Favor? If you send me a gardening question (which I'm delighted to have), please tell me where you live. It can make a HUGE difference in the answer.

DEAR BRENDA: I have a beautiful variegated hibiscus that is starting to turn solid green. It gets morning sun. Help! A.M.

DEAR A.M.: Leaf variegations, such as on this variegated hibiscus, can be affected by how much sun a plant received. Shade plants will lose variegations if they get too much sun. Sun-lovers lose variegations if they don't get enough sun. Since hibiscus are sun-lovers, I would assume that this one might need more light to keep the variegation. But be careful. You don't want to move a plant, especially an hibiscus, suddenly into bright sun. It might sunburn. 

Do it slowly and watch the new leaf-growth.

DEAR BRENDA: The leaves on my Azaleas turn brown, then the steam, and finally, the whole plant dies. I can find no bugs or any secretion on the leaves. I replace these plants and the new plants do the same thing. I have checked the PH, fertilize, and mulch. They're shaded by a pecan tree. Please help. BK

DEAR :BK First you need to tell me where you live. If you're not in the Greater Houston area, this may not apply. The further north and east you live from Houston, the easier it is to grow azaleas.

But not under pecan trees — anywhere. Green pecan leaves contain tannic acid, a natural herbicide. It evaporates quickly when the leaves die, but since still-alive leaves are always falling, it's often very difficult to grow anything, often even tough St. Augustine grass, under a pecan.

But before you move them, let me expound on azaleas in the Greater Houston area.

The fact is that after 30+ years of doing this column, I have come to the conclusion that azaleas are by far and away the most often planted-then-die landscape flower/shrub/tree.

Azaleas like a slightly sandy, slightly acidic soil that is heavily mulched preferably with pine needles or oak leaves (to keep the acidity high). They don't like our mild winters, our blasting hot summers, our high humidity, our droughts or our floods.

I know you see magnificent azaleas around Houston. I suspect these are ol der, tougher stock that is no longer available. Or, they are planted in the few pockets around Houston where they do seem to do well. Or they are tended by fulltime gardeners (the Azalea Trail). Or, they are tended by gardeners with green thumbs who can make anything grow. There are people like that, I am convinced.

But for the most of us (and I believe at last count I have personally killed close to 50 azaleas when my neighbor across the street grew the most magnificent once imaginable), azaleas are just NOT a good plant for this area.

Having said all that, here's what I know about what you need to do to grow azaleas.

They need a spot with filtered sun, such as you would get under very tall pine trees. They don't like full sun or complete shade. They cannot compete with tree roots, hence the preference for pine trees which don't send out too many side feeder roots, at least, not as many as oaks do. At least, they can't compete in our gumbo soil. As you travel north and east of here, especially through the Old South, you see many gorgeous azaleas. But they also have sandier, more acidic soil than we do. The rain, which is plentiful, just sort of kisses their roots as it passes by and leaves. Here it settles in and stays.

They like to be EXTREMELY WELL DRAINED. Ideally here they should be planted so that half the rootball is above ground. You dig your hole, then add back a mound of soil so that when you spread the roots over it half the root ball is above ground. Add back the soil, then mound the rest up over the rootball.
Mulch well with pine bark, oak leaves or oak leaves mixed with pine needles.

Azalea roots fan outward, another problem here. The top layers of ground dry out very quickly. Azalea roots like even moisture. If you water them every day in the summer in gumbo soil, the lower soil levels get too wet. If you don't water every day, the top soil layers, where the roots are, dry out. You can't win. But a good thick mulch will help.

Never plant anything else close to azaleas because of these outward-fanning roots.

You don't ever need to prune azaleas, unless they grow out of bounds or in an unattractive shape. If you MUST prune them, do so immediately after they bloom. In April and May they start setting buds for next year's blooms. If you prune after, say, June, you cut off all the next year's flowers.

For the same reason, you should fertilize once right after they stop blooming, and again six weeks later. Don't fertilize any more than that or you could force the blooms to open too early, or not to form properly. For the same reason, don't let the plants dry out in the summer, those forming buds need moisture.

All this applies to your standard, spring-blooming azaleas. New lower-growing ones on the market (which I have also killed) like the Ruffle series and Encores, will bloom spring and fall and often in between as well. I don't find them any hardier than the big ones, but you may have more luck with them.

