Q: Could you please identify the unnamed leaves on page 96 of the September 2008 issue of Southern Living? Sure looks like cannabis.
Marilynne S.

Barry (left) and I hang with our homey, famous botanist Carl Linnaeus. Carl looks a little stiff, but that's only because he's shy.

If I asked you to identify the “City of Gardens,” how many of you would say Tulsa? Not many, I’ll bet. And up until a few days ago, I wouldn’t either, but then I paid Tulsa a visit.

With the possible exception of hearing that Matt Lauer has taken a permanent vow of silence, nothing brings me greater satisfaction than introducing faithful Grumpians to an underappreciated plant.x

Q: Hello Grumpy Gardener,

To our delight, we have a hummingbird couple living in our yard and frequently visiting the feeder near our patio. They seem to like our hibiscus but, I'm wondering what else we can plant that they will be attracted to in the flower bed next to our backdoor and in the planters on the patio itself. Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

Vicki
Charleston

Q: My dwarf crepe myrtle bloomed in July---a beautiful deep red/watermelon color---same color it has been for ten years. I deadheaded the blooms, fertilized it, and two weeks ago it bloomed again. Guess what? It was pink. What happened to my beautiful red blossoms? Now the blooms are either pink or coral on same stems. I had repotted it in February and fertilized it.

HELP!
Jean

Last week, Lianne asked if it was necessary to divide hostas and if so, when and how? Once again, the all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-generous Grump has consented to answer these pressing questions.

Dear Esteemed Grumpians,
It is with a heavy heart and even heavier stomach that I write to you today. If you recall my post on August 28, “Give Me Doughnuts or Give Me Death,” I decried the shameless pillaging of our weekly doughnut tray that is set out to entice fellow workers at Southern Living to arrive early and actually put in a full day’s work.

Q: Hi,
I have a sink hole in my yard that will not go away no matter what I fill it with. The hole is approximately 8 inches deep and 8 feet long. I have lived in the house 10 years and the hole has always been here. I'm thinking that there was probably a tree with roots there at some time. Can you help?

Robin Banton

Q: Steve,

I have a tree-shaped ligustrum at the corner of my house that drops 30-40 leaves every day of the year. It's in full sun and is watered regularly. Otherwise, it seems healthy. Is this normal?

Thanks.
Liz

Q: Dear G.G.,
In spring, I have a beautiful bleeding heart plant. Then in fall when it's dying off and gone, I have a large blank spot in my garden. Is there a late bulb or plant that can take its place? The bleeding heart faces west and gets plenty of afternoon sun. Thanks for your help.
Amy Polkabla

Q: I live in zone7 and I would like to move some hostas. When would be a good time? II would also like to plant and ornamental grass. When would be the best time to do that? Thanks, Roy

You know how when you're drinking tequila, people dare you to eat the worm? It's a stupid thing to do, but chances are, if you're surrounded by people who have been drinking tequila, "stupid" is no longer considered a criticism.

Q: Hi Steve, we have a problem with dollarweed in low parts of our yard that stay wet. We've tried some weed killers but even at low concentrations, our St Augustine (much of which is Floratam) the grass seems to be affected more than the weeds. I found a new weed killer "Image" with 4% Atrazine that says it's safe for all St Augustine grass. Is this safe for Floratam? Is it too late in the season to use it? It seems this time of the year is when the dollarweed really takes off. We don't water these areas unless we're into a real drought, so we can't do much about the wetness. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Don Taylor, Panama City, FL

Yahoo, Grumpians! It’s answer & question time! See if you can guess the question to the following answer and win the magic turtle!

Q: Howdy, we live in Dallas and we are having some problems with bugs on our oleanders. Tiny yellow/black insects and most recently some very tiny worm looking things. Any suggestions regarding treatment?
Mark Gist

Q: Dear Grumpy,
Southern living invited readers to ask you questions so here goes. I am having a difficult time growing Japanese maples. The tips of the branches have turned white. The trees have plenty of leaves growing everywhere except for the ends or tips of the branches. This is what happened to two other Japanese maples until they eventually didn't grow anymore leaves and died. What do I need to do?
Thanks,
Rose

Q: Hi Grumpy Gardener,

I feel like I could describe myself this way also!!

How far back can a lorepetelum be cut/trimmed back? (I may have spelled the name of the plant incorectly-don't hold it against me.) I bought such small plants years ago, and now they just grow so large if I don't keep them trimmed!

Please advise about this plant!

Thanks,

Gardener in Georgia

Q: I am a teacher and was given a beautiful orchid plant at the end of the school year. It's a month later, the small purple and white blooms have dropped and I'm left with a green stick.

What do I do now?

Deb
Fort Mill, SC

Q: I have a large tulip poplar which was struck by lightning a few years ago. The year it happened, I contacted the county extension service for advice. I was told that trees usually form a callous at the injured spot, but if insects get in the tree, spray. The tree did form calluses on the sides of the wound, but even though I sprayed several times, insects got in, and there is some rotting where the tree is exposed with no bark covering.

I've just had a tree service man give me an estimate on removing some dead trees. I pointed out the problem on the poplar, and he recommended using spray paint on the exposed part of the tree trunk. He said that would keep out any more insects and seal up the rotting area.

Have you ever heard of using this technique and would you recommend it? The tree isn't near any structure. Rita