A few years ago, this plant started growing in my garden. I did not plant it so I'm assuming that maybe a bird somehow brought it into my yard.

I would love to know what the name of this is. I cut it back each year and the following year more plants appear.

At first, the leaf appears, then comes a pod out from the plant and after a few days, the pod opens up and reveals this flower.

I think they are quite beautiful, but they do not have a nice smell. Any idea what these are?

– Carol Vela, West Sacramento

According to UC Master Gardener Bill Pierce, your mystery plant is Dracunculus vulgaris.

Nicknamed "voodoo lily" or "black arum," the plant is native to Europe. It grows and flowers in spring and then disappears until the following year. Pierce agrees, it is pretty – until you get close enough to smell its rotten flesh odor.

This seed covered my property like snow between rains this spring. Could you please clue me in to what this is and what I'm in for?

– Margaret Shelton, Sacramento

Those oatmeal-like flakes are elm seeds, according to UC Master Gardener Bill Pierce. Elm seeds that ripen in spring germinate readily, so you may see many little elm sprouts soon.

What kind of tree is this? It has white fluffy cotton on it sometimes. The leaves are long and thin.

– Wilda Ostrom, El Dorado Hills

Your tree is a member of the willow family (Salix), says UC Master Gardener Bill Pierce. There are more than 300 species in this family and it's not possible to identify your tree from the specimens you sent. When this tree produces "cotton," those are the seeds. They will be blown by the wind and distributed around the neighborhood.

Identification may be possible with a larger sample that includes a branch with foliage attached. Consult the El Dorado UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners at (530) 621-5502.

I have a row of six Italian cypresses. They are very tall, taller than my neighbor's house top. A friend of mine said I have to take them out. If not, they will harm my neighbor's house because of their root system. They will harm their water pipes, etc.

The distance from my cypresses to my neighbor's wall is about 2 feet. Is it too close to their house?

Do I have to cut them down or pull them out? I love them and want to keep them.

– Phuong Nam Pham, Lincoln

Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) can reach a height of 60 feet and a width of 5 to 10 feet, says UC Master Gardener Bill Pierce. If they are 2 feet from your neighbor's house, they could damage the exterior of the dwelling.

These trees do not have massive root systems and are not known to destroy foundations or water pipes. But this close planting will interfere with the natural beauty of the trees as they mature.

Pierce suggests that you move the trees to another part of your property. Fall or early winter is a good time to do this.

Alternately, if you do not have other free space, why not move them to containers? Pots will restrict the growth of the trees and they could be moved gradually to larger pots as the years go by. At Hearst Castle, they have huge Italian cypresses growing in large containers. It can be done.

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