Don't let me discourage you, however, if you really want azaleas. Try them somewhere else.

DEAR BRENDA: I have several crape myrtles that just appeared!
Unfortunately, they are not growing in locations where I'd want them. One is directly next to a mature crape, another is next to a young oak, and the other is in with the hibiscus. Can you tell how I can safely move them to different locations without damaging or killing them? Another question, can crapes be rooted in water? Thanks a bunch for your help! B.

DEAR B: Crapes often spread by root runners. You can transplant them anytime, although winter is the best time. Still, once they set a strong root system it's sometimes very hard to get all the root mass out and it will continue to sprout branches. So if I were you, I'd get them out as soon as possible.

The weather conditions were probably just such that the big crape sent out runners. It may not happen again; but again, it might.

Hardwood plants (like crapes) are often hard to root in water. Can't hurt to try, but don't get your hopes up. Use very friable newer wood, not hardened bark. It's easier to dig up the plant, slice off a section of bark with root attached and plant that.

When you transplant these, use a product called SuperThrive (available at nurseries). It's a sort of super rooting hormone. Follow label directions. You only use a tiny bit.

EMAIL GARDENING QUESTIONS TO BRENDA AT: brenda@guidrynews.com.  (Be sure to tell me where you live!)

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GREATER HOUSTON/GALVESTON/BEAUMONT GARDENING CALENDAR

(If your group has a May event that is not listed, it's because it was not sent to me in time for this column submission. Send gardening event notices to Brenda at brenda@guidrynews.com. Events submitted to this column may also appear in the Houston Chronicle Garden Calendar if space permits. These are pretty much printed as submitted.)

Monday, August 8: “How to Start a Community or School Garden” by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane, 713-880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org; free but registration required. Have you been thinking about starting a community or school garden? Learn the basic ingredients for a successful community garden, including planning, coordination, finances, and garden design. Gary Edmondson has helped to build community and school gardens in his work at Urban Harvest.

August 11: “Yard Care Basics,” 7-9 p.m., U of H Cinco Ranch, 4242 S. Mason Rd., Rm. 118; free. Fort Bend Master Gardener event, 281-341-7068 or www.fbmg.com.

Saturday, August 11: “Miniature Roses” by Robbie Tucker, 7:30 p.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive; free. Houston Rose Society event,
713-861-5412 or www.houstonrose.org.

Monday, August 15: “How to Start a Community or School Garden” by Dr. Bob Randall, 1:00-3:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; free; 713-880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org; registration required. Have you been thinking about starting a community or school garden? Learn the basic ingredients for a successful community garden, including planning, coordination, finances, and garden design.  Dr. Bob Randall has advised over 150 community garden projects since 1987.

August 16: "A Taste of the Tropics: Flowers, Form and Fragrance" by Linda Gay, Director of Mercer Arboretum at 6:30 pm., Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr; Master Gardener event. Call 281-855-5600. Access http://hcmga.tamu/edu

Tuesday, August 16: “Beneficial Insects in the Garden” by Don Johnson, 2 PM, Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge in Sugar Land; free. Sugar Land Garden Club event, 281-565-9813 or www.sugarlandgardenclub.org

Thursday, Aug. 18: Registration deadline for the Master Gardener Fall Class starting August 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays for 12 weeks, Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive, http://hcmga.tamu.edu; $150. Register at 281-855-5600.

August 18, "Gardening with Native Plants in the Floodplain," by Margaret Gnevuch. 7PM, Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway. Native Plant Society event, free.  Phone (713)681-3665 or www.npsot.org.

Friday (August 19): Registration deadline for the August 27 Tropical Gems Workshop: “Make and Take a Mounted Staghorn Ferns/Learn to Plant Tropical Container Gardens” by Angela Chandler, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., Vaughn’s Nursery 15647 Ave. C in Channelview; $40. Register at (281) 991-8437 or hcmgap2.tamu.edu. Harris County Master Gardener Precinct 2 event.

Monday, August 22: “Selling at the Farmers Market” by Ray Sher, 4-6 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane, 713-880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org; $30. Whether you own a backyard garden in the city or a farm in the countryside, selling at the farmers’ market is an easy way to get a big return for labor. Find out how to set up shop at a market, including packaging, displays, pricing and market rules. Ray Sher is a market gardener at the Westbury Seeds Market Garden.

