According to Steve
Every day on the network news, there's another dire warning about the threat of global warming. One such report stated that
if the North Pole melts and sea levels rise, alligators in the Everglades might be replaced by crocodiles. I know I'm supposed
to think this is bad, but if an 800-pound reptile is ripping off my leg, it doesn't matter to me which kind it is. Anyway,
one aspect of global warming that the mainstream media have totally ignored is that warmer weather could have benefits for
gardeners. Look at purple fountain grass, for example. Thanks to its reddish-purple foliage and graceful, rosy-colored plumes,
it was recently inducted into the Gaudy Plant Hall of Fame and makes frequent appearances at shopping malls. But unless you
live in the Coastal or Tropical South, winter cold kills it and you have to buy a new plant each spring. Global warming can
change this. Someday soon, everyone may be able to enjoy purple fountain grass year-round. It'll look just great planted around
your brand-new crocodile pond.
Or just plant a mildew-resistant selection such as 'Natchez' (white), 'Sioux' (bright pink), 'Red Rocket' (cherry red), 'Muskogee' (light lavender), 'Catawba' (dark purple), and 'Centennial Spirit' (dark red). So on your next after-shower stroll, forget about the talcum powder. Just remember your robe.
Q: I planted lantanas in full sun four years ago. The first couple of years they bloomed beautifully, but this year they hardly
bloomed at all. I fertilized with a 14-7-7 plant food, but it didn't help. Any suggestions?
Carolyn Martin
Selma, Alabama
A: Established lantanas like for their owner to be mean and the soil to be lean. They want nothing more than full sun and good drainage. If you frequently water and feed them, you'll get lots of long, leafy stems and very few blooms. So put on a scowl, turn off the water, and pack away the plant food.
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