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| TRAILING VIOLET MAKES BEAUTIFUL HANGING BASKET PLANT | |
| Published: August 30, 1997 | |
Lush foliage at four feet and growingQ:I received a trailing violet hanging basket as a gift. It was bought in Baton Rouge but I havent been able to find out which nursery, and I havent been able to locate any information on this plant. Can you tell me if it will need winter protection, and anything else about its culture? During the four months that Ive had it, it has grown a foot, making the stems about four feet long. It requires lots of water and responds well to partial sun.A:Trailing violet, also known as Australian violet (Viola hederacea) is not a common plant. Ive never seen it in nurseries. The small flowers look like Johnny Jump-Up, and are white with a purple center. The bright green ivy-like leaves are round and the stems intertwine vigorously to make thick foliage.I have seen it used as a ground cover in dry shade where it is hardy and full of blooms nearly year round. We can assume that it needs extra water in a hanging basket. Although it is hardy outdoors as a ground cover, it may be more vulnerable to cold in a basket. I would keep it outdoors but watch it closely during very cold weather. Most violets are propagated by division and some reseed as well. Congratulations on having such a lovely and unusual plant. Pink splash makes brown splashQ:My pink splash plants are still alive but they have turned an ugly brownish green color. They are in morning sun and afternoon shade. A few of the plants are in shade most of the day and they have retained their pink and green foliage color. Whats happening?A:Pink splash, also known as pink polka-dot plant, tolerates direct morning sun only if it is kept very moist. Its best to plant it in filtered sun unless you are planning to water daily. Try giving it a lot of extra water and see if the new foliage retains those pink polka-dots.Bark lice in gossamer webs are beneficial insectsQ:We have a large oak tree that is being encased by cobwebs, first the trunk and now up the branches. The bark is also taking on a more green scaly appearance. What are we dealing with, is it serious, and how do we treat it?A:Denyse Cummins with the Cooperative Extension Service says that many oaks and other hardwood trees are affected this time of year by psocids or bark lice, which are beneficial insects that feed on the fungi in the crevices of bark and weave silken webs to protect themselves.The webs, which are described variously as eerie, ethereal, ghostly or beautiful, can be left in place, or they can be brushed down with a broom or a jet of water from a garden hose. In any case, the tiny, winged insects will not cause harm to the tree. Why didnt weed killer work?Q:I have a ground cover bed of liriope that has become infested with grassy weeds. This summer I sprayed it with an over-the-top type of weed killer. Well, it didnt work. Why?A:Selective weed killers are effective in early spring when the grassy weeds are young and tender. In summer, the chemical is ineffective on mature weeds that have already produced seeds. Denyse suggests applying a granular, pre-emergence product such as Treflan in March. In late spring, those weeds that germinated in spite of the Treflan can be sprayed with the selective weed killer. If any weeds emerge later, they can be pulled or spot-treated with Round-Up. |