Q: Are there any plants that entice fireflies?
A: Changes in gardening habits will help bring in the fireflies. Try growing the grass long. The adults lay their eggs in the soil; the larvae feed on snails, slugs and worms. Eliminate the use of chemicals to preserve their food source. Also, limit outdoor lighting that can interfere with their light signals. If there’s too much light, fireflies don’t glow. Include low-hanging trees and other vegetation that will provide daytime perches for these insects.
Q: How can I get hydrangeas to bloom each year?
A: Most bigleaf hydrangeas, those with pink or blue flowers, produce blooms only on the previous season’s growth. In climates with cold winters, you need to protect the future flowering stems from the cold. Try encircling the plant with 4-foot-tall hardware cloth. Sink it several inches into the ground to keep out rabbits and voles, then fill with weed-free straw or evergreen boughs to insulate the plant. Wrapping the fencing with burlap or weed barrier will add another layer of insulation. Many Northern gardeners have given up on these plants and switched to the hardier panicle hydrangeas. Its flowers start out white and fade to pink before turning brown. The Endless Summer hydrangea collection is supposed to bloom on new and old growth. Moisture and proper fertilization are the keys to success.
