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  • Home
  • About, Services, Contact
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  • Roses
    • Types of Roses
    • Easy Roses
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    • Pruning Roses
    • Rose Sawfly
    • Rose Bloom Balling
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    • Tomato Troubles
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July
​The Garden Website.com 

Amanda's Garden Consulting Company
'Ketchup & Mustard', a floribunda rose. 

 JULy's Garden Chores

Great masterwort,Astrantia major,summer flowers,July flowers
The Great Masterwort (Astrantia major) is a perennial that grows in sun to part shade.
New Videos on Climbing Roses: How to Deadhead & Train: Part 1 and Part 2
Summer Rose Care - Taking Cuttings - Summer Watering - Plants That Shouldn't Dry Out 
In the Veggie Garden - Garden Inspections - Potato & Tomato Blight - Composting
Peony Measles - July Tomato Care - Tomato Troubles - Sow Flower Seeds - Powdery Mildew 
​Going on Vacation - July introduction - July Garden Stars 
July Garden Chores - July Lawn Care - July Plant Combo - Plant Police - July Arrangement
Water Restrictions - Ornamental Tropical Shrubs - Plant of the Month: Daylilies

'Julia Child' floribunda rose,lady's mantle,Alchemilla mollis,July flowers
'Julia Child' a floribunda rose is surrounded by the chartreuse flowers of a lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

July Intro

Amanda Jarrett for July
A shady nook underneath the canopy of a weeping katsura is a perfect hideaway.
Hello Fellow Gardeners,
There’s nothing like a heatwave to make you realize how important water is. With record breaking temperatures along most of the western North America, June proved to be a scorcher. Heat loving plants such as roses, California lilacs, tomatoes and peppers liked the humid tropical weather, however, many plants were seriously injured. Alas, some may not survive, especially those that didn’t receive any water.

It was so sad to see plants wilt, even those that were watered; they just couldn’t handle being fried by unrelenting sun. I felt the same way despite the gallons of water I was imbibing. Although I tried my best to keep plants happy by watering them and shading them, it was difficult to keep up. Handwatering became a daily chore, making me wither in the process. And if I missed any, their lifeless little bodies made me feel so guilty I was out there again with the garden hose.

Thank goodness, the heatwave has passed. Will another come back? I wouldn’t be surprised at all.
​
Usually July in the garden means that all we have to do is maintain the status quo. Summer in temperate coastal British Columbia is usually dry, but temperatures are nice and mild. This makes for happy plant and contented gardeners.  If last month is anything to go by, I think gardeners are going to be put to the test as we deal with weather extremes.

I hope I am wrong and the weather cooperates for gardeners and farmers everywhere. No weird and wacky weather – please!
Take care out there and stay cool. Happy gardening. 

Cheers,
Amanda
​
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Learn How to Prune

Garden Consultations

learn how to prune,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores
What to prune now? How to prune? What tools to use? How far can a plant be cut back? All are great questions. Register here  for Amanda to teach you all about pruning your plants in your garden at your convenience.
Amanda Jarrett garden consultations
Need help figuring what to do in your garden? Is your garden more work than it's worth? Amanda will help you make the most of your garden. Make an appointment here for a consultation.
tiger lily,Lilium tigrinum splendens,summer flowering bulbs
The recurved petals of a tiger lily.
sunscald on plants,heatwave and plants
An unrelenting heat wave has damaged this hosta's foliage.
Although these sunburned leaves look unsightly on this fried hosta, it's better to keep them on the plant. Removing them will expose the tender and protected leaves underneath. Besides, it's only July, summer is not over yet! 

Amanda's Garden Blog

Regal Lily,Royal lily,Lilium regale,July flowers,summer flowers
A regal lily, aka royal lily.
  • Video: Climbing Rose Deadheading & Training Part 1
  • Video: Climbing Rose Deadheading & Training Part 2
  • New: Watering Tips & Techniques
  • Video: May's Garden 2021
  • Dealing With Drought
  • Types of Roses
  • Easy Roses Do Exist.. Really!
  • Portland's International Rose Test Garden
  • Blog: Easy Vegetable Garden Trellis 
  • Garden & Botanical Tours
  • Blog: Tomato Seedlings to Plants
  • Video: How to Divide Dahlias 
  • Video: How to Plant a Tree
  • Lawns: ​Seeding, Sowing, Renovating
  • Lawn Grub Control
  • Building a French Kitchen (Potager) Garden
  • Tuberous Begonias 101
  • Dahlias 101
  • Growing Potatoes
  • Pruning Shrubs into Trees
  • Lasagna Gardening, Sheet Mulching
  • Tomato Troubles & Soil Solarization
  • Trees That Drip That Sticky Stuff
  • Balcony Bliss
  • One Huge Beetle! 
  • Leaky Birdbaths and Slug Free Strawberries
  • Oops... Wrong Plant, Wrong Place
  • I Had An Ugly Lawn...​

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July flower arrangements
Alstroemerias, yellow pompom dahlias and the round foliage of a lady's mantle catch the sun by a sunny window.
To learn what to do in your garden every month click here to subscribe to the The Garden Website.com.

Landscapers Wanted!

Picture
​Peace Garden Designs is a small, organic, environmentally-focused landscape gardening company operating in the Vancouver area looking for a seasonal full-timer, ideally with 2 years' experience or more. $20+ depending on experience. Please send your cover letter, resume (CV) and references. To learn more about us and see some of our past projects visit: peacegardendesigns.com.

climbing roses,pink roses,summer flowers
Pink climbing roses.

