Birdbaths and fountains need an occasional scrubbing

TIM MOREHOUSE, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Originally published May 19
Q: How can I prevent the growth of algae and slime in my birdbaths?

A: Birdbaths and fountains should be cleaned periodically to control dirt, bird droppings, leaves and scum. Use a stiff scrubbing brush and soapy water. Borax or a mild solution of household bleach (one part bleach to nine parts water) may be added to the soapy solution. Scour, rinse and refill with fresh water. Glycerine is sometimes recommended as an additive for keeping birdbath water from freezing. Do not use it. Glycerine is harmful to birds.

Q: How much sunlight, water and so on does a jasmine need to flower? Should I pinch it back?

A: Keep your jasmine plant in full sun during the winter months and semi-shade during the summer. Most jasmines require a minimum temperature of 55 degrees when grown indoors. They also need a growing medium of equal parts loam, coarse sand and peat moss.

Keep the soil evenly moist most of the year. Less water is needed during the winter. Jasmine produce either white or yellow tubular flowers in clusters either at the tips of branches or in leaf axils. You can pinch back these plants to form bushier, more shrublike growth of leaders and branches for flowering.

Q: How much shade can an Exbury azalea withstand and still flower well?

A: No azalea can withstand dense shade. The Exbury azalea is a sun-loving, deciduous hybrid. It will not bloom in heavy shade. At least a half day of full sun is necessary for good flowering.

Q: Is removing faded lilac blossoms beneficial?

A: If your lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is robust and growing vigorously, don't bother to remove the faded flowers. If, however, your lilac is not in the best health, preventing seed set by early removal of faded flowers will give the plant more strength.

Have a gardening question? Write to Tim Morehouse, The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. You also can write to him via the Internet at www.getmoregarden.com.

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