Why doesn't my  three-year-old hydrangea ever bloom?
Most varieties of bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), such as 'Forever Pink' and 'Nikko Blue,' usually do not bloom in Iowa. The bigleaf hydrangea blooms on the previous season's growth. Unfortunately, in Iowa, the plants often die back to the ground in winter. The plants grow back vigorously in spring, but don't bloom since the previous season's growth has been destroyed. A new cultivar called ‘Endless Summer’ is a much better choice for Iowa gardens as it blooms on new growth.

The white flowering hydrangeas (H. arborescens and H. paniculata) commonly grown in Iowa bloom on new growth. They are relatively trouble-free. Once established in the landscape, they should bloom every year.

There are several large surface roots around my maple tree. Can I safely cover these roots with soil?
Most tree species have shallow roots. The vast majority of a tree’s roots (possibly 90 to 95 percent) are within one and a half feet of the soil surface. As the tree roots grow, some of the larger roots near the soil surface may emerge from the ground. While many individuals regard surface roots as unwelcome, they are normal for many trees.

It’s usually best to ignore surface roots as much as possible. (Granted, mowing around surface roots can be tricky.) Covering the area around the tree with 1 or 2 inches of soil provides only temporary relief. The tree roots will continue to grow and will probably reappear in a few years. Placing 4 or more inches of soil around a tree may damage or destroy it by depriving some of the tree’s roots of oxygen.

If you’re not fond of mowing around the tree roots, you could destroy the turf and apply mulch around the tree. Wood chip or shredded bark mulches are actually beneficial to trees. An appropriate mulch depth for areas around trees and shrubs is 2 to 4 inches.

How soon will my compost pile be ready for use? 
The rate of decomposition depends upon the composition of the compost pile, level of management, and other factors. A well-managed compost pile (one that is watered and turned regularly) containing a mixture of shredded plant material should be ready in 2 to 4 months. A good compost pile contains a mixture of green materials, such as grass clippings and dry materials like leaves and straw. Compost piles composed of unshredded materials and left unattended may take a year or longer to decompose. The timing of compost pile construction is another important factor. Compost piles prepared in fall will not be ready until early summer. Compost piles constructed in spring should be ready in mid to late summer.

The foliage on my bleeding heart dies back in early summer. What is wrong?
The common bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) typically dies back in mid-summer in Iowa. However, plants may die back in late spring or early summer if growing conditions are not favorable. The common bleeding heart performs best in partial shade and moist, well-drained soils. When the weather is dry, periodically water plants from spring to mid-summer.

If the growing site is poor, it may be necessary to move the plant to a more favorable site. The common bleeding heart can be transplanted in early spring just as the new growth emerges from the ground.

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