Roses
may be the star of the garden in May, but they take a lower billing
to daylilies in June. These easy-to-grow perennials are a staple
of southern gardens. Their spectacular colors and superior flower
forms are irresistible and they are also easy to hybridize.
Daylilies
are not the only color in the June garden. Hot colors abound, with
gladioli, red hot poker, yarrow and numerous annuals also competing
for attention. These beautiful flowers are compensation for June,
which is usually the beginning of unpleasant temperatures, sticky
humidity and biting insects for months to come. Oh, and did
I mention drought? Keep the water hose ready and try to schedule
your gardening work for early mornings or evening hours.
Plants
of Interest
What
to Plant
Not
much! This is definitely NOT the best time to plant trees, shrubs,
roses or perennials.
Annuals
and vegetables can be planted with caution but you must make sure
they do not dry out. Some bulbs, like gladiolus and dahlia, can
be planted also.
Fertilize
roses
- fertilizer every two weeks with liquid fertilizer.
Give your roses an extra treat by occasionally alternating fertilizer
with fish emulsion.
vegetables
- begin
harvesting.
annuals -
severly
cut back petunias and other annuals which are beginning to look
leggy and scraggly.
water
Watering
is a fact of life for successful gardening in the South. Be aware
of rainfall amounts and if there has not been at least one inch
of rain in one week, turn on the sprinklers!
pest
control
I
don't like to advocate the use of chemicals and I myself only use
them in dire situations. However, we live in a region where conditions
are ideal for promoting fungal diseases and devious insects are
just waiting to pounce. In mild cases, I have had success with insecticidal
soap (which is safe for the environment). Blackspot is a common
occurrence on roses, although many of the older varieties are not
plagued by it. Roses that are (like Don
Juan) will need to be sprayed every two weeks with a fungicide.
prune
Remove
spent blossoms on perennials and annuals to promote more blooms.
Cut spent blooms on hybrid tea roses by cutting the cane right above
the first set of five leaves.
pinching
Continue
to pinch chrysanthemums until the end of this month.
