There are no products in your shopping cart.
Plant of the Week
Lobelia
| Scientific name | Lobelia erinus |
| Common name | Lobelia |
| Type | Annuals |
| Variety | Annual |
| USDA Zone hardiness | 1 - 8b |
| Exposure | Full sun |
| Height | Under 1' |
| Spread | Under 1' |
A low growing perennial generally grown as an annual. Grown in full sun to shade, does better in the cooler weather and often goes out of bloom when it gets hot. Look for heat tolerant cultivars. Cut back after first bloom, fertilize and water to maintain flowering in the summer.
Recent Question from Gardeners
Question
Sterile Roses
Hi. Last year I was given several climber rose bushes. They have grown prolifically all Summer but not a single rosebud appeared. Do I wait another year or dig them out and start again. Rgds Neil New Zealand
Answer
I would give them sometime, they could be going through a bit of transplant shock. If the climbing roses continue to not produce flowers there are a few common reasons.
Common Reasons Roses Won't Flower
1) Lack of sun, roses do best in full-sun, which is 6 or more hours each day during the growing season. The more sun the better. If you find that the roses are not receiving a sufficient amount of sunlight try relocating them to more sunny location.
2) Over-fertilization, it may seem counter intuitive however over feeding often leads to the production of leaves and not flowers. Many over the counter brads of fertilizer are high in nitrogen and when most flowering shrubs are given excess nitrogen they tend to produce leaves, hence more fertilizer does not equal flowers. If you find that over-fertilization maybe the reason your roses won't flower I recommend using a rose specific fertilizer and following the recommended application rate.
3) Over & Under Watering can both be the root cause of the lack of flower production on roses. If you insert you finger in the soil it should feel moist not wet. Roses species prefer a well-drained location for best results. Overwatering can lead to many different disease, fungal and insect problems. Underwatering is far less detrimental to the overall health of the rose plant, however it will cause the rose bush to go into a dormant state and will not produce flowers and may drop the majority of it leaves.
4) The ideal soil pH for roses is around a 6.5 pH, if your area is known for having a high or low pH you may consider having a soil test done. Once your soil has been tested you can amend the area in the desired direction.
HAPPY GARDENING
WELCOME!
- Plant Life Online provides Gardeners a vast searchable index of Landscape Plants, Fruits & Vegetables. Gardening Questions? Ask our Horticulture Experts in the O&A section.
