For many decorative gardener in our region , June is a maintenance month . plant have been select and plant , the temperatures are climbing steadily , and now we needto weed , pinch back , deadhead , H2O , and monitor for plague and disease .
Just a reminder : The Piedmont Master Gardeners website has a raw feature : monthly garden tasks and tips are now appearing under Gardening Resources on the main page of the PMG site . For more June point and tasks , take a smell atGardening Resources / Monthly Gardening Tips / Piedmont Master Gardeners
DAFFODILS
Do n’t cut back daffodils until the foliage turn yellow or just lease the foliage die back . Bulbs put in food through the foliage for about 6 weeks after blooming is finished . Note that not all daffodils will change by reversal yellow at the same time . The foliage of early foul-up will be ready for cutting before mid - to - late bloomers . If your daffodils were done anthesis in mid - April , they should turn yellow by early June .
June is the prison term to divide crowded chunk of Narcissus pseudonarcissus that are n’t make as many flowers . When the leave have turnedalmostall brown , carefully dig up the bulbs and separate them . Either replant them right away or put in them until fall and plant then . think to take a picture of your daffodil planting , or localize a strong-arm mark where you plan to add more bulbs in the fall .
DEADHEADING
Many perennials benefit from deadheading , which is removing seed headsafter flowering is finishedto take into account the flora to put in more energy for next class ’s bloom of youth . As shortly as plants are allowed to prepare ejaculate , chemical substance are sent to stop flower product . Removing spent bloom myopic - electric circuit this message so that the flush will continue to flower .
Flowers with larger blooms can be deadheaded bycutting one spent flowerat a time . Such flower let in peonies , Narcissus pseudonarcissus , roses , and zinnia . Another proficiency isshearing across the top of a plant life that hasmany small blooms . This technique can be used in June - July for either pre- or post - bloom management . betimes bloomerssuch as catmint ( Nepeta ) , mountain bluet ( Centaurea montana ) , campanula ( Campanula ) can beshearedby about one - thirdafter bloomingto encourage a second bloom and to tidy the plant ’s appearance . after - blossom plantswith small flowers , such as sneezeweed ( Hellenium autumnale ) , can be sheared by about 6 - 8”before bloomingto encourage substantial branching and denser growth .
There isanother deadheading technique for plants that have flower spikes that rise from basal foliage(leaves immediately above the top of the plant).Salvia nemorosa‘May Night ’ is an case of a plant with 6 - 10″ flower spike that rise on short stem fromrosettes of dark green basal foliation . Lance - shaped leaves are arrange in yoke flat across from each other . The small case-by-case bloom on “ May Night ” spikes assailable from the bottom of the spike up . As the flower at the tip fade , but before they congeal seed , prune individual stem by just above a pair of leaves that has modest flower buds emerging from the joint . gash between where the leaf emerge from the stem and the root itself . Lateral arm will raise to produce Modern , smaller flower fortify . As the season goes on , thefoliage tends to get very with child and spent - looking . At this point , trim the fore back several folio notches , or cut back stems all the way to the basal russet scab . Pale beardtongue ( Penstemon pallidus)is another example of a plant with basal russet scab impart .
PINCHING BACK
Late - bloomers , such as asters , chrysanthemum , and sedum , can bepinched back untilmid - Julyto encourage a fuller , sturdy shape . This term intend that youliterally pinch out the grow tip of each prow between your thumb and index . nobble back will delay bloom somewhat , but the full plant shape and stronger fore are deserving the wait . The techniquealso helps you tweak blossom time . If you have a braggart grouping of aster , for illustration , you might pinch one grouping a little in the beginning and more oftentimes than others so that the bloom season is extended overall .
REFRESHING
Lungwort ( Pulmonaria ) is a beautiful , low - raise , early - springiness blooming perennial that likes a dampish seat in the spectre garden . In mid - summer , polish off the flower stalks to arrest come productionand to give more zip to the plant . When the foliation starts to turn yellowed , trim off the worn out leavesdown to the base . This makes the leafage healthy and neater , especially when it has been damaged by lick . Brunnera macrophyllais another spring - blooming shade plant life whose leaves can get brown and damaged by slug . withdraw the oldest , yellow go away down to the stem . Although neither of these plants rebloom , they will look fresher with new leaf .
PRUNING
June is prime time for cut some shrub . stop the Virginia Cooperative Extension ( Va. Coop . Ext ) Publication 430 - 462,“Shrub Pruning Calendar”for information on which shrubs to prune in June and which shrubs not to prune in June .
lachrymation
Annuals and Perennials
As June temperature rise , keep an centre onwatering , especially for newly - added perennials and yearbook . Remember that plants will dry out out even more quick on windy days . The ecumenical regulation of quarter round is one column inch of water per week for effected plantings . lacrimation plant more deeply but less frequently encourages them to countersink deep roots ; this assist plants become more drought resistant . Mulch perennialswith a 2 - inch stratum of compost , pine bark , or pine straw to help keep down weeds and conserve moisture . Avoid overly heavy mulching that could get diadem rot .