Wednesday, August 24: Digital Photography is Here to Stay by Leroy Williamson, 7:30 PM, Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive. Free. Houston Cactus & Succulent Society event, 713-827-8545

August 25: “Flower Arranging” by Marsha Gould, 7:15-8:15 p.m., Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or http://fbmg.com

Saturday, August 27: Plumeria Society’s Hawaiian Festival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and “Plants of Hawaii” (for children) 11 a.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; free.

Saturday, August 27: Houston Plumeria Society 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 13-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com, free; no reservation needed;

Friday, September 2: Registration deadline for Harris County Master Gardener Precinct 2 Classes, Tuesdays, Sept. 6-Dec. 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff; $150. Register at 281-991-8437 or hcmgap2.tamu.edu

Saturday, Sept. 3: “Compost Your Vegetables” by Rich Boettler, 10 a.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; free.

Sept. 6: "Earth Kind Roses" by Carol Brouwer, Harris County Agent at 12 noon. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr.; free. Master Gardener event, 281-855-5600 or http://hcmga.ramu.edu.

Wednesday, September 7: “Herb Primer” by Lana Simms, 10 a.m., 1202 Genoa Red Bluff, free. Harris County Master Gardener Precinct 2 event, 281-991-8437 or hcmgap2.tamu.edu

Thursday September 8: "Gardening Basics I: Backyard Composting" by John Cleveland, 6:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; 713-880-5540; www.urbanharvest.org; $20. Compost is one of the best things you can add to your garden's soil. Make it using garden refuse, yard waste and other free organic materials. John Cleveland is a past president of Urban Harvest Community Gardens and is a Certified Master Composter.

Saturday & Sunday, September 10-11: The Houston Cactus & Succulent Society's annual Show & Sale at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive. The sale is from 9:00 AM to 5 PM both days. The show portion is open to the public from 10:00 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and from 9:00 AM to 5 PM on Sunday. Free event. Houston Cactus & Succulent Society event, 713-827-8545

Saturday, Sept. 10-11: Cat Spring 20th Annual Antiques & Garden Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 11, Historic Cat Spring Agricultural Hall, 13035 FM 1094 in Cat Spring; (5.00 Kids Free), (979-865-5618)

Monday, Sept. 12: “Ferns” by Walt Hesson, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland HIlls in Kingwood; free. Lake Houston Gardeners event, 832 968-9870.

Monday, September 12: "How to Start a Community or School Garden" by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane, 713-880-5540; www.urbanharvest.org; free class; registration required. Have you been thinking about starting a community or school garden? Learn the basic ingredients for a successful community garden, including planning, coordination, finances, and garden design. Gary Edmondson has helped to build community and school gardens in his work at Urban Harvest.

September 13: “Old Fashioned Plants for the Garden” by Suzzanne Chapman, 9:30 a.m., Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview Drive; $5. Jersey Village Garden Club event, 713-466-6885.

Tuesday, September 13: "Using Land Effectively By Sustainable Design" by the Permaculture Guild of Houston, 7:00-9:30 p.m., 2990 Richmond, 713-880-5540; www.urbanharvest.org; $160. This class includes using natural patterns in garden design, assessing land's potential to meet social needs, and studying how plants relate to, support, and benefit each other. Complete four courses to receive your permaculture designer's certification.

Saturday, September 17: "Fabulous Fall Florals", by Tricia Barksdale, 11 am, Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota, 936-870-4111, www.marthasbloomers.com <http://www.marthasbloomers.com; free

Monday, Sept. 19: Registration deadline for the September 24 WinterGreen Fall Plant Symposium, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive; $15. Register at 281-855-5600. Harris County Master Gardener event.

Monday, September 19: "How to Start a Community or School Garden" by Dr. Bob Randall, 1:00-3:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; 713-880-5540; www.urbanharvest.org; free class; registration required. Have you been thinking about starting a community or school garden? Learn the basic ingredients for a successful community garden, including planning, coordination, finances, and garden design. Dr. Bob Randall has advised over150 community garden projects since 1987.

