Can I plant that gift hydrangea outside?

Q: I received a beautiful hydrangea plant Gala mother bought from the local florist and I was told that the plant outside. I know that there are types sold this time of year that are not hardy. Is there a way I can tell if this plant is hardy in the open air?

Answer: Since I do not know exactly what you're florist sold, I will take the opportunity and answer session with some generalities.

Most of the Cuban florist is "Hardy caution" in this region and can be planted in your garden. But please remember that these plants had a gift to the bloom of this holiday. It was grown in greenhouses with controlled temperature, humidity, water and light and were fed a lot of fertilizer. Once you overcome to impose themselves and cope with our climate, outdoor more can be grown with great success.

As the weather gets warmer, slowly adapt to your plant to the outdoors. Progressively taken in outdoor potted plant and place it in partial sun, regular irrigation. Take it in their homes if cold nights.

Plant in place lasting in the garden after the amendment. This should be a place where you will get the nomination of one, and not under the hot sun, and plenty of water. Add a layer of mulch around the base station to help prevent water loss, but the plan to Cuban waters in dry weather. Well amended soil and a large crater outside the transplant useful. Ease gently and soil in the pot and if you plant a container plant seems specific.

After planting and processing plant your new plant, such as fixed. Remember except immediately about any pruning Cuban - after flowering. During the winter, you may need to protect the plant during the winter days below zero.

I have 4-5 large bushes Cuban that came from every mind and one bought a factory Cuban Easter Holiday in a supermarket for many years.

I know your hydrangea planting will be most successful, and you'll have happy memories of donors every year when it blooms.

Q: We have a cherry tree in the yard Tuscan side did not produce fruit, and yesterday I noticed a gray powder residue on the bark, which comes with the abolition of off. I plan on spraying it with water and soap, do you have any suggestions about what it is, and further treatment?

A: You will be useful to a picture, but I think I can say that it is mold.

Try a product called green treatment. It's safe. It potassium carbonate, a product used in food. And spray every few weeks and eventually disappear. In the meantime, you will not have to worry about any food crops grown in the region. You can spray and harvest of food crops are still close to only a few hours later.

I have not seen the green treatment available locally, but check the site Charlie greenhouse supplies access to information and prices.

Be careful not to harm the bark on the tree. Spraying is more secure than cancel. Or wash off the mold with a soft brush or terry cloth instead.

Q: I was planning to take your advice on forsythia, but came in early in the spring, so I pruned and planted. Fig tree survived the winter in my basement, and show some growth. I hope to get some figs this year!

A: you do not kill forsythia or flowering shrub you planted at the wrong time, but may lose some flowers next season. Sometimes have to sacrifice flowers for the benefit of the new area, growing, and sometimes from time to plant may be right for you, and not in a factory - do it when you can!

Fig trees that were in the winter cold in the cellars, balconies show new growth. Teen has shown my country, which was a terrible attack this past winter, and the growth of some plant and figs for a half-dozen. Maybe I should Newton format!

Q: What is the fastest growing type of pine tree to the climate of northern Maine? I would like to plant four or five trees. I have a house there until retirement, when he retires in the seven to 10 years, and I hope to be great.

A: For areas 3-5, the Giants tried some green tree of life. Can be purchased from local nurseries and or e-mail system, to seven to instill the future 10 years, were not to buy the biggest, most costly to get the sort you need quickly.

Tree of Life "green giants" grow into long and thick columns, without Cut. Plant them 5-6 feet away from the screen wall. Planted in the distance, and the full sun, and will fill with a width of about 5 feet, and also make a great wind screen for the house.

It grows quickly - 3-4 feet per year in a sunny location is not unusual. As well as well as in partial sun, but growth may be a bit slower.

One of the real beauty of this evergreen is that, unlike other trees, pine and hemlock, it is resistant to pests and diseases, and deer do not particularly like them as well. They are completely snow and ice of the medication. After you create, it does not require a lot of extra watering, fertilizing and soil well in the Mediterranean.

If you want something that looks more like a pyramid shape in the Holiday Tree Christmas, and I think I go with the Norway spruce - you get no less than growth in the foot or two per year. They are somewhat resistant to diseases and also one of the more resistant to cold fir trees all. They're available in all sizes.

If you are going to need to buy trees from local nurseries in the state of Maine, do not ask them what their selling the tree. You can get an idea of what other garden planted successfully in the region.

Avoid white pine, which requires full sun to achieve maximum growth and is susceptible to rust white pine blister. (I'm always careful when you plant has a disease named after it!)

This week's dirt

"The Garden, I think, dream of dreams is greater than the emperors."

- Mary Cantwell (American author 0.1930-2000)

In the middle of the park, and remember to reach for the next few tens of plants you have just for this year: everything you have to care for plant until frost, which is about five months!

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North Shore Gardener by Barbara Barger of Beverly is a feature of the lifestyle section on Friday. Barbara arrive via e-mail at nsgardener@comcast.net or write to her c / o Salem News, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01 915. Can be found on the north shore in the previous columns Gardener