Flower Bushes Tips

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How do I plant azalea bushes?

Planting Azalea Bushes

Azalea bushes are a popular type of flowering shrub in the spring garden. However, if they are not planted properly, these bushes can become diseased or may even die. To plant azalea bushes, you should:

1. Choose a spot with partial shade that does not become excessively dry during the summer months.

2. Plant your azalea bush so that the base of the plant is at ground level. Do not mound dirt up around the azalea's base.

3. Keep mulch away from the base of your azalea bushes. They do not like to be smothered.

   
How do I plant rose bushes?

How to Plant Rose Bushes

Rose bushes need plenty of sun and fertile soil to grow well. To plant rose bushes, you should:

1. Dig a hole a few inches deeper than the rose's root ball.

2. Add several inches of rich compost and well rotted manure to the planting hole.

3. Place your rose bush in the planting hole and fill the hole with topsoil.

4. Water the rose well to remove any air pockets.

   
How do I prune rose bushes?

How to Prune Rose Bushes

Rose bushes need to be pruned each year to keep them healthy and vigorous. To prune your bushes properly, follow these simple steps:

1. Remove any canes that are growing towards the center of the bush. Rose bushes need to have plenty of space for air to circulate.

2. Cut any canes back that are rubbing against other canes. When canes rub against each other, they can spread disease.

3. Always make any cuts about 1/2 inch above a bud that is facing away from the center of the plant.

   
How do I revitalize my lilac bushes?

Revitalizing Lilac Bushes

Lilac bushes can survive for over 100 years, which means they often become smothered with weeds and develop a lot of dead wood. However, you can easily revitalize your lilac bushes by:

1. Clearing all brush and scrub trees away from the area around your lilac.

2. Cutting out all dead wood back to the base of your shrub.

3. Giving your bush a dose of slow acting granular fertilizer that is low in nitrogen.

   
How can I attract birds to my garden?

Attracting Birds with Bushes

Bushes are an important part of any wildlife garden. Bushes offer shelter for birds, a place to nest and a food source. To attract birds, try planting American beauty berry, viburnum and bayberry bushes.

   
How do I fertilize rose bushes?

How to Fertilize Rose Bushes

Rose bushes are heavy feeders, so they need plenty of nutrients if you want to keep them blooming. To fertilize rose bushes, you should:

1. Add a specially formulated rose food to the soil.

2. Bury a banana peel beside your rose bushes.

3. Sprinkle a quarter cup of Epsom salts around each rose bush.

   
How do I prune forsythia bushes?

Pruning Forsythia Bushes

Forsythia bushes are a popular spring shrub. These hardy bushes are decorative and useful, since they can form a dense hedge in a relatively short period of time. However, few people allow their forsythia bushes to grow in a normal manner. Instead, they clip them into tight, round balls, usually after next year's flower buds have formed. To properly prune a forsythia, you should:

1. Remove old wood.

2. Prune out branches that are growing into the center of the plant.

3. Only do hard pruning right after your plant is done blooming to avoid cutting off next year's blossoms.

   
How can I attract butterflies to my garden?

Attract Butterflies to Your Garden

The butterfly bush is a wonderful way to attract butterflies to your garden. This wonderfully scented bush is covered with sprays of white, blue, or pink blossoms that attract butterflies in large numbers. To successfully grow this butterfly magnet, you should:

1. Plant your butterfly bush in full sun. While the bush can handle partial shade, butterflies prefer the sunshine.

2. Encourage the butterfly bush to bloom for an extended period of time by removing spent blossom sprays.

3. Prune your bush back each fall to help it develop a rounded shape. The bush will have more blossom sprays than if it grew straight up.

   
Can I plant rose bushes on a hill?

Landscaping with Rose Bushes

If you have a hill in a sunny area, why not try landscaping that troublesome mowing spot with rose bushes? Repeat blooming landscape roses thrive in this situation and look beautiful. To turn your hill into a garden filled with rose bushes:

1. Remove the sod so your roses aren't crowded by long grass.

2. Apply landscape fabric to the hill to help control erosion.

3. Dig a hole of the recommended depth for each rose and be sure to add some rose food to each hole before planting the rose bushes.

   
How do I prevent diseases in rose bushes?

Preventing Diseases in Rose Bushes

Rose bushes are prone to several stubborn diseases, including black spot, powdery mildew and rust. These diseases all are spread in a similar fashion. To prevent diseases in rose bushes:

1. Remove diseased leaves and canes.

2. Wipe the blades of your pruning shears with disinfectant after you prune each rose bush.

3. Clean up debris around the base of your rose bushes.

4. Water your roses at ground level instead of from above.

   
How do I prune climbing roses?

Prune Climbing Rose Bushes

Climbing rose bushes often grow so vigorously that they seem to be on the verge of devouring the entire yard. To keep these prickly sprawlers under control, you will need to prune them each year. To prune climbing rose bushes, you should:

1. Choose three sturdy canes and prune out all the other canes.

2. On the three remaining canes, prune out any branches that point toward the interior of the shrub.

3. Keep as many of the rose's horizontal branches as possible. Horizontal branches bloom more heavily than vertical branches.

   
How do I prune my crape myrtle bushes?

Pruning Crape Myrtle Bushes

Crape myrtles are such pretty bushes that it is no wonder they are so popular. However, few people know how to properly prune their bushes. While most people cut their crape myrtles back almost to the ground, you should actually only remove dead wood. Then, prune the bush into a pleasing shape. Some people prune their crape myrtle bushes so that they look like small trees, while others prefer a rounded shape.

   
How can I make my azalea bushes healthier?

Keeping Acid Loving Bushes Happy

If your azaleas or other acid loving bushes just don't seem to be doing well, you may not have the proper soil conditions. To help your bushes improve, you should:

1. Test your soil to see how alkaline it is.

2. Add sulfur to alkaline soil to make it more acidic.

3. Give your bushes a helping of caffeine. Coffee grounds will also make soil more acidic.

   
How do I Keep My Butterfly Bush From Falling Over

Keeping Your Butterfly Bush Upright

The butterfly bush is a wonderful addition to any garden. However, some people have problems keeping their mature bushes from toppling over. There are several steps you should follow to keep your butterfly bush upright. These steps include:

1. Plant your butterfly bush at the recommended depth so that the roots can help support your shrub.

2. Prune your bush back each fall to help it develop a short, broad shape.

3. Water your bush deeply to promote good root growth.

4. Stake your bush to provide additional support if you live in a windy area.

   
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Sheri Ann Richerson
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