A case in point is the issue raised by a reader in this recent e-mail:

QUESTION: “We have a small townhouse back yard and I was wondering if you had any suggestions on an evergreen to plant by the fence which has good vertical growth for screening while not overwhelming the back yard with horizontal expansion.” – John Brauer

ANSWER: You have quite a few choices! Any kind of arborvitae would do, but the one I would recommend is known as the Degroots Spire. It can grow to height of 20 ft with a spread of only 3 feet. Another option, if time to grow is not an issue, could be the Hatfield Yew. It can reach a height of 30 ft with a spread of up to 20 ft. However, it adapts well to being pruned to a narrower shape. If you would consider something a little more exotic, how about a variety of bamboo called Green Screen? It is non invasive, clumping and fast growing and can grow as tall as 15 ft or more.

QUESTION: “I had a large hibiscus purchased from a florist that sat in a west facing window. The non-stop blossoms were show-stoppers and I managed to harvest 3 seeds from the plant. When I moved to the US from Canada I could not bring my plants but was thrilled when one of the hibiscus seeds germinated and grew. Now, 10 years later this plant has never bloomed despite my best efforts. I feed, prune and place it outdoors for the summer. What can I do to make this plant bloom?” – Lynda McLean

ANSWER: There is a trick I use with wisteria that you might want to try. Around November, when they go dormant, I dissolve one tablespoon of Epsom salts in a gallon of water and saturate the soil at the base of the plant. Then I do the same thing again in spring just before they start to leaf out. Garden centers often carry products that claim to aid blooming, so that might be worth investigating, too.

One other thing comes to mind. Since you only have the seed from the plant, you may have just a seedling and not the cultivar of the exact plant. If that is the case the bloom will not be the same.

QUESTION: “I have a question about the Rose of Sharon trees I bought last fall. The rabbits and other creatures have nibbled the plants, some to the ground and others to within a few inches of the original 18" plant. Will they grow from the roots? I fertilized and mulched, but I did not enclose them in wire cages. Is it too late? They haven't leafed out yet, but it is still early as I write this.” – Sherlyn Hogenson

ANSWER: I guess you can understand why Elmer Fudd felt the way he did about Bugs Bunny. I believe there is a good chance that your Rose of Sharons will come back from the roots. But when they do, you might want to spray them – and anything else the rabbits are bothering – with a product called Rabbit Stopper. It works by smell and taste and can still be effective after quite a heavy rain. If you can’t find it, drop me another e-mail and I’ll pass on some shopping information.

QUESTION: “I have some pine trees (they are 3 yrs old) and I am wondering why the pine needles have turned a lighter green?” – Anna Steinke

ANSWER: Depending on where you are located, most pines go through this at the beginning of spring where the needles look kind of ragged, then the new spikes appear with new, fresh needles for the summer. So I wouldn’t worry too much, unless the needles fail to return to their regular color by summer.

The Plant Man is here to help. Send questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org. For resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve’s free weekly e-mailed newsletter, go to www.landsteward.org