Tip of the Week: tired garden help

By the first week of August, many gardens are starting to look "tired." Like the red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) first photo, and the Shasta Daisies (Chrysanthemum maximum) second photo, parts of the blooms are turning brown and looking droopy. The Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria) third photo is turning a bit yellow and there aren't many flowers left. Now is the time to cut back these rugged perennials.

Daisies can be hand selected and the worst removed or the entire clump can be sheared back to about knee high.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) can be cut back to a lower joint where you see growth. In a few weeks you will see more blooms. A smaller flush than the first round, but worth the effort.

Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria) is such a busy self-sower, I pull out any plants that are looking ratty and brittle. If the basal leaves look silvery green and healthy, I leave that plant to grow for the next year. The seed pods will broadcast plenty of starts as well.

After a nice clean up, water your garden deeply, as much as one inch in a single slow watering. This will ensure the vigor of the late summer growth. And be sure to keep watering if you hope for a second round of blooms!

Foliage care: If leaves and branches on a few plants are unsightly, remove them now. Keep only healthy green stems and leaves around for the robust look in your garden.