Container Plantings
As the summer carry on , container plants need more water . More water evaporates in the warmth , and the plants grow larger . look on the size of the can and the types of flowers , you may need to water twice a day , once in the break of the day and again at the end of the day . When choosing works group for container , be aware of water requirements . Group plant life that require moist conditions in one container , and radical drouth - resistant flora in another container . piss the plant until the urine come in out of the drain holes . Water the soil , not the leaves and peak . squiffy leafage can pass to fungous diseases or to scorched place on farewell . Water - soluble liquid plant food should be applied approximately every two week . For more information on caring for container plant , seeThe Garden Shed .
Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs
Newly - plant bush are look at base when their root bed covering equals the spread of the above - ground canopy . This usually takes between 1 - 2 years . For tree , establishment is judge by allowing 1.5 year per inch of tree diagram caliper . Therefore , a 2 ” caliper tree will take about 3 years to establish on average .
How much water system is enough?This resolution calculate partially on how much piddle the soil retains . Assuming well - drain soil , these recommendation are provided by theUniversity of Minnesota Extension :
Place 2 - 3 ” mulch around the base of the tree diagram AWAY FROM THE TRUNK . Too much wet build - up between the tree trunk and the mulch can cause Ellen Price Wood radioactive decay disease , and fungus infections .
LOW MAINTENANCE PERENNIAL GARDEN
There are tons of maintenance job in the June garden , which brings us to the larger question , “ Is there such a thing as a low - sustainment perennial garden ? TheChicago Botanic Gardenoffers some tip :
Give careful consideration to plant choice and plant location . Matching the requirements of a plant to the feature of the internet site takes some planning , but will save hours of work in the garden . territory and pee conditions are important thing to consider . Here is anexample from my own garden :
Sedge ( Carex)is a ground cover that attracts butterflies and is a adept aboriginal alternative toLiriope . I choseCarex flaccospermawhich has a beautiful bluish speck and foliage that ’s a little broader than some of the other sedge . C. flaccospermarequires wet and a shady location . My planting was along a principal itinerary , near a pee source . But did I want to spend all that time water for a less - than - optimal solvent ? The beautiful , blueish unripe color faded to xanthous - common . The planting location is too gay and too dry ; I ’ll need to line up a suspect spot for originate this sedge . For more information onCarex , seeThe Garden Shed .
Some plants are aggressive spreaders , perhaps too aggressive for a low - maintenance nurseryman . Anexample from my gardeninvolvedmist efflorescence , Conoclinium coelestinum , anative perennial that spreads through both creeping rootstock and throughself - seeding . The germ is both abundant and wind - carry . The perennial has a beautiful blue - colour in blossom that looks very similar to annual ageratum , and flush profusely from mid - to - late summer . I was very happy with it the first season , but a slight less so the second . By the third season I was spending way too much time pulling out petty starter plants . Although they come out easily , it was very time take to keep the spreading under control . I in conclusion decide to pull out all of the mist flower , giving some away with “ fair word of advice ” to other gardeners . For another gardener , with a dissimilar type of landscape painting , the spread character of this plant might work very well . For more data on this plant seeThe Garden Shed .
If you want the garden to lookpristine , you have to deadhead and groom weekly . On the other bridge player , alooser , more naturalistic flavour , requires less maintenance . Most plants will benefit from deadheading for continued flush , but you may choose whether or not to take on this chore . Many native plant can count very attractive with exhausted seed .
Some plant to view thatdo not require deadheadinginclude : Astilbe , blue false indigo ( Baptisia australis ) , Russian sage ( Salvia yangii , previously know asPerovskia atriplicifolia ) , Blue star ( Amsonia tabernaemontana ) , Blue whiz ( Amsonia hubrichtii ) , various ornamental grasses , and sedge . For reduced criminal maintenance , you might also wish to avoid plants that require labor - intensive section such as irises and lilies .
supervise FOR mould
cosmetic plant life are subject totwo common types of mold that will manifest early in the season , around June 1,depending on condition . Powdery mould is a straight fungal pathogen that produce white , flour - same settlement , commonly on upper leaves . The fungus can cause stark leaf pearl , and affects energy and resistance to stress over clip . The fungus can affect many ornamental plants that are favorites in the repeated garden , including : godforsaken bergamot ( Monarda fistulosa ) , bee balm ( Monarda didyma ) , garden phlox ( phlox paniculata),tickseed(Coreopsis grandiflora ) , purple coneflower ( Echinacea purpureum ) , and zinnia .
