David: Apple blossoms grow in clusters. Healthy apple trees in their 2nd year in the ground are capable of ripening out a couple or three apples without any harm. But if and when those blossoms set fruit, thin the clusters to the one best fruit each. If they don't set fruit, then it's out of your hands, but they will probably do so next season. I thin apples to one per cluster even on mature trees to maximize fruit size and quality. Not trying to maximize numbers here. I wouldn't bother about the cherry tree, which will probably not set and hold fruit. But if it does, all the better. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

I can tell you from years of experience that trying to grow anything under maple trees doesn't work. Their root system is very shallow and too near the surface. I planted and killed more Sum & Substance hostas than I care to think about. What I do to add splashes of color is to "plant" big pots of annual flowers such as impatiens or other colorful flowers under the tree using big colorful pottery pots. I have big pots in several different glazes that I love, but I do have to take them inside my shed during the winter. I also have a hanging blue gazing globe that I also use for additional color that I hang from the tree branches of my Sunset Maple. Wind chimes are also a fun alternative.

There is a building in Galveston that has bulbine in full shade, not a bit of sun all day. They are thriving and blooming. A few blocks away it is planted in full sun. They are also thriving and blooming. Spreads nicely once it gets going. Tally HO!

Thanks, Al, for your answer. After sunset...? Well, I was kind of applying the reasoning that dictates we mow the lawn either in the early morning or the early evening and not at high noon. I suppose mowing the lawn and pruning blossom buds are best accomplished according to entirely different principles. Still, they both involve cutting...