Yep, it's true. If dear neighbor has a great lawn, did you think he was trying to sabatoge you? Weeds want the same basics that grass wants, air and water. The only thing is, they want them in different way and utilize them differently. Keep the grass higher than the weeds to shade the weeds from sunlight and smother oxygen. Deep water to irrigate grass roots because weeds are basically shallow-rooted and like shallow water conditions. But, there is more to mowing that best serves the grass plants, themselves. And don't be afraid of the weedkiller. It is likely you have bluegrass (please correct me if I'm wrong) in your lawn and maybe other species along with it, but the bluegrass, given the opportunity, will fill in the empty spots. One good thing for you is it isn't a good idea to broadcast herbicide anyway (although I must admit I would probably do that being the way you describe your lawn LOL), so just get a trigger spray and spot spray some at a time. Give the grass a couple weeks and spot spray some more. I am suggesting this along with a good maintenance schedule to follow. Scroll down that link for schedule outlined in red. Pay particular attention to the paragraphs on watering and mowing. I feel like a broken record because I say that so often, but it is necessary and very important.

Allelopathy could certainly be the culprit, but I think a more likely possibility would be root issues. You mention the trees were in 25 gal containers. Interestingly, it is known that trees in smaller containers will actually establish better than trees allowed to grow in larger containers. It may well be that this one Meyer had developed root issues, and this is what you're seeing. Did you check the roots to see if they were circling the pot before you planted it? Did you trim those roots? Anytime I see an overall tree decline or overall failure to thrive, I first consider the roots. But, certainly, if this is not this issue and has been ruled out conclusively, then consider what plants are near this struggling Meyer and consider either moving those, or moving the struggling Meyer to a clearer area of your yard. With allelopathy I always think of Black Walnuts which are one of the most distinctive examples of allelopathy for us home gardeners. Patty S.

Hi Jim, Thank you for the detailed account of these two sweet plants. I have been to a talk about what triggers blooming, and it is mostly photo-periods. For some tropical plants and bulbs it could be the onset of dry season or wet season. One consensus is that there seems to be no "blooming hormone" so to speak, and a plant will bloom when it is mature and well-nourished. Since your fiddlewood is healthy and mature, maybe you can adjust your watering schedule to simulate habitat rain pattern. Many plants do bloom better when they are stressed a little bit. I am growing quite a few plants that are not hardy in my area. One Artabotrys is already over 6' tall and I wonder if I will be able to see my Cananga odorata seedling bloom before it gets too tall. I guess we just have to accept that these plants will only provide a shorter than normal period of enjoyment out of its native range, but certain plants can last quite some time. For example, I saw many Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus in half-barrel containers with 4"-diameter trunks in gardens in Beijing. They must be at least 20 years old and they bloom reliably at very manageable sizes.

Thank you for sharing Marlen's wonderful story. I miss her so much and always stand a little straighter when I see our American flag and hear our National Anthem. And her recipes were the best.