I would like to plant some pyracantha shrubs in my backyard. What kind should I buy, and how should I care for them after planting?

Most people buy pyracanthas for their beautiful fall fruit; however, they often misjudge how big these shrubs can become. So, my first suggestion is that you purchase a variety that will fit the area where you intend to grow it. Some pyracanthas grow 10 to 15 feet tall and equally as wide while others only grow 4 to 5 feet in height, but even the shorter varieties can spread quite widely.

Also, be aware that, like other plants of the rose family, pyracantha is subject to scab and fireblight diseases. Be sure to select a disease-resistant variety.

Your plants should need little care. As they mature, some of the oldest canes should be removed each year to promote the growth of healthy young canes from the base. Pyracantha should never be sheared with hedge trimmers. Hedge trimmers destroy the graceful arching form of the shrub, and, because shearing creates so many wounds on plants, it makes them more susceptible to disease.

Local home centers and department stores are selling spring bulbs at a considerable discount. Why are they so much cheaper than those in good garden centers?

There are a couple of reasons. First and most important is a difference in quality. Top-quality bulbs are considerably larger than those found in discount stores. Check the labels on the boxes. The measurement is the circumference of the bulbs in centimeters. Second, bulbs sold in discount centers are often packaged into bags of 50 or more. This will also reduce the price.

While you can save considerable money purchasing bulbs at discount centers, be sure you check the bags thoroughly. Your bulbs should be solid and heavy. If the bag feels light, it may indicate that some of the bulbs have dry-rotted.

Dennis Bishop is an urban horticulture educator for the Baltimore office of the Maryland Cooperative Extension Services. If you have a gardening or pest problem, you can call the Home and Garden Information Center hot line (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at 800-342-2507. You can also e-mail questions, order publi-cations and diagnose plant problems by visiting the Web site www.hgic.umd.edu.

Checklist

1. Putting away your lawn equipment for the winter? Be sure to empty the fuel tank before you store it. This will help keep the fuel system clean.

2. When planting fall trees, do not add amendments to the backfill. Trees grow best when they are planted in their native soil.