It has been a week of deadheading, cutting back, tying up and fertilizing. I have always disliked July because things begin to look scruffy and like they are done for the season. However, when I force myself to boldly cut back those plants that can take it, I am rewarded with fresh new growth and the motivation to continue gardening. Many years ago, I used to want to give up this time of year what with the insects, browning leaves and lack of new blooms.
I know with all of the "super" annuals, it lulls us into the feeling that we do not have to do any maintenance on these plants. This is simply not true, as they can become very leggy around this time of year and need a little bottom haircut. If your plantings are climbing all over each other, don't hesitate to give a little pruning so each plant can show their beautiful blooms.
7 comments:
For me, it's the heat and the mosquitoes. It becomes so unpleasant to spend time outside I begin to dread it.
When the daylilies finish, there will be the ragged foliage left but that is one of the easier plants of cut back.
Have a great 4th.
Marnie
Great pics.i hate dead heading. I wait till the day lily and hosta stalks turn tan.
Thank you for your kind remarks on my post. jim
Hi Eileen. This was a great week to work in the garden. We had a cool down so to work I went LOL! Cleaning those beds. Your phlox is so pretty and I love it when it starts to bloom around here. Some are so fragrant.
Jean has a website for her garden art at:
http://www.hockinghouse.com/
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
I agree Marnie, much easier to get rid of daylily foliage than daffodil and tulip.
Eileen
Thank Lona, I am going to take a look at her website.
Eileenn
Wonderful pics! I didn't know there was a Maggie Daley astilbe
Yes, and it is named after the Mayor's wife. It is a deeper pink than the picture shows. I have found it two years in a row at Home Depot. I have paired them with Ghost Fern in the back and with Lirope and Heuchera in the front shade area.
Eileen
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