The Virginian-Pilot
                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, October 2, 1994                TAG: 9409280057
SECTION: HOME                     PAGE: G1   EDITION: FINAL 
COLUMN: REMINDERS
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   58 lines

SWEET SMELL OF ELEAGNUS ONE OF FALL'S SMALL GIFTS

ELEAGNUS IS IN bloom. The tiny white blossoms on the underside of the limb are hard to see, but you'll smell their wonderful fragrance if you have any in your yard. Eleagnus is often referred to as Russian olive, and its fragrance isbetter than any perfume. The plants are filled with thorns and grow into huge bushes, but if you have a bare corner, plant one. The fall fragrance alone is worth its small cost. BOUQUET OF BULBS

Connie Cross, a landscape designer in Cutchogue, N.Y., says: ``The biggest mistake that people tend to make is to plant too few bulbs. Then they're disappointed come spring. One of the reasons is that, in fall, there is still summer color in the garden. It's important to imagine what the garden is going to look like after winter when no other flowers are out. The other mistake people make is to plant one tulip here and another there or to plant their bulbs too far apart. Mass tulips together. Whether you're planting 20 or 2,000, you'll get the greatest impact by planting bulbs close together in groups or color blocks. Think of creating little (or large) bouquets in the garden.''

Oct. 15 to Dec. 15 is the best time for planting bulbs, so keep those hints in mind. \ HARBOR YOUR HIBISCUS

It's almost time to bring your tropical hibiscus inside for the winter. They can be kept indoors and will bloom sporadically. Leave outdoors until danger of frost, then move in to a bright sunny location.

The biggest winter problem is pesky, sap-feeding aphids that get on them. They're hard to eliminate, but Joe Freeman, horticulturist for Florida's Cypress Gardens, recommends using a soap or soap plus oil spray. A new natural insecticide called Neem also can be used. WORMS WORTH SAVING\ Chemical fertilizers and insecticides can lower the populations of earthworms. Earthworms and their burrows aerate soil, increase water infiltration and drainage and improve soil structure. The U.S. Agricultural Research Service reports studies show that certain insecticides are particularly toxic to worms, drastically lowering their populations. Anhydrous ammonia, a form of fertilizer, can be extremely toxic if earthworms are within 2 to 3 inches of the application point. Any fertilizer or soil amendment that changes the soil pH can have a toxic effect on earthworms, the ARS reports. For information, call (515) 294-3336. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Massing tulips and other bulbs in color blocks brings the greatest

reward when springtime comes.

by CNB