Just Ask: Don't spend time fixing cherry trees

Q.: I have three Mt. Fuji cherry trees in my yard. They bloom beautifully, and I love the pink flowers. This year after they bloomed, the new leaves came out then suddenly wilted. I am willing to spend the money to have them sprayed with a fungicide, but it is quite expensive, and I wanted to get your opinion on if this would save the trees. Thank you.

-- B.B., Enumclaw

M.B.: To spray or not to spray -- if that is the question, I say no spray. Cherry trees that sprout leaves then suddenly wilt have the symptoms of root rot, and there is no cure for this problem, which is caused by heavy or poorly drained soil. Make like George Washington and chop down those cherry trees.

So many local gardeners have had problems with ornamental cherry trees in our area that I no longer recommend planting them unless you can provide a raised bed, planting berm or have excellent, fast-draining soil. If chopping down sickly trees seems harsh, remember that plants are not people, and if they need expensive medicine or maintenance, it is OK to throw in the trowel and replace the weak with something more suitable to your site.

Q: What is wrong with my calendulas? I have had these golden flowers blooming in my rock garden for several years, but this year the stems on some have turned brown. Some of the buds turned black as well. These have always been the most dependable flowers and have never needed any care or any replanting. Now it looks as if I am going to lose half the plants.

-- G.H., Black Diamond

M.B.: Sounds as if your calendula (aka pot marigold) has a bit of a blight. This daisylike annual will self-seed and return year after year, but they really hated the cold, wet weather of June and are still pouting and throwing a tantrum with a fungus fit. You can save this year's plants by cutting out all the brown stems down to healthy green growth.

If any buds do open in the hot weather, save the seeds by letting one of the flower heads dry upside down in a cool spot. Then sprinkle these seeds into your rock garden in late September. Chances are we'll have a warmer, drier June next year and your calendulas will return with a much better attitude.

Q.: I have hosta plants in my new shade garden, and they have been attacked by slugs. I think I have killed all the slugs by going out at night and picking them off by hand. My question is about the damaged leaves. Will the plant leaves repair themselves and fill in the holes that were left from the slug damage? As you can tell, I am new to gardening.

-- T.S., Maple Valley

M.B.: No, once slugs home in on the hostas in your garden, you are stuck with leaves of lacework. You can cut off the most damaged leaves and, if given plenty of water, hosta plants will keep producing new foliage all summer that will replace the older, damaged leaves.