Question: When do I fertilize shrubs that bloom later in the season, such as crape myrtles, pomegranates, gardenias, oleanders, hydrangeas, althaeas and Texas sage?

Answer: Again, it’s best to start the year with a high-nitrogen or all-nitrogen fertilizer applied in very early spring. These plants generally bloom on their new growth, so you need to keep them active to produce more buds. A soil test will tell you whether you will ever need to apply anything different.