Hydrangeas are fast becoming the preferred summer-to-fall-blooming perennial in gardening zones 3-9, and for good reasons: They bloom profusely in a variety of colors, adapt to a variety of soil types, and require very little maintenance. But…you can’t really go crazy planting around them. Why not?
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Poet Robert Frost was onto something in 1914 when he wrote: “Good fences make good neighbours.”
Sage advice. I started the “good neighbor” trend between neighbors to the Northeast and Northwest by planting trios of Green Giant arborvitae/thuja to naturally “box in” my backyard. These dense, fluffy, fast-growing trees make magnificent privacy fences year round, shading the deck in brutal, southern-summer heat and looking postcard perfect with dustings of Christmas snow. When one neighbor installed a garish orange-red wooden fence several years ago, I was beyond thankful the Green Giants would block that view in a single growing year. With a mature height of 50-60 feet and spread of 12-20 feet, these deer-resistant beauties “fluff out” in a way that makes the backyard feel like a secret garden, whilst providing wild-life hiding places. They are truly magical. Buy the largest starter you can afford, then plant in a well-spaced row or alternate in V-shapes for a thicker hedge. With visible growth of 3 or more feet/year, you’ll want to companion-plant trees at quite a distance or wait to install until your arborvitae’s mature growth is achieved. Do's and Don't's of creating a winter gardenWith frosty nights killing off fall blooms, it’s time to consider your winter garden. Winter…what? Yes! You can enjoy an amazing garden in winter, as long as you focus on these five elements:
As summer winds down, gardeners start itching to do something other than water, water, water. And, maybe, water. There’s a need to tidy up, move things around, plant something new. But hold on, anxious gardeners. You might just be on the verge of making a big garden mistake. For instance: It could be way too early to…
So just gather some important details before you attack that fall garden to-do list. Your plants will reward you for it next spring and summer. We’re officially in that time of the growing season when perennial shrubs are looking a little…tired. And roses probably look the worst. Time to prune!
But it’s hot, you say. And it’s humid. And I don’t want to make things worse. Fear not! Late-August to mid-September are excellent times to get in a healthy prune. With the right tools and techniques, you can convince those beauties to flush new growth and finish the gardening season strong. Just follow these steps:
Your roses may look a little “stark” after a good pruning. You might think, Oh no…what have I done?? Just know that roses will leaf out within days, looking fresh and happy, and not at all irritated with their late-summer cut. And within weeks, you’ll be rewarded with flowering beauty. It’s that time of the gardening season where our hard work potting up beautiful plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs come to the rapt attention of…critters. Yes. Those naughty, curious, destructive, insistent chipmunks, squirrels, voles, mice, bunnies, raccoons, armadillos—you name it—just cannot leave our pots alone!
What can we do about the destruction, short of posting “No Critters Allowed” signage everywhere these persistent non-readers gather? Here’s what I find works:
As usual, the chemical deterrents work best. But if you’re chemical-adverse, give the DIY options a shot. Hit or miss, your wildlife will appreciate the challenge. If you live in or near the woods, like I do, a constant Battle for the Plants rages between humans and wildlife. And the most notorious contestants? Deer.
Hostas, impatiens, daylilies, lavender, yarrow, catmint, lamb’s ear, hydrangeas, ageratum—even thorned roses—are all delectable treats for nibbling deer lips. And sometimes even your more genius deterrent efforts fail. Your best long-term solution is redirecting their paths with fencing, lighting, lawn sprinklers, and wind chimes. But for short-term solutions, consider these:
By Fall, you may just be tired of the deer battle and resort to deer-resistant plants. But if you really, really, really want those hostas in your shade gardens, a smattering of creative solutions may do the trick! If you’ve ever grown hydrangeas, you know they crave one element more than any others: water. With “hydra” as part of their name, you can probably guess they are not drought-tolerant plants. Plus, their shallow root systems lose moisture quickly. On average, hydrangeas need water at least every other day, and deep watering once/week.
BUT…some varieties can do better in the hot, rainless, dog days of summer than others. Try these Zone 3-8 options:
So if you’re in the market for hydrangeas—but worry about watering needs—choose panicle varieties like these. Then relax on your porch, deck or garden bench and enjoy the show! Wasn’t spring grand? All those cool, breezy months of budding trees, unfolding tulips, raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens. Ahhh… And then BAM! Almost overnight, we blasted into the dog days of summer—those cloudless, parched, blazing hot, brutal days that suck the energy out of both humans and vegetation. The dog days are when your outdoor containers really need the workhorses of plants. The persistent sun and heat can dry out soil in even the best-made pots, so filling them with drought-tolerant flora will save you from twice-daily watering and summer-plant fatigue. Give these a try in your thrill, fill, spill combinations:
Ground covers often get a bad name, because next to them you’ll inevitably find the word “invasive.” But that may be exactly why you need them! When a creeping plant “invades” a space, it chokes out weeds and can even suppress erosion on hilly landscapes. They spread by either underground runners from the main plant or by developing roots along their stems.
Consider these hardy beauties:
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Christine SchaubA Michigan farm girl transplanted to the South offering hospitality hacks. Categories
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