Readers’ questions answered

'Warm Igloo' Dendranthema. Photo courtesy Blooms of Bressingham North America

We’re catching up with readers’ mail this week, including yet more queries about the Igloo series mums (Dendranthema) I wrote about several weeks ago.

I wish I could tell the dozens of you who have written, including P.C. of Indianapolis most recently, where you can buy the mum, but I don’t know. Unfortunately, that’s the way it is frequently when new plants are introduced.

All I can suggest is that you ask at your favorite garden centers early next spring to see if they can order the mums, which are branded as Blooms of Bressingham. Or, check with your favorite online or mail-order garden catalog retailer to see if the mums will be available. I’ve been in touch with the plants’ marketing representatives about availability, but have nothing new to report. If I learn anything more, I will post it on my Web site.

Amaranthus tricolor or summer poinsettia. Photo courtesy Parkseed.com

Reader V.C. in Indianapolis wants to know where she can find a summer poinsettia, which is just one name for this annual, Amaranthus tricolor. Some of its other names: Joseph’s Coat, tampala and Chinese spinach. This plant is usually available through seed catalogs and online plant retailers, such as Park Seed and Burpee.

Lastly, a former neighbor, W.M. of Martinsville, Ind., has an iris bed with weeds and grass. “Is there anything I can use to kill the weeds and grass and not kill the iris?,” she asked.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that would kill only the unwanted plants. There’s no easy way to rid the bed of grass and weeds. The best method is to hand dig them out. The best time is after a nice soaking rain.

Compost season

Mother Nature provides all the ingredients we need this time of year to start a compost pile. Next spring, the compost will be a terrific additive when making new beds, planting and transplanting. Compost also can be used as a mulch in the veggie garden. Here are some composting tips.