It has been an extremely sweltering summer. Some of my plants are doing well and the weeds are doing much better. The rain and the heat are proving to be challenging this year. Any tips to help me feel better about my garden and caring for it in this heat?
Unfortunately, weeds have a way of appearing out of nowhere and quickly taking over. Choose the coolest part of the day, pick a starting point, and work through it slowly and steadily. It may feel overwhelming at first, but once you start to see the progress, it’s a real relief. Wear gloves and grasp the weeds at the base. This enables you to get as much root as possible. If there are no viable seed heads, compost the weeds. Most importantly, use a 1 – 1.5-inch layer of mulch in the area. This will aid in suppressing the weeds and minimize the need for excessive watering. Mulch is also a wonderful way to build healthy soil. Barren ground is the easiest place for weeds to settle in and take over.
Daylily Hemerocallis stalks and foliage can become unsightly after the daylily’s bloom. What do I do to rejuvenate their appearance?
We enjoy this plant when it is in bloom and then the reality of after bloom confronts us. Leaving the stalks to dry and turn brown is one option if it is in the middle or back of the border. Planting taller, robust, later blooming plants will discretely provide cover. Daylilies Hemerocallis which have finished blooming often have tattered, season worn or yellowing foliage in addition to this unsightly stalk. All of this can be trimmed, allowing new foliage to fill in quickly. There are some re-blooming daylilies that after a refreshing trim, add a clean appearance to the late summer garden.
My peonies Paeonia look as though they are covered with white powder. Some of the leaves also look dark and diseased. What did I do wrong? Are they dying?
Peonies Paeonia offer such a gorgeous vision in the spring. By mid-summer, their appearance can be a little off putting. This plant likes to have good air circulation, is not a fan of humidity, but is a tough plant that survives our DC summers. There are a few things to remember to ensure a healthy plant for next spring. By mid-to-late summer two diseases seem to appear. Powdery mildew or Phytophthora blight. These are fungal issues which, when properly identified, can be treated. The foliage has had time to absorb energy from the summer sun. It is safe to cut the foliage down and discard. Do not add this to the compost bin or pile. Make sure to gently clean any diseased foliage away from the crown of the plant. Ask a reputable garden center for a fungicide to apply. Proper application is essential to minimize the return from season to season. Proper garden hygiene is key to maintaining a healthy plant. Consult with your local Extension office to properly identify and resolve these disease issues.
Want to learn more about gardening or spend time with people who like plants? For more information go to the Capitol Hill Garden Club website at capitolhillgardenclub.org. Send your questions to capitolhillgardenclub@gmail.com.