Tuesday, September 20: “Dazzling Discoveries and Timeless Treasures for Your Garden” by Heidi Sheesley, 10 a.m., Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way in Sugar Land; free. Sugar Land Garden Club event, 281-565-9813 or www.sugarlandgardenclub.org

Sept. 20: "Cool Season Color" by Gary Outenreath, horticulturist at 6:30 pm, Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr.; free. Master Gardener event, 281-855-5600 or http://hcmga.ramu.edu.

Sept. 22: “The Ecological City: Just How Green Is It?” by Dr. John Jacobs,
7:15-8:15 p.m., Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or http://fbmg.com

Thursday September 22: "Gardening Basics II: Working with Soils & Mulches" by John Ferguson, 6:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; 713-880-5540; www.urbanharvest.org; $20. Learn the basics of soil preparation, bed building, and a primer on soil structure and the soil food web. John Ferguson owns Nature's Way Resources and is considered one of the leading experts on soil science in Texas.

Saturday, September 24: Fall Plant Sale, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., at Clear Lake United Methodist Church 16335 El Camino Real in Clear Lake City. Harris County Master Gardeners Precinct 2 event, 281-991-8437 or hcmgap2.tamu.edu

Saturday, September 24: “Garden Art and Plant Sale,” 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 930 Sugar Lakes Drive in Sugar Land; free. Sugar Land Garden Club event, 281-565-9813 or www.sugarlandgardenclub.org.  Sale will feature plants best suited to our area -- including unusual and hard to find selections, metal trellises (large and small) and garden-themed art including mosaics, watercolors and jewelry, handmade jellies and soaps.

Saturday, September 24: “Plant a Bulb” by Rich Boettler, for children, 10 a.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; free.

Saturday, Sept. 24: WinterGreen Fall Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive, 281-855-5600; free. Harris County Master Gardener event. Plant Sale: 9 am - 2 pm. We will have bulbs as well as perennials, vines, herbs, roses, and vegetables. "WinterGreen Symposium" Fall is the best time to plant many landscaping plants and vegetables. Come let the experts show you how to have Green in the garden all Winter. The Symposium is 10 am - 3 pm and there is a $15 fee which includes lunch. Registration is required and the deadline is September 19th. Call 281-855-5600 to register.
Symposium Schedule: 10:00 - Building Healthy Soils for Houston. John Jacob, PhD., Associate Professor and Environmental Quality Specialist Texas Cooperative Extension; 11:00 - Earthkind Products and Techniques by Skip Richter, County Extension Agent Horticulture, Travis County; 12:00 - Lunch or Shop. Pick up your box lunch and enjoy or save if for later and go shop for your favorite plant; 1:00 - Fall Vegetable Gardening by Bill Adams, County Extension Agent, Horticulture, Emeritus; 2 - Gardening by Michael Bettler, Co-Owner of Lucia's Garden .

Saturday (Sept. 24): Fall Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real; free. Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardeners event,

Monday, September 26: "Selling at the Farmers Market" by Gita Van Woerden, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane, 713-880-5540; www.urbanharvest.org; $30. Whether you own a backyard garden in the city or a farm in the countryside, selling at the farmers' market is an easy way toget a big return for labor.  Find out how to set up shop at a market, including packaging, displays, pricing and market rules. Gita Van Woerden is Owner of Animal Farm Permaculture Center & Market Farm.

Wednesday, September 28: Soils for Cactus & Succulents by Richard Stamper, 7:30 PM, Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive. Free.Houston Cactus & Succulent Society event, 713-827-8545

Saturday-Sunday, October 1-2: Peckerwood Garden Open Days, 1-5 p.m., 20571 FM
359 in Hempstead, 979-826-3232, www.peckerwoodgarden.com; $5. Open Days are an opportunity for the public to visit Peckerwood Garden for self-guided tours between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Parking is at Yucca Do Nursery. Please contact us or visit our web site for further information.

Oct 4: "Bromeliads" by Odean Head, Bromeliad Society at 12 noon, HC Extension office at 3033 Bear Creeks Dr. Master Gardener event Free. Call 281-855-5600 access http://hcmga.tamu.edu

Wednesday, October 5: “Cactus and Succulents” by Phyllis McEuen, 10 a.m., 1202 Genoa Red Bluff, free. Harris County Master Gardener Precinct 2 event (281) 991-8437 or hcmgap2.tamu.edu

OCT. 6-7-8, 2005 63rd Bulb and Plant Mart will be October 6, 7, and 8, 2005 at Westminster United Methodist Church 5801 Bering at San Felipe. Authors booth/rare plants? Saturday only.

