Q: Last year I noticed what seemed to be wild violets that had "turned white" (the blossoms, that is). I first noticed them where there was no sunlight and wondered if it was like the "white" asparagus phenomenon. Then I began to notice them in other locations, such as lawns, and I truly never remember seeing them in previous years. And again this morning, I saw them in numerous locations. Is it possible I just never noticed them before or did something happen in the past few years that caused this? A neighbor's lawn actually looks like it has snow on it because there are so many in bloom right now!
A: I'm not going to be much help! White asparagus is created by covering the stem so as not to allow sunlight to reach the stems (this prevents the formation of chlorophyll), but I have absolutely no idea why the violets are white now. Could it possibly be, as you suggest, that you hadn't noticed them in past years? I really doubt it! I will put the question out to my readers because, as you know, they're a smart bunch.
Q: I have a few questions for you regarding transplanting. I had written to you last summer about a white mildew on my peony plants. I cut them back as you directed, and tossed the cuttings far away from the garden. You also said being up against a stone wall is not the best location, which is where they are. I did not have an opportunity in the fall to transplant them to an open area. Did I miss the boat in not transplanting them last fall? Can I do it now? I don't see any "eyes" coming up yet.
A: Your peonies would be much better off if you transplanted them in the fall, so I'm afraid you have another season of mildew, etc. Mark it on your calendar so you don't forget next fall.
You do remember my telling you that they will take several years after transplanting to recover and bloom, so choose the new area well so you won't have to do this transplant again and suffer no flowers.
Q: I have some big, beautiful, purple iris that were here when I bought this new home. I did transplant them about a year and a half ago as they were on the edge of a slope. I was careful and moved the whole clump, grass and all, to a new location. Last year they produced only one flower, which disappointed me, and the other buds dried up and fell off. Can I dig up the bulbs and replant them elsewhere at this time, or should just let them be until the fall? I'd like to add that the area they are in now does not have the best drainage and gets to be a wet area in the spring.
A: It sounds to me that the iris, which are normally transplanted after they bloom, were dug up with the clump of grass and replanted too deeply. Iris tubers need to be almost at the surface to bloom well, which involves only covering with a thin coating of soil. This may very well be the reason they're not blooming. You need to dig them and replant after blooming time; then next year, you should get blooms.
You're right when you mention poor drainage. Iris can easily rot if standing in water. While you're at it, clear out the grass and weeds for the new iris bed. They don't like competition for food and water!
Q: This year, I am more than excited to get outdoors and start poking around and have a couple of questions perhaps you could answer. The first is that I would like to plant a small tree (12 to 15 feet) and have found three inches in a clay layer of several inches. Is it possible to sure this up with topsoil layers enough to support a smallish tree? There have been daisies planted there and they grow, but what root system would be suitable?
Secondly, I inadvertently seem to have killed a dwarf Alberta spruce. It was uprooted at the end of the season as not appropriate for the area and was (embarrassingly) left covered in my lawn cart. Surprisingly, the tree stayed dormant and green. When I took it in the house the quills dropped off. Is it savable if I plant it now? It looks pretty bare at the moment.
A: Yes, I think the soil can be properly amended enough to support a small tree (which is going to grow into a large tree!). Get as much depth in the planting hole as you can manage. Don't amend the soil with too much bought soil and use decent compost and decent topsoil from the adjoining area, not too much peat and fertilizers, etc. You might want to add some sand if the drainage is poor, as it probably is with the clay substructure being so deep.
Why did you bring the spruce tree indoors? The true test of the tree's life is not only in the needles, but rather in the branches — break one and see if it bends (possibly alive) or snaps (dead). If it bends, it still has some moisture and sap in it and might live. But after being uprooted and left out on a garden cart all winter, even if covered, it is doubtful it would have survived. You might want to try planting it if there is some extra room in some inconspicuous place in the garden, but it might take some years to respond.
This Week's Dirt
Seeds planted in warm ground sprout faster with less danger of rotting. That's why bottom heat is often recommended when we start seeds early indoors. But peas are different. With peas, sprouting can occur at ground temperatures as low as 40 degrees. For everything else, it pays to wait just a few more days.
It is time to take your seedling plants out for a walk. It's still too cold to plant most seedlings, but you can get your seedlings ready to go outdoors and let them enjoy the warm days. Take them out for a walk! They will enjoy these sunny, warm days as much as you do. Take them out for a few hours each day, beginning in a shady area and gradually moving into the sun. Protect them from wind and hard rainfall and watch out for still quickly dropping afternoon temperatures.
Bring them inside each day as the sun goes down and then take them out another day, as temperatures permit. A few days of this treatment, and they'll be ready for their permanent trip to the garden about the end of the month.
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North Shore Gardener by Barbara Barger of Beverly is a regular feature of the Home North section. Reach Barbara by e-mail at nsgardener@comcast.net or write to her c/o Salem News, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915. Her Web site is www.nsgardener.com.
