Q: The rabbits have done a job on my shrubs. I’m thinking of cutting these down to about 1.5 or 2 inches. When is the best time to do this? Thanks for your input. — Greg D.

A: Rabbits have been troublesome again this year. On the upside, deciduous (leafy) shrubs bounce back quite nicely after rabbit damage. Evergreens, on the other hand, can be permanently destroyed because they don’t regenerate the way deciduous plants do.

To repair rabbit damage, prune all branches down to a point below where the rabbits have gnawed away the bark. The pruning should take all branches back to 6 inches above soil, or lower. I like your idea of 2 inches.

Rabbits occasionally consume entire branches if they can reach the tips, effectively mowing a shrub down to near ground level. When this happens, I suppose we can thank the rabbits for rejuvenating our deciduous shrubs.

Often, though, as in the case of our roses, rabbits gnaw away the bark, which usually kills everything above the area they’ve girdled.

Pruning shrubs to repair rabbit damage is best done in late March or early April, before any new growth starts, and when winter’s coldest weather is likely past.

Q: I have a question about apple tree spraying. There are so many products online that it’s very confusing. Could you recommend a specific insecticide for the coddling moth and apple maggot insects that you mentioned during your recent webinar? Spinosad was mentioned, as I recall. Also, is there a recommended fungicide for apple trees? — Jeff K.

A: There are several options for controlling insects and diseases in apple trees. The Spinosad you mentioned works well on the two main insects, coddling moth and apple maggot, that attack regional apples. Other insecticides also list the insects on their label.

Insecticides won’t control diseases, of course, which is why a fungicide is needed to control apple scab disease, which causes lesions on leaves and fruit, and early yellowing and defoliation of trees.

Because both insects and diseases can be problematic, all-in-one products are handy that control both insects and diseases, rather than needing multiple products. Such products are often labeled “Fruit Tree Spray,” “Home Orchard Spray” or similar.

Most garden centers, hardware stores, national chains, and online shopping sources carry such products. Search the labels to be sure the products list coddling moth, apple maggot, and apple scab disease among the insects and diseases controlled.

Having one product to control apple insects and diseases is very handy. Follow label directions for timing and number of applications.

Q: My wife and I saw the introduction of a most delightful-looking new hosta with red-ringed leaves, and I simply had to order the seeds. The seeds arrived, and I was looking forward to getting them started. Imagine my surprise to see your feature in The Forum, accompanied by the exact picture of what I now understand to be a fake plant. Seems the only red to be found will be from my blushing, embarrassed face. — Greg V.

A: Don’t feel bad, Greg. As mentioned in the column about AI-generated plants that only exist in someone’s imagination, I was likewise duped by an iris that, on closer inspection, was growing from daffodil foliage in the beautiful AI image.

Greg continues: “Twelve bucks for the seed paled in comparison to what I’ve spent on hosta plants over the years. At our last house, I collected hosta varieties to spread throughout that shady backyard.

“I recently had dutifully laid out these hosta seeds and set up my hydroponic plant starter in preparation for starting the seeds. Oh well, I’ll use the grow light and hydroponic kit to grow the Blushing Star tomato seeds I ordered. Thanks for your good work on behalf of gardeners and students.”

Thanks for sharing your experience, Greg. Hosta will indeed grow from seed, so if the seed you ordered is viable, it will likely produce hosta seedlings that are green or variegated. Some hosta are shades of blue.

Unfortunately, the seeds won’t grow into the red-and-white-leaved hostas that were pictured in the online shopping site. Hopefully, it will someday be illegal to use AI photos to deceptively sell seeds of imaginary plants.