Question: We relocated from Minnesota to Louisiana, and was not ready for the summer heat in the southern states which make it unbearable and difficult to get much outdoor work done in the afternoons. I’m trying to readjust to new seasons. As a new “southerner” what things do we need to work on in the landscape and garden during July. Amiee, Lafayette, Louisiana
Answer: Amiee, although heat and humidity characterize the South in July, gardening still claims our attention.
Mulching is very important now, and, unless there are heavy summer showers, watering is usually a daily job. Pests increase by day and night, so spraying and dusting must be continued. Now is the time when new plants should be started from the old.
Mulches should be placed about the bases of newly planted trees and shrubs. Oak leaves and pine needles, both of which can usually be had for the gathering, are desirable for trees and larger shrubs. Peatmoss and vermiculite are more suitable for roses and smaller plants. A bale of peatmoss is inexpensive and goes a long way. It conserves moisture and that is essential in this climate.
Starting Some Annuals
Annuals such as petunias, verbenas and sweet alyssum are the most satisfactory for summer flowers. If you did not start them from seed, secure rooted cuttings which will bloom almost at once.
Verbena is charming and effective with the summer phlox and lilies. Plant it with the native lily, Hymenocallis occidentalis, which is one of the daintiest and most useful of our smaller lilies. This likes a moist ground and with verbenas is appropriate for planting around a birdbath. Verbenas will also grow in drier areas. Try a Lavender verbena among yellow and orange hemerocallis.
Prime Season For Layering
Layering is one of the easiest and best ways to secure new plants from old. Any flowering tree or shrub with branches which droop to the ground is suited to this means of propagation. Make a slight cut underneath the selected stem. Bend the stem so that the cut is placed in the soil and put a small brick or stone over the stem to hold it in place. When new leaf buds appear on the stem, roots will have formed and by fall you will have a new plant, ready to be lifted and planted in a permanent spot.
Camellias and azaleas grow quickly from layered stems. Flowering trees, such as the pink dogwoods, magnolias, plums, cherries and crabapples can all be propagated in this way. The broad-leaved evergreens which make low growth – abelia, pittosporum, Viburnum tinus and hollies – are easily increased by layering.
Pruning For Perfection
Unruly sprigs of dwarf boxwood, Buxus sempervirens suffruticosa, can be cut off and planted in trenches of good soil where they can be watered easily. Be sure to dip the cut stems in rooting powder (rootone) before planting. If you cut long stems when removing faded flowers from roses you may use the stems for cuttings after removing the spent blossoms. Climbing roses can be layered. Gardeners who prefer “own root” roses will find these simple measures will add much pleasure to gardening.
Hardy Chrysanthemums and Asters
Hardy Chrysanthemums and hardy asters now begin to send up many long stems which should be cut back frequently to make the plants low and symmetrical. Later the plants will produce masses of colorful bloom on stems strong enough to hold them upright.
Now is the time to order hemerocallis for fall planting. Daffodils and iris should be ordered as well. A good plan is to select ten different daffodils and order ten of each kind. By choosing early, midseason and late varieties, you can extend the bloom over many weeks, and have clumps of flowers from February to May. The soft beautiful colors of Dutch bulbous iris (Iris xiphium – Spanish Iris) and the netted iris (Iris reticulata) make a grand foil for the gold of the daffodils.
by J Lester