Saturday, October 8: "Fall Into Spring" by Dee Howell, Horticulturist, City of Houston Parks and Recreation. 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920,
281-351-8851 or www.arborgate.com; free.

Saturday-Sunday, October 8-9: Fall Plant Sale and Gardening Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, (ADDRESS?), 512-292-4200 or www.wildflower.org; FEE?

Friday-Saturday (Oct. 14-15): Pink Elephant Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 15), The Hornberger Conference Center, 2151 w. Holcombe Boulevard; free. River Oaks Garden Club event, 713-523-2483 or visit www.riveroaksgardenclub.  Clothing, Bric-a-Brac, Accessories, Shoes, Antiques & Collectibles, Priceless Treasures and Our Famous Plant Booth. Proceeds from the Pink Elephant Sale benefit the Houston Community through education, conservation, environmental programs, beautification projects and scholarships.

Saturday, October 15: Herb-a-Palooza: Herb Sale, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., Clear Lake United Methodist Church 16335 El Camino Real in Clear Lake City; free. Precinct 2 Harris County Master Gardeners event, 281-991-8437 or hcmgap2.tamu.edu.

Saturday-Sunday, October 15-16: Peckerwood Garden Open Days, 1-5 p.m., 20571 FM 359 in Hempstead, 979-826-3232, www.peckerwoodgarden.com; $5. Open Days are an opportunity for the public to visit Peckerwood Garden for self-guided tours between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Parking is at Yucca Do Nursery.

Oct 18: "Gardens of London and East Anglia" by Bill Adams, retired Harris County Agent, at 6:30 pm, Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr; Harris County Master Gardener event. Free to the public. Call 281-855-5600.Access http://hcmga.tamu.edu

Saturday, Oct. 29: Bazaar for All Seasons, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or http://fbmg.com

Wednesday, November 2: “Preparing Your Beds for Spring” by Suzanne Chapman, 10 a.m., 1202 Genoa Red Bluff, free. Harris County Master Gardener Precinct 2 event, 281-991-8437 or hcmgap2.tamu.edu.

Sunday, Nov. 6: “Holiday Decorations for Mantel and Wreaths” by Hollie Fairchild, 9 a.m.-noon, Burgess Recreation Center, 4200 Kalwick in Deer Park; $25.  Deer Park Petal Pushers Garden Club event, 281-542-9731.

Thursday, November 17: “Plants Growing in the Lazy Gardener’s Garden” by Brenda Beust Smith, 7:15-8:15 p.m., Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or http://fbmg.com

February 11: Fort Bend County Fruit Tree Sale, time to be determined, Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or http://fbmg.com

March 18: Fort Bend County Perennial Sale, time to be determined, Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or http://fbmg.com

April 4, 2006: A Garden Club of America Small Flower Show. Presented by the
18 Clubs of The Garden Club of America Zone IX (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, & Texas), The Omni Hotel


IF YOU ENJOY BRENDA'S COLUMNS, YOU'LL LOVE HER GARDENING BOOKS — available online at www.urbanharvest.com.

FROM THE LAZY GARDENER •

• “The Lazy Gardener's Guide” — revised and updated! First published 10 years ago, The Guide is described by Brenda as “a gardening book in calendar format … so you don't have to think!” Based on her humorous-yet-informative Houston Chronicle calendar, The Guide details what gardeners should be doing in the garden each month, provides garden designs (using the hardiest plants for our climate) for butterflies, hummingbirds, sun, shade and a variety of other typical suburban situations. Filled with funny and touching anecdotes from decades of covering gardening in the Greater Houston/Galveston area. As the daughter of a BOI, many of these involve Galveston sites and people!

• GARDENING WITH DOGS. Co-authored with Frances Burke Goodman, this little booklet offers tips, landscape plans, good plants for dog-challenged areas and lots of fun insights into why dogs do what they do (and how you might just unknowingly be encouraging “bad” behaviors!)

Look for all these River Bend Company books at your neighborhood nursery this fall or online at www.urbanharvest.com.  For a list of potential retail sources, to order by email or to receive an order form, contact River Bend Company at 713-621-3468 or email: RiverBendBook@aol.com.