If you’re researching resources on landscaping, anything gotnotably easier since the dawning of the cyberspace. Can youremember the time when you had to buy some books when you wantedto come across anything appropriate to landscaping? Not a…

Don’t be tempted to go for “instant landscaping.” That’s the message in this comment from a reader and the response to him from my wife, Cheryl:

COMMENT: “3 years ago we moved to a new house on a 25 acre lot. I am sure it will take us years to figure out what we are going to do with it all. However, 2 years ago we planted our first plants. My neighbor mocked me and said, “Nice sticks,” and would yell over the fence…”Gee…I think your trees are growing!” and then laugh. Having lived on a much smaller lot, the thought of planting “sticks” would have never occurred to us. But with so much area to cover, we thought…”what the heck, let’s try it” so I ignored her remarks.

Now, two years later, my weeping willows are taller than me and my Carolina Spice bushes and Burning Bushes are growing beautifully. So now I wonder, why did I ever spend $30 on a plant that I could grow myself in 2 years for $5 each! I used to be all about instant gratification – but now find the gratification is quadrupled when you watch it grow from a seedling!” – Paul W.

ANSWER: Thank you so much for your note. Only a small portion of homeowners have the financial ability to install instant landscaping and, chances are, they have a knowledgeable person who regularly cares for those plants. Not all of us have nor want that advantage.

My thoughts are that a landscape should take years to grow into itself. Just as you and your family are new to your home and property, you should take the time (be that several years) to live on the property and see how its uses develop. Hasty planting only to get something in the ground often leads to a change of mind a couple of years later. The different ways you and your family will use your property will reveal themselves over time. I always encourage people to take that time to find out. – Cheryl Jones

Your comments and questions are always welcome. Drop an e-mail to steve@landsteward.org and I’ll do my best to get a personal response back to you. I often include some of those Q&As in this column.

QUESTION: “I have just purchased some Rosa Hansen Hedge Roses. I am interested in using these hedge roses to conceal an existing chain link fence. The site directions state to plant 12” – 24″ apart but my question is how far from an existing fence? Can you help?” – Maura

ANSWER: “In order to give them enough room to grow and not be an issue with your neighbor in the future, I would place them at least 2 feet from the fence. That will give them a four foot area in which to grow.

QUESTION: “We have two weeping cherry trees (used to be three) near full grown. They are blooming, but very poorly this year. Any suggestions as why this might be, and what we can do to produce more blooms next year?” – Kathryne

ANSWER: Weather affects the blooming of most early spring flowering trees such as flowering cherry and flowering pear trees. It is quite likely that, with the flip-floppy weather that has been going on in many parts of the U.S., the trees experienced a cool weather snap just after the buds began to form. It’s the most common reason as to why they lose their blooms or don’t bloom as pretty as in other years. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about the weather!

QUESTION: “I have black fountain grass. How do I solve the problem of it reseeding itself?” – Rosie

ANSWER: The best way, when it begins to go to seed, is to cut the seed pods off before they can disperse. The other way is to put down an herbicide that prevents seed from germinating during the growing months.

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

"Exchanging Plants, Seeds and Flowers for Winter Gardening Fun" Exciting New Winter Garden Fun! GardenHere turns grey cold weather months into exciting home gardening fun.  While other gardening enthusiast are waiting for Spring plant and…

With an increasing tendency for empty nesters, young couples and singles towards higher density inner city living, and the desire to spend minimal time on maintaining gardens or other outdoor spaces, most new apartments, townhouses and condominiums…

What once was old is new again. That’s a saying that can certainly be applied to the world of plants. Quite often a specific plant becomes almost universally popular. As soon as it can be seen in almost every garden, there’s a backlash and the once-popular plant drops out of the Top Forty, so to speak.

But then, a new generation of gardeners and landscapers rediscover the plant and it enjoys a resurgence of popularity.

Just such a plant is Dicentra spectabilis, also known as Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart.

In case you haven’t seen it recently, here’s a reminder. It is named for the dangling, pink and white, heart-shaped blooms that burst forth in a profusion in spring, dying back somewhat in the heat of mid summer, although the blooms last longer in locations where there is ample shade.

This is a hardy little guy, tolerating the cold as well as the sun, topping out at no more than two feet tall with attractive grey-green foliage. If you plant it in shady areas, it does well alongside hostas and ferns. Bleeding Heart is one “Old Fashioned” plant that deserves its modern day revival.

And now to a couple more questions from readers. My wife Cheryl fielded the first one about plants that attract birds.

QUESTION: “The hot, dry summers where we live make it a challenge for me to decide what to plant. We have a few crape myrtles, and Japanese boxwoods that line our privacy fence. Dull, eh? I enjoy the birds and would love to establish a sanctuary in the corner of our back yard. The clay soil and sun are forces to contend with. Any suggestions for creating something as an attractive haven for the birds?” – Kim Renee Keck

ANSWER: Most birds are going to be attracted to plants that produce food and berries over winter. These include: Dogwoods, Rosa rugosas, Serviceberry, Viburnums and ornamental grasses.

Of course, raspberry and blackberry plants fruit during the summer and birds love them. Hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored flowering plants such as the crape myrtles, buddleias, clethra, herbs (sage, oregano, basil, thyme) and geraniums. Adding a bird feeder with tasty seed blends is always a welcome sight during winter and bird houses are not only visually attractive, but tell the birds to come in and stay awhile. I hope this gives you a few ideas.

QUESTION: “I bought some royal ferns last year, but wasn’t aware at that time that they need acid soil. Even though they were planted in shade and kept very moist, they didn’t make it (but I am sure that is because I have the wrong soil type). I was wondering if there are any ferns that do well in somewhat alkaline soil?” – Jennifer Bonnett

ANSWER: Most all ferns will prefer soils with a high organic content. You may want to dig an area out and fill it back with only aged compost, aged manure or other organic matter in which to plant the ferns and then top with mulch. They need shaded areas that have drained soil. It is possible that the moisture didn’t drain properly and the fern rhizomes rotted. Check the ferns regularly. You only want the soil to be cool and moist, but not damp or wet.

QUESTION: “I have double mock bushes that have not blossomed in five years… never, for that matter. Any suggestions?” – Debbie Andrews

ANSWER: I can think of a couple of things to check on. The doubles typically need to be in total full sun and they do seem to do better in more of a poor soil. Remember that the use of too much fertilizer will encourage leaf growth, but not flowers. You might want to cut out the old growth and any dead canes to get more sunlight into the center of the plants.

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