I am looking for plants to plant around the pool. Our grandchildren are 9 and 5 and will have similar aged friends over to swim, so we want plants that are non-toxic. I am searching for low, easy-care plants. The last homeowner had ginger that got dense. Some of beds get afternoon sun. Could you recommend some plants to mix in the three beds around the pool. -- Ted

Here's how I suggest you go about selecting the right plants for beds around the pool. Basically, you need to assess the growing conditions and decide on the desired characteristics.

Determine the light conditions for each area to be planted. If the area gets more than a half a day of sun mostly in the afternoon, choose plants that like part sun to full sun. If an area gets less than half a day of sun and the sun occurs in the morning, choose plants that like part shade to shade. It is very important to match the amount of sun an area receives with plants that like that amount of light.

Are you looking for herbaceous plants like gingers or liriope or New Zealand flax? Or do you prefer a shrub that grows to be the appropriate size (low growing)? Decide how tall and wide you want the plants to be. You will likely want plants that are evergreen. The gingers would have looked terrible after winter freezes. You may want to choose something hardy that will stay green and attractive over the winter.

Are flowers desirable? Choosing plants that bloom sometime during the year helps provide color to the landscape.

Make a list describing growing conditions and what you want:

Light levelsHerbaceous (non-woody) plants or shrubs, or maybe either would be fineDesired mature height and widthEvergreenCold hardyAre flowers wanted? If so, what color,Non-toxic.

Write down your list and take it with you to the nursery. Show it to the manager or a staff member and ask them to show you the plants that most closely match your list. There likely will be just a few choices with most or all of the desired characteristics. This will make your selection much easier.

If several plants are determined to be suitable and you are not sure which one to pick, feel free to run them by me to help you decide. Once I see what you like, I may even have a suggestion or two.

I know this may seem long and complicated, but it really is the best way for you to end up with plantings that are what you are looking for.

My lemongrass is 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. When would be the best time to divide and prune lemongrass? Thank you. -- Vera

Lemon grass is best divided in late March or April, once the weather is warm and settled. During the winter, subfreezing temperatures can burn back the foliage. Feel free to prune off any cold damage as it occurs. That's about all the pruning we generally do.

My sweet olive tree is blooming right now. Is this the right time of year? -- Terry

Yes, this is the normal time for sweet olives (Osmanthus fragrans) to bloom their richly fragrant flowers. They begin blooming in fall with cooler weather.

The fall bloom is generally the biggest bloom, but they will often continue to bloom intermittently all winter through April (especially older, well-established plants).

Garden tips

A LITTLE MINT: Fall is an excellent time to select and plant mints in the garden. There are many different mints with different flavors.

ORNAMENTAL GRASS: Many ornamental grasses are producing attractive flower or seed heads this time of the year. The rosy-pink clouds of muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) flowers look amazing now. Grass plumes look fantastic in arrangements indoors alone or combined with other dried materials. Spray the flowerheads with a light application of hair spray or clear shellac to keep them from shattering as they dry.

PLAN FOR TROPICALS: It's time to begin making plans for how you intend to handle your tender tropical plants in the ground this winter. Decide which need protection, how you will protect them and what you will leave unprotected (such as inexpensive, easily replaced plants).

SUPER PLANTS: Continue to add colorful cool-season bedding plants to your flowerbeds. LSU AgCenter Louisiana Super Plants selections like Amazon and Jolt dianthuses, Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunia, Sorbet viola, Swan columbine, Redbor kale, Mesa gaillardia, Diamonds Blue delphinium, dusty miller, Homestead Purple verbena and Camelot foxglove are great choices. Other great cool season bedding plants include alyssum, annual baby's breath, annual candytuft, annual phlox, bachelor's button, calendula, diascia, English daisy, forget-me-not, geranium, hollyhock, larkspur, nasturtium, nemesia, nicotiana, ornamental cabbage and kale, petunia, poppies, snapdragon, statice, stock, sweet pea and toadflax.