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A. Since it’s a parasite that attaches its roots to the tree, poison is not an option. If you can, prune it out. Some people try covering it with burlap and plastic. Even after a year and a half, however, it will re-sprout once the cover is removed.

Sometimes leaving it on for two years will finally kill it. Mistletoe especially likes hackberries, and in that case, you may want to remove the tree. For longer-lived specimens, prune to keep it under control.

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‘Belinda’s Dream’ Rose
Antique rose enthusiasts may want to stretch their borders a bit when they encounter this newcomer with an old-fashioned look and dependability.

‘Belinda’s Dream’ is a modern shrub rose, bred right here in Texas to have a high degree of disease resistance and the ability to keep on producing blooms throughout the season. ‘Belinda's Dream’ is an outstanding choice for anyone looking for roses that fit in as landscape shrubs and who wish to grow beautiful roses without the need for constant spraying and coddling.

It has beautifully formed buds that are tight and shaped like a typical tea rose. These buds open into large, fragrant pink blossoms that are great for cutting to enjoy indoors. This rose tolerates our highly alkaline clay soils but will do best in a soil with some compost worked in and good drainage. Like all roses, a full sun exposure is best.

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• It’s a great time to plant roses. Although it’s most tempting to get them in April when they’re blooming, you’ll cause the plant a lot less stress if you can get it started now.
• You can start pruning your roses—except for those that bloom only once in spring. Antiques need little shearing—simply clean up dead or messy canes and shape them up. Dip your pruners in rubbing alcohol or spray with Lysol between cuts and plants.
• Mix in some slow-release granular, organic fertilizer to fuel their new growing season.
• You can still plant cool weather crops for another week or so. Continue planting woody ornamentals to get them established before summer.
  

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