Ed Hume Answers Your Gardening Questions Ed Hume cannot answer all of the garden questions he receives, but questions of general interest will be answered here every month.  Email your questions to HumeSeeds@aol.com.  Please note: we do not accept attachments. Before submitting a question, be sure to check the index of previous questions and answers or search our site using key words.  Many questions have already been answered here on the site. Other March Links Frost Dates and Hardiness Zones   Children's Indoor Gardening Projects Companion Planting Cooperative Extension Service Information Early Flowering Rhododendrons  Starting Seeds Indoors Planting Peas and Sweet Peas Seed Planting Chart Soil pH for Vegetables  Ed's Favorite Gardening Books    March Projects   March 2002 Q&A March 2001 Q&A March 2000 Q&A March 1999 Q&A March 1998 Q&A    March 1997 Q&A   March 1996 Q&A Pruning Clematis Should I cut back my clematis vines in the late winter or early spring or let them stay on the trellises? Pruning clematis in late winter, depends on the variety. The early spring flowering varieties like "Montana rubems" is pruned after it finishes flowering. The large flowering varieties like 'Nellie Moser or Ramona' are pruned at this time of the year, because they flower later. I use the rule, if it flowers before June, do not prune it now. If it flowers after June, prune it now. If you let them continue to grow on the trellis that's all right too. The only problem is pretty soon you have a mess of tangled vines and it's not too pretty during the fall and winter. Daphnes in Hot Weather Will Daphnes grow well here in Tulsa, OK? I miss them so and would very much like to plant some in our gardens. I've not yet met any nurserymen who are familiar with them, which doesn't necessarily mean the Daphne won't grow here - am hoping that it simply means that it is not a common/popular plant in this region. The temperatures are a bit extreme for Daphne. Too hot during the summer and too cold during the winter. Daphne mezerum, the February Daphne might do all right. With a bit of summer protection and again in the winter, you might be able to grow Daphne Cneorum, the rock, rose or garland Daphne. It's touch and go, that's why the nurseries do not carry them. Wisteria Vines from Seed Can you plant the seeds inside wisteria pods to grow new wisteria? They are rather difficult to start from seed, because they need bottom heat. It's easier to take cuttings or simply layer the vines. If you want to try starting the seeds, after drying, sow in springtime, in a greenhouse or in the house in a tray (flat) that has a heating cable or heat pad below. Barely cover the seeds with soil. Peaches and Apricots for the Pacific NW We are interested in planting peach and apricot trees and would like to know what varieties are best for this area. I assume you are in the Pacific Northwest? One of the best Peach trees is the 'Frost Peach'. One of the best Apricots is 'Puget Gold'. Return to Library - Back to Home Page