Birds are nesting in my hanging planters.  I don’t want to harm them, but what can I do to discourage them?

You can discourage birds from nesting in hanging baskets by putting the basket on the ground for three or four days. Birds normally like to nest in high, protected areas.

I have a 3 year-old clematis that has never bloomed. Why not?

There may be a few reasons why a clematis may refuse to cooperate when it comes to flowering. One of the more common reasons is inadequate sunlight. Clematis should receive a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun to insure that they have enough energy to produce flower buds. Clematis foliage loves the sun, but their roots like cool and moist conditions, so be sure to provide shading for the base by placing another plant or object in front and by maintaining a 2-inch layer of mulch over the rooting area.

The other reasons for not flowering may include improper pruning, as well as damage due to winter exposure. Some clematis varieties flower on new wood, while other varieties produce their glorious flowers on old wood, or last years’ growth. If an “old wood” variety is cut back in the spring, then so goes the flowering for that season. In order to determine if your clematis blooms on old wood or new wood, wait for new growth to begin. Note whether the majority of shoots are coming from the ground or from the old vines. If the shoots are coming from the ground, the old vines may be cut down. If the new growth appears on the old vines, only prune dead wood.

Lastly, if your clematis is an old wood variety located in a winter exposed area, you might be losing stems to drying and cold damage. Large amounts of dead wood in the upper portions of the plant are an indicator of this condition. Without healthy old wood, these clematis are unlikely to bloom.

What is the correct amount of mulch to use?

When using natural mulches, such as shredded bark and wood chip materials, the recommended thickness for use around trees, shrubs and evergreens is 3 inches. Remember to periodically add more mulch to planting areas as it decomposes, but be careful not to exceed the 3-inch thickness at any time.

Mulching around perennials is also recommended to help conserve moisture and to help control weeds. Apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch around plants, however be sure to keep the mulch at least 2 inches away from plants’ stems to avoid possible damage.