing years, I haven't mulched, fertilized or in any other way worked on these plantings. They die back yearly, and the foliage piles up on top. Come spring, they grow beautifully and have spread to a couple clumps of them about 3 feet across. Presently they have scads of beautiful pink blooms and lush foliage. They've never been watered, fertilized or in any way cared for. The horrid cold in recent years has apparently not harmed them in any way, and I'm not sure whether I have some "super plants" or what accounts for the above stated! I'm in my early 80s and debility -- not laziness --accounts for my lack of active care of the plants. Does this sound reasonable to you -- given the horrid winters we've had recently?

A: I don't think you have a special variety, but it is a bit of an anomaly. If you read about amaryllis bulbs and hardiness, it shouldn't overwinter in Arkansas' outdoors, but many gardeners have had the same experience you have. Winter drainage will be important because waterlogged soils could make them rot. Obviously, yours have the perfect location and are happy. If it isn't broke, don't fix it! Enjoy.

Q: In order to cut down the height on my corn plant, which is 42 years old, I just saw off the top and replant in new soil. It has previously done well, but this year the prettiest part was looking good, and I took it to my granddaughter's house. As we unloaded it in the sunshine, I realized it had about 7 inches of black residue on the stalk. I smelled it, and part of the mildew smell that I had attributed to the floor after I let a couple plants run over when I overwatered them was coming from the plant. The plant was beautiful and thriving, but I'm afraid the mildew will kill the plant. How can I treat this?

A: My guess is that you have some sooty mold, a byproduct that grows on sticky honeydew -- the droppings given off by sucking insects such as aphids or scale. Check the plant for insects and control those. You can wash off the black sooty mold. Once the insects are dead and not giving off honeydew, you shouldn't have any more mold.

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By the way, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette wants to see photos of your garden. Submit your photo here to be entered to win a $10 gift card for a local nursery. Submitted photos will also be featured in an ArkansasOnline gallery.

Retired after 38 years with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Janet Carson ranks among Arkansas' best known horticulture experts. Her blog is at arkansasonline.com/planitjanet. Write to her at P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203 or email IN THE GARDEN: Buddleias love the full sunjcarson@arkansasonline.com

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IN THE GARDEN: Buddleias love the full sun | Arkansas Democrat Gazette - Arkansas Online