June Horticulture Hints

I have always thought that June is our most beautiful month. No wonder the first week is National Garden Week. Former President Ronald Regan said it succinctly when he said, “America's gardens produce an abundance of fruits and vegetables to enliven our tables and a stunning variety of flowers and shrubs brighten our lives with their beauty.” He proclaimed the first National Garden Week in 1986. Now it is observed throughout the country during the first week of June.

Garden Tasks

Crape myrtles are coming into bloom now. When selecting cultivars for your landscape, consider the different growth habits. If you want a low-growing shrub, select a low-growing cultivar. Shrubs can be had that mature from 18 inches to about 35 feet tall. Select one that will mature at the desired height rather than cutting the top out of the crape myrtle when it grows too tall. For instance, if a white crape myrtle is wanted, consider just how tall you’d like it. A bit of research will reveal that ‘Acoma’ grows to about 10 feet tall, while ‘Natchez’ matures at 25 feet tall. Big difference!

Plant a colorful tropical for a splash of color all summer. Consider Chinese hibiscus, copper plants, croton, mandevilla, ixora, pentas, bougainvillea, or allamanda. Plant in the ground or in a large container. They will provide color all summer if watered and fertilized regularly.

Do your plants and the environment a favor by using grass clippings and leaves or pine needles in your landscape instead of sending them to the landfill. Use these beneficial materials around shrubs and trees. Mulch moderates soil temperature, blocks weed growth, retains moisture, and adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down. Mulch can be the lifeline for plants as they struggle through the hottest part of the summer.

Prune azaleas before the month is over if you have not already done so. In July they will begin setting flower buds for next year’s growth.

Check large trees in the landscape. Remove dead limbs for hurricane protection. Consider some thinning cuts to lighten the weight of top-heavy trees and allow wind to blow through. Avoid cutting new limbs where stubs will sprout and cause the canopy to become thicker. Such cuts may cause your tree to topple more easily during a strong wind.

If you wish to plant palms in your landscape, summer is the best time. Many palms are hardy in the Panhandle. For information about palms for our area, download Publication ENH-59, “Ornamental Palms for North Florida,” from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. A copy of this publication can also be obtained by calling the Extension office in your county. When requested, a copy will be mailed to you free of charge.

Late June or early July is a good time to root camellia, gardenia, azalea, aucuba, viburnum, and other woody shrubs. The wood is beginning to harden, but it is still in the growing mode. Root by stripping the lower leaves from four- to six-inch cuttings. Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone if desired, and stick them in moist, well-drained soil. Maintain moisture and humidity.

Lawn Care

Keep an eye out for fungus and insects such as chinch bugs and mole crickets in the lawn. If you see signs of damage, call the extension agency for treatment recommendations. Make sure that lawns receive at least an inch of water per week. Water on an as-needed basis instead of with a timer set on automatic, if possible. Keep lawnmower blades sharp. Avoid fertilizing when it is hot and humid, as it often encourages brown patch. Consider replacing some of the lawn with drought-tolerant ground covers. For shady areas choose liriope, ferns, aspidistra, selaginella, or low-growing, shade-tolerant shrubs. For more suggestions, consult my book, Groundcovers for the South.

Container Gardening

Consider adding a container garden to your landscape for the summer. It can be the perfect solution for those who have little space, poor soil, and limited strength and energy. Nothing beats a pretty container of plants for adding quick and easy color right where you want it.

If you choose to plant these plants in a container, be sure to pay attention to a few details. Choose a container that is big enough for the ultimate size of the plant/s that you choose. Select a well-drained soil mixture and incorporate a good slow-release fertilizer in your potting soil. Plan to water frequently.

For a great container garden, choose a “thriller,” a “filler,” and a “spiller.” In other words, select something tall and beautiful, something to spill over the edges of the container, and something to fill in and transition between the two. You will find many suitable combinations.

You’ll soon learn that by gardening in containers, you can have a beautiful garden. On top of that, creating them is just plain fun. For particularly attractive combinations, choose a plant that cascades over the sides, one that is tall and lends height, and one or more mid-height plants to fluff out the edges. Many selections at the plant sale will meet these needs.