Q: Geraniums in two planters on my south-facing balcony have wintered well and still have blooms. Is it too late to cut them back? If its not too late, how should it be done?
Clare Daem
A: Its not too late to cut them back. Theyll grow rapidly now that warmer weather is here and cutting back will give you a more shapely plant that will flower more prolifically. But those new shoots will set buds and bloom somewhat later than normal.
If you dont cut it back, your geranium will keep on flowering with blooms on the end of leggy stems. These stems will lengthen and get more gangly as summer continues.
Cutting back is done by pruning half to one-third the length of the stems. Just sever them slightly above the leaf joint closest to the height you choose. Each joint is a raised area that circles the stem. Cutting just above a joint triggers dormant stem buds in the joint. Any leaves on this joint should be removed to give the dormant buds extra stimulation.
Q: My crocuses are spreading wildly in thick masses of foliage that never produce any flowers. Should I dig them up, separate the tiny bulbs and plant them again? Or just act like theyre a weed and get rid of them completely. My garden space is very limited and the other bulbs are getting crowded out.
Margaret Kernaghan,
Vancouver
A: The crocus that is the most notorious spreader and seeder is the little Snow Crocus (Crocus tomasinianus), but its also a prolific flowerer as long as its planted where sun can get to it.
This is an important point for crocuses. Shade severely inhibits crocus flowering. Is it possible that tall trees or nearby shrubs (yours or the neighbours) are blocking adequate sunlight from entering your crocus area?
Separating them and planting them again would be very time-consuming even if you had enough space and unless you can plant them in a well-drained, sun-drenched spot, youd probably get the same problem.
But your other bulbs must be protected from extreme competition. If you have a small, sunnier spot, it would be best to separate and replant just a few crocus. The others may have to be
composted.
Q: Last year my Fritillaria imperialis (Crown Imperial or Kaisers Crown) produced numerous beautiful flowers. This year, the plant has failed to produce any flowers. Could you please advise what causes this problem.
Ed
In B.C., Fritillaria imperialis is not especially difficult to grow but it can be difficult to flower unless its located in perfect conditions. Youre not alone in having problems with this species.
This fritillaria needs a great deal of sun, warmth, rich soil and good drainage. The top of the bulb is slightly concave, which is why its best to plant fritillaria bulbs on their side so that rain water wont pool in the top and cause rotting.
The increasing rain in recent B.C. winters has created constantly moist soil over very long periods. This has been hard on any bulb that needs superb drainage.
It would be a good idea to fertilize your fritillaries with a high-phosphorous fertilizer. Do this at the time you would normally have expected them to flower.
Anne Marrison is happy to answer garden questions. Send them to [email protected].
