In the Garden with Janet B. Carson
February 4, 2012
 Where did you go? I have noticed that you are no longer on KARN every Saturday morning. I have been a long time listener and understand you may want your Saturday's back, but just wanted you to know we miss you!
 I'm still on. In fact, The Garden Show radio program is starting its 28th year today! While we are no longer broadcasting on KARN (we got bumped for a syndicated show) I am still on the Arkansas Radio Network, and now broadcasting on KAAY AM 1090 in central Arkansas. Statewide you can hear the show on the following Arkansas Radio Network affiliates: KBOK AM, Malvern, 1310 AM; KCAB in Russellville 980, KLCN in Blytheville 910 AM; KNBY in Newport 1280 AM; KOMT in Mt. Home: 107.5 FM; KVMA in Magnolia: 630 AM; KVMZ in Waldo 99.1 FM; KVOM in Morrilton 800 AM; KVSA in McGehee at 1220 AM; KWYN in Wynne at 92.5 FM and KZNG in Hot Springs at 1340 AM. The show is broadcast from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. every Saturday morning and answers your gardening questions.
My Beautyberry bushes need to be cut back. How and when should this be done?
Beautyberry or French Mulberry (Callicarpa species) bloom on the new growth, so they can be cut back as much or as little as you like before new growth kicks into high gear. Pruning should not impact flowering—and thus berry set, if you get it done early enough. I would suggest pruning in late February to early March.
I am very interested in planting two types of trees in my yard in Maumelle. I wanted one that produces' a brilliant red leaf in the fall and recently bought a October Glory Maple. I want the other one to produce a brilliant yellow leave in the fall. I've done some research on the internet and some that have been mentioned are Ginkgo tree, but I'm not particularly in favor of this one. Others are Golden Sycamore, Silver Maple, Sugar Maple, and Sweet Gum. Janet, would your recommendation be one of these, or do you believe another would be a better choice for what I want to accomplish?
Gingko's have the prettiest yellow fall color, but they can be slow to get established. Once they do, they are great. Tulip poplars have decent yellow fall color, and thornless honey locust trees are a good yellow. I would avoid silver maple, and the sugar maple is not as well adapted in central Arkansas as it is up north. It can have yellow, red or orange fall color. Same with the sweetgums—I see way more orange and red pigmentation than yellow usually. Another option is the yellowwood tree, but it is also a little slow to establish. Choosing a tree for planting in the fall when it has its fall color, can also help you get one that suits your needs, but that would mean waiting another year.
Can you tell me what the name of the plant is that is green now, dies in summer, looks similar to a calla lily, and puts on a white leaf like bloom?
I believe you are referring to the Italian Arum. It has arrow shaped variegated leaves now, can produce a white spathe-like bloom, and then when the temperatures heat up, the foliage dies back and a stalk of orange seeds can remain.
I realize that our climate is warm for the growing of currants but I would love to have some and wonder if you know how they have fared in our state. I am right between zone 7 and 8 in El Dorado.
Currants are in the Ribes genus. The common edible red currants, really don't thrive in the heat of Arkansas summers. However, the clove currant or Ribes odoratum does pretty well in our gardens and has fragrant yellow flowers in the spring, followed by small black edible fruits in the summer. While not a prolific berry producer, and a bit gangly with age, it can give you some fruit. As far south as you are in El Dorado, it would be a challenge to grow the more common edible currants.
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