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Q - Samuel of Milwaukee, WI
I have Stella D'Oro lillies in my front flower bed. Each spring they send out numerous blooms. When they fade, it appears that they do not have the continuity of bloom that I see in other locations around the city. I trimmed back some of the lower outer branches of the small tree that may be shading them somewhat. Do I need to deadhead the blossoms to get more blooms or what do you think may be the cause for the lack of flowers? A – Melinda Myers
Try digging and dividing your Stella D’Oro’s. Repeat blooming daylilies sometimes stop repeating their bloom after several years in the ground. Dividing seems to stimulate repeat bloom. Deadheading will also help stimulate repeat bloom.
Q - JANE of WATERFORD,WI
How can I rid my shrubs and hanging baskets of Japanese Beetles? Last year they destroyed everything! A – Melinda Myers
Japanese beetles have found their way into your backyard as well as others scattered throughout Wisconsin. These metallic green beetles are 1/12 inch long, have coppery-brown wing covers and tiny tufts of white hair along the edge of their wings. These hungry beetles feed on over 300 plants and the immature grubs eat the roots of turf. Hand picking can keep small populations under control. Most experts feel trapping just lures more insects to your garden and do not recommend this method of control. Biological controls such as the milky spore fungus may help reduce the populations in several years. This and other Japanese beetle killing organisms need to grow and multiply to levels capable of reducing the beetle population. Insecticides labeled for Japanese beetle control on the plants that are affected will work. Just remember insecticides can also kill beneficial insects so be sure to minimize use and read and follow all label directions carefully.
Q - Steve & Teresa of Pewaukee, WI
We needed to thin some Grape Hyacinths...how do we best store the bulbs removed until friends can plant them? Can they be planted now or should they wait until fall? A – Melinda Myers
If you dug, dried the bulbs and they are now dormant store them in a cool dark place for fall planting. Otherwise you can dig the grape hyacinths out of your garden, divide and replant immediately in your friends landscape. Water in to help settle and eliminate air pockets.
Q - Deb of Thiensville, WI
Hi Melinda: I invested in a pagoda dogwood last year. I love the branching habit and really enjoyed it until a hungry deer did some pretty nasty pruning. It budded out beautifully again this spring, but unfortunately the deer came back to dine on it. I now have netting around it, secured to wooden posts. There are some leaves and buds remaining. Will it fill out again this summer or will I be waiting until next year? Thank you! A – Melinda Myers
Although your Pagoda Dogwood has undergone a little too much nibbling, I’m a firm believer in “Wait and See!”. You have nothing to lose at this point. If your dogwood had a chance to get some roots established it has a good chance of surviving all this pruining.
Q -Kathy of Mukwonago, WI
I have three caryopteris plants along the back of a planting bed next to my house. They were planted in 2003 and grew much faster and bigger than everything else in the planting and they are filling in every available space. Can I spray Roundup on the little plants coming up or will that kill the original plants too? Are they connected by the root system?Also, is it too late in the season to trim the big plants? They are huge, wild-looking bushes. I love the flowers in late summer, but I feel like the plants are out of control! Thanks for your help! A – Melinda Myers
About ten years ago we were worried that Caryopteris would not survive WisconsinWisconsin gardens – including mine. I invite friends to dig seedlings for their yards and then pull whatever is left. You can spot treat the seedlings with Roundup, Finale or another total vegetation killer. Just be careful not to hit nearby desirable plants as these products can also kill them. The best time of year to prune them is late winter or early spring before growth begins. Prune the plants back to 4 to 6 inches above the ground. As the plants age you may decide to cut the plant back to 12 inches. Then remove some of the older stems back to an adjoining branch weather. Like you I have found these reseeding in southern
Q - Jane of Milwaukee, WI
I have mulch around my house which seems to have become a great home for a small black bug with orange strips on each side. They are everywhere. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them? A – Melinda Myers
There are a lot of insects out this time of year and several that could fit your description. Most of the insects found in mulch are beneficial. They help break down the mulch and work it into the soil. During certain phases of their lives the populations can peak and create a bit of panic among us gardeners. There is really no need to treat unless you find the insects are damaging the plants. In that case we should get a positive ID – can you send a picture? Using something mild like insecticidal soap on pests will provide control while having minimal impact on the beneficial insects also living in the mulch. I usually vacuum or squash any insects that find their way from my mulched areas into my home.
Q - Jim of Columbia, MD
If you could take a look and tell me what I’m dealing with I’d greatly appreciate it! 
A – Melinda Myers
It looks like you have several things going on with your holly bush. The dark spots on your holly is Tar Spot, a fungal disease that seldom harms the plant, just causes unsightly foliage. We see this disease more often after a rainy spring. We can’t control the weather but we can avoid adding to the problem. Avoid wet foliage by watering early in the day and try using a soaker hose or watering wand to apply water directly to the soil. Prune out old and crossing branches on dense shrubs. Thinning the plants increases air circulation and reduces the risk of disease. The white things on the leaves look like insect casings. They may be from parasitizing wasps. These insects lay their eggs in aphids, caterpillars and other harmful insects. When the eggs hatch the larvae eat the insides of the host insect. Then they form a case where the immature larvae turns into a wasp. The tiny wasps exits the case and looks for more unsuspecting host insects to start the cycle over. So no need to worry, this may be evidence of a friendly wasp that cam to visit and help with pest control.
Q - Tom of West Bend, WI
Can I or should I put wood chips or mulch around tomato plants and pepper plants in a garden to keep the weeds down and the moisture in the soil? Is there a good book I can purchase on growing tomatoes and peppers? thanks A – Melinda Myers
I do not like using woodchips around annual vegetables or peppers. Wood mulches break down slowly and temporarily tie up the nitrogen in the soil. I prefer to use shredded leaves, evergreen needles or herbicide free grass clippings. These break down quickly and can be turned into the soil at the end of the season. Save the woodchips for trees, shrubs and pathways. If you decide to use wood mulches in the annual gardens watch for yellow leaves and stunted growth. These are signs of nitrogen deficiency. Add a small amount of a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer to help compensate for the temporary nutrient shortage.
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