Gardening questions answered by Pike Nurseries - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

We've received plenty of questions from our viewers when it comes to gardening and some of the problems they encounter! Melodie McDanal of Pike Nurseries stopped by Good Day Atlanta on Friday to answer some of those gardening questions!

Question 1:
My big, beautiful hydrangea has had one bloom in the last three years. It's been being trimmed in February, is there a better time to cut it back? Thanks, Sherri in Lawrenceville.

Answer 1:
When you prune hydrangeas depends on if they bloom on new or old growth. If you have a variety like ‘Annebelle' that blooms on new growth you'll want to prune your hydrangea in December or January while the plant is dormant. If you have a hydrangea that blooms on old growth trim back the hydrangea in June. If you're not sure if you have a hydrangea variety that blooms on new or old growth bring in a picture of your hydrangea to Pike Nurseries and we can help you identify it.

Question 2:
I have the "climbing rose bushes" and they are as tall as the gutters on my single story house.  When is the best time to prune back the rose bushes? How low can I cut them back? Thank you, Sharon Dennis.

Answer 2:
The best time to prune most roses is late February when the "eyes" or growth buds on the canes begin to swell and turn red. The first thing to do is cut back any dead wood and crossing branches to clean up the rose. Next cut back the canes a couple feet from the height you'd like them to be. You can cut roses back to 2 or 3 feet but they may not reach the height you prefer during one growing season.

Climbing roses bloom on canes that are 2 to 3 years old. Be aware that if you remove a lot of the older wood, you may sacrifice some or all of the blooms for the season.

Question 3: 
My Leland Cyprus trees are now 12 years old. They are extending several feet into my driveway. Please suggest a way to cut them back (aesthetically pleasing) so they don't brush the car and make it difficult to park in the driveway and exit the car. Thank you, Bonnie.

Answer 3:
Leyland Cypresses are known to grow quickly (up to 3 feet per year) and becoming quite large making them a great plant to create a privacy fence. The con is that they grow quite large. For best results, control the size of these plants with annual pruning. Prune overly long growth along sides. To maintain the plant's conical shape, keep the base wider than the top of the tree, like the letter "A".

If you have a question for the experts from Pike Nurseries the Good Day Atlanta crew at goodday@myfoxatlanta.com. Include your name, your city, your question, and a picture if you can. We may use your question on a future segment.

Click the video above to listen to the questions and answers!