July Garden Stars

Lupin,Lupinus x hybridus,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Lupins, Lupinus x hybridus, herbaceous perennial, 3’ – 4’ x 1’ – 1.5’, flowers May to July, sun, attracts butterflies. Zones 4 to 8
Acanthus mollis,bear's breeches,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Acanthus mollis, bear's breeches, herbaceous perennial, 3'-5' x 2'-3', sun to part shade. Zones 7 to 10.
Delphinium Pacific Giants 'King Arthur',July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
'King Arthur' Delphinium Pacific Giants, herbaceous perennial, 4’-6’ x 2’-3’, flowers from June to July, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, needs good drainage and full sun. Zones 3 to 7

Leucanthemum × superbum 'Phyllis Smith' shasta daisy,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
'Phyllis Smith' shasta daisy, Leucanthemum × superbum 'Phyllis Smith', herbaceous perennial, 18” to 2’ x 12” to 18”, attracts butterflies, sun to part shade. Zones 4 to 9.
Alstroemeria incana 'Kanica',Peruvian lily,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Kanika Peruvian lily, Alstroemeria 'Inticancha Kanika', tuberous herbaceous perennial, sun to part sun, 1 -3’ x 1 -2’. Zones 8 to 10.
Clethra alnifolia 'Vanilla Spice' Summersweet,sweet pepperbush,July garden calendar,July garden chores,July gardens,summer pruning,vegetable gardening,July flowers,the garden website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Sweet pepperbush/summersweet, Clethra alnifolia 'Vanilla Spice', fragrant deciduous shrub, 3' to 6' tall & wide, likes moist soil, sun to part shade. Zones 4 to 8.

Crocosmia 'Lucifer' montbretia,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Lucifer montbretia, Crocosmia 'Lucifer', herbaceous perennial, sun to part shade, 2 - 3' x 1 - 2', attracts butterflies, hummingbirds. Zones 5 to 9.
Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki',dappled willow,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Dappled willow, Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki', deciduous shrub grafted onto a single stem, 4 to 6 ft x 5 to 7ft, grown for its white, pink and green foliage, catkins in April to May, sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 7.
Fuchsia magellanica,hardy fuchsia,JJuly gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Hardy fuchsia, Fuchsia magellanica, tender deciduous shrub, 4' to 8' tall and wide, partial shade, prefers moist soil, attracts butterflies & hummingbirds. Zones 6 to 9.

Casa Blanca Oriental Lily,summer bulb,July garden calendar,July garden chores,July gardens,summer pruning,vegetable gardening,July flowers,the garden website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Casa Blanca Oriental hybrid lily, bulb, sun, fragrant 6'' to 8" flowers July, 3 to 4' tall. Zones 5 to 8.
Ceanothus Gloire de Versailles, French California lilac,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
French California lilac, Ceanothus Gloire de Versailles, broadleaf evergreen, fragrant blue flowers in summer, 4’- 6’ tall and wide, sun to light shade, attracts butterflies. Zones 6 to 9
Albizia julibrissin,silk tree,mimosa,July garden calendar,July garden chores,July gardens,summer pruning,vegetable gardening,July flowers,the garden website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Albizia julibrissin, Persian silk tree/mimosa, decidous tree, 16 to 52', fragrant, sun and dry soil. Zones 6 to 9. Click on the pic for more.

Hydrangea quercifolia,oakleaf hydrangea,July garden calendar,July garden chores,July gardens,summer pruning,vegetable gardening,July flowers,the garden website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia, deciduous shrub, 6' to 8' tall and wide, flowers mature to pink and persist into winter, plum fall foliage colour, sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 9.
Phygelius capensis,cape fuchsia,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Cape fuchsia, Phygelius capensis, herbaceous perennial or sub shrub, summer flowers into fall, 2’–3’ x 2’, sun to part shade, yellow or pink, attracts hummingbirds. Zones 6 to 9.
Campanula glomerata ‘Superba’,clustered bellflower,July garden calendar,July garden chores,July gardens,summer pruning,vegetable gardening,July flowers,the garden website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Clustered bellflower, Campanula glomerata ‘Superba’, herbaceous perennial, 1.5' -2.2' x 1'-2', sun to shade. Zones 3 to 8.

Catalpa,Mexican bean tree,July garden calendar,July garden chores,July gardens,summer pruning,vegetable gardening,July flowers,the garden website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Catalpa, deciduous tree, 50' - 70' x 20 - 40', fragrant flowers, bears long seed pods, sun. Zones 4 to 9.
Kirengeshoma palmata,yellow wax bell flowers,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Yellow wax bells, Kirengeshoma palmata, herbaceous perennials, 3’ to 4’ x 2’ to 3’, June to July, part to full shade. Zones 5 to 8.
Adam's needle,Yucca filamentosa,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Adam’s needle, Yucca filamentosa, broadleaf evergreen, June to July, 4’ to 8’ x 2’ to 3’, sun, attracts butterflies. Zones 5 to 10.

Actea simplex atropurpurea,bugbane,cimicifuga,July garden calendar,July garden chores,July gardens,summer pruning,vegetable gardening,July flowers,the garden website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Bugbane, Actea simplex, herbaceous perennial, 3' to 4', part shade to shade, bears 1 to 2ft long fragrant flower spikes. Atropurpurea has purple foliage. Zones 3 to 8.
Campsis radicans,trumpet creeper,July garden calendar,July garden chores,July gardens,summer pruning,vegetable gardening,July flowers,the garden website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Trumpet creeper, Campsis radicans, a deciduous vine, 25' to 40', orange, yellow or red