Downy mildews , on the other hand , are a totally dissimilar land of organisms , more close related to algae than to fungi . Downy mildewsproduce grayish , fuzzy looking spore and mycelium on the lower leafage surfaces . The distinction between powdery mildews and downy mildews is important , because the fungicides effective against one are not usually in force against the other — although , as with every regulation , exclusion do exist .
Preventative controls for each disease are important and admit the following steps : selecting disease - resistant mixed bag and cultivar , providing good air circulation among plantings , and disposing of diseased foliage . The early use of antifungal agent may be necessary . Different antimycotic agent are in force for each disease . Seepowdery mildewanddowny mildew .
INSECT PESTS
Japanese beetle begin appear in June with grownup activity often peaking in former July . Adult Japanese beetles are mainly leaf feeder that consume the tissue between leaf veins . Because the venous blood vessel of the leaf are go forth intact , the price is often come to to as skeletonization . Handpicking is an early deterrent . SeeThe Garden Shedfor sources on treatment .
Azalea Lace BugandRhododendron Lace Bugboth have two coevals per yr . Please note : Lace bugs should not be disconcert with the good lacewing fly worm that have long wing nurse vertically against their sides , Lace Bugs , Univ . Conn. Ext .. ( If you have n’t done so already , read about those beneficial lacewings in this month ’s characteristic article , Natural Pest Control / The Garden Shed . ) Lace hemipteran wrong is first noticed asyellow spots on the upper leaf surfaces of affected plants . lacing bugs actually feed on the bottom of leaves with their piercing - sucking mouthpart . When feeding damage becomes terrible , the leaf take on a grey , blotched appearing or can turn completely chocolate-brown . As lace bug feast , they produce brown varnish - corresponding droppings that blob the bottom of the leaves . endeavor to keep in line thefirst generation from mid - May to mid - June;two spray may be necessary . Sycamore Lace Bugshould also be cover in June or when nymphs seem . Multiple generations occur each year and defoliation may go on in dangerous cases . For ascendancy measures , see thislinkfrom the University of Georgia Extension .
Aphidscan onrush shrubs , tree , perennials , and annuals . Catching the infestation early is key . For data on designation and intervention see thislinkfrom Virginia Cooperative Extension .
Check for tickswhenever you spend time out in the garden . See“Managing the Tick Problem”fromThe Garden Shed .
SOURCES
The Piedmont Master Gardeners website has anew feature : monthly garden task and tip are now appearing underGardening Resourceson the main pageboy of the PMG site . For more June point , take a feel atGardening Resources / Monthly Gardening Tips / Piedmont Master Gardeners
Seepast issue ofThe Garden Shedfor June Tasks and Tips in the Ornamental Garden:2015,2016,2017,2018 , and2019 .
“ Maintaining a Perennial Garden , ” Chicago Botanic Garden , https://www.chicagobotanic.org / plantinfo / maintaining_perennial_garden
“ Watering freshly plant Trees and Shrubs , ” University of Minnesota Extension , https://extension.umn.edu / planting - and - growing - guides / watering - newly - planted - Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - and - shrub
“ Daffodil FAQs , ” The American Daffodil Society , https://daffodilusa.org / daffodil - info / daffodil - faqs/
“ How and When to Prune a May Night Sage Plant , ” SFGates , https://homeguides.sfgate.com / prune - may - night - sage - plant-40509.html
“ Shrub Pruning Calendar , Virginia Cooperative Extension , pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430 - 462
“ Successful Container Gardens , ” University of Illinois Extension , https://web.extension.illinois.edu / containergardening / fertilizing.cfm
“ Container Gardening II : What to Grow & How,”The Garden Shed , https://piedmontmastergardeners.org / clause / container - garden - part-2 - what - to - grow/
“ Powdery Mildew on Phlox and Monarda , ” University of Vermont Extension System , Leonard P. Perry , https://www.uvm.edu/~pass / perry / cohmild.html
“ Downy Mildew , ” Purdue Extension , https://www.extension.purdue.edu / extmedia / BP / BP-68 - W.pdf
“ Fungal Disease : Powdery Mildew , ” University of Illinois Extension , hortanswers , https://web.extension.illinois.edu / hortanswers / detailProblem.cfm?PathogenID=147
Japanese Beetles , West Virginia Extension Service , https://extension.wvu.edu / lawn - horticulture - pesterer / plague / japanese - mallet
Lace Bugs , Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension , Eric Day , issue 444-212.https://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/lacebug.html
Control of Lace Bugs on Ornamental Plants , University of Georgia Extension , https://extension.uga.edu / issue / detail.html?number = B1102&title = Control%20of%20Lace%20Bugs%20on%20Ornamental%20Plants
Aphids , Virginia Cooperative Extension , https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/444/444 - 220/444 - 220.html
“ Managing the Tick Problem,”The Garden Shed , https://piedmontmastergardeners.org / article / managing - the - ticking - problem/
Feature photo , Monarda didyma , Andrey Korzun , Wikimedia Commons
