Dear Master Gardener: We have a small garden area and would like to have a hydrangea. Are there any small ones?
Answer: Yes, there are small hydrangeas and now is a good time to plant one! Not to mention, they might be on sale at this time of year! Little Hottie, introduced in 2022, is a new compact panicle hydrangea ideal for smaller landscapes. It is hardy to zone 3 and gets 3-5 feet tall and wide at maturity. It has very full flower heads that start out lime green then turn white then age to a soft pink in fall.
Bobo is a floriferous dwarf panicle hydrangea introduced in 2014. It was developed by Johan Van Huylenbroeck in Belgium, who developed the popular Pinky Winky hydrangea. He named it Bobo after a blue rabbit on Belgian television that was one of his children’s favorite characters. It is hardy to zone 3 and gets 30-36 inches tall by 36-48 inches wide. It has strong stems which hold up large white flowers. The blooms age to pink.
Puffer Fish was introduced in 2023 and was developed at North Carolina State University. It is a dwarf panicle hydrangea that is hardy to zone 3 and a larger, puffier version of Bobo. It has fluffy white blooms that cover the entire plant so much that you can barely see any foliage. As the blooms age, they turn lime green and then a new sprig of white flowers emerges from the tip of the panicle. These three hydrangeas grow best in full to part sun.
Dear Master Gardener: I have a blue colored Echeveria in a succulent dish garden that is growing a long stem and has root hairs coming from the stem above the soil. It is no longer sitting as a rosette on top of the soil, but leaning over the edge of the container. Can I cut the stem and put the plant back so it is sitting on top of the soil instead of leaning out of the pot?
Answer: Echeveria has thick fleshy leaves that form a tight rosette which stays close to the ground for a while, but as the bottom leaves dry up and drop from the stem, the stem becomes visible. When an Echeveria, or other rosette-type succulent, grows a long, thin stem from the soil, or becomes leggy, it typically means it is not getting enough light. Echeveria is native to deserts and needs a lot of sunlight. In fact, the coloring of the leaves improves with sunlight.
Yes, you can cut the rosette from the top of the leggy stem with a sharp, clean knife, leaving a short stem to anchor the plant in the soil. Before putting the plant back in soil, let it sit out for a few days to dry and form a callous. When it has formed a callous, put your plant back in the spot in your dish garden where you would like it to be. Place your dish garden in a location with bright, direct sunlight to prevent it from becoming leggy again. Mine is in a south window.
Dear Master Gardener: I have a floribunda rose and was wondering when and how to winterize it.
Answer: Floribunda roses are not hardy in Minnesota, so they need to be protected to survive our severe winter months. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends mounding 8-12 inches of soil, mulch, or compost around the base of the plant after the first hard frost but before the ground freezes. Another option is to form a ring around the rose with chicken wire or hardware cloth about one foot out from the rose. Then fill it with leaves, pine needles or straw. Another option, which takes a lot more effort, is the Minnesota Tip Method, where the plant is bent over and buried in a trench. Information on this method can be found by googling UMN Minnesota Tip Method. In the spring, gradually remove the protective covering as the ground thaws.
Dear Master Gardener: I would like to plant a shade tree in my front yard. Is a honey locust a good choice?
Answer: It depends on the size of your front yard. A honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) reaches a mature height and width of 60-80 feet. It was one of the most popular trees planted after the loss of American elms. One negative characteristic is the branches have long, sharp thorns, which can be harmful or even dangerous. However, there is a thornless variety (Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis) that is recommended for urban landscapes. Unfortunately, the honey locust is very susceptible to numerous diseases and insect pests, with cankers and root collar rot being the two major ones. If you decide to plant one, it prefers full sun with moist, well-drained soil.
Dear Master Gardener: I heard that the Colorado blue spruce is no longer recommended. What is the best spruce tree to plant?
Answer: The black spruce (Picea mariana) and white spruce (Picea glauca) are native to Minnesota. Planting trees that are native to our state is a great idea! They are typically easier to grow than non-native varieties because they are already adapted to our soil and climate. The Norway spruce (Picea abies) is native to Europe and is not quite as desirable as the other two, but grows well in Minnesota. It also shows resistance to the infectious Rhizosphaera needle cast disease. The Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is no longer recommended for Minnesota landscapes because it is very susceptible to Rhizosphaera needle cast and Cytospora canker, two devastating spruce diseases.
You may get your garden questions answered by calling the new Master Gardener Help Line at 218-824-1068 and leaving a message. A Master Gardener will return your call. Or, emailing me at
umnmastergardener@gmail.com
and I will answer you in the column if space allows.
University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners are trained and certified volunteers for the University of Minnesota Extension. Information given in this column is based on university research.
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