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Perennials/Expert Profile

Tom Alonzo

U.S.

Available

Expertise

I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.

Experience in the area

I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.

What do you like about this subject?

I love perennials because they will come back every year. Many of them are low maintenance and easy to grow.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I love to learn and I love plants and nature. I have a small farm now and I really enjoy getting out and working in the open air with the land. I want to learn how to live in better harmony with this beautiful planet the Good Lord has given us.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

What is interesting about perennials is the incredible number of them throughout the world. I keep stumbling on new varieties and new genera and species that just blows me away.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Plants are wonderful but the right ones in the wrong places spells disaster. What may be a noxious weed for me is a wonderful treasure to someone else and vice versa. I hope more people will learn to care more about how the natural balance in our environment is being upset and that we all must take an active role in its preservation.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

User	Date	K	C	P	Comments
Dawn	02/06/12	10	10	10
Joan	01/11/12	10	10	10
Kim	11/15/11	10	10	10	Thanks so much, Tom. Glad to hear .....
Neil	10/18/11	10	10	10	Thank you Tom. I read some of .....
Jose	10/18/11	10	10	10

Recent Answers from Tom Alonzo

2012-02-06 Evening Primrose:

Hi Rick, Thanx for your question. When you say moonflowers, are you talking about Ipomoea alba, a vine, related to morning glories with large white trumpet shaped flowers that open at night, or possibly

2012-02-03 Lilies:

Hi Dawn, Thanx for your question. I don't see why you couldn't plant day lilies in a wooden barrel. And yes, they should come back every year. I would place the barrel in a position where it does not

2012-01-04 alstroemeria princess lilies:

Hi Joan, Thanx for your question. I would just buy some standard potting soil. Use a 12-12-12 balanced fertilizer following the instructions for application on the box. In the spring I would make a

2011-11-28 Cómo plantar una wisteria:

Hola Dafne, Gracias para su pregunta. Si Ud. tiene plantas de semillas, se requiere 15+ anos para florecer. La mejoridad de las wisterias que se venden en los E.E.U.U. son propagadas por injerto y las

2011-11-13 Winter mulching:

Hi Kim, Thanx for your question. I would leave the bark be and then if it is recommended in your area to use additional mulch, follow local guidelines and mulch on top of the bark. If you're in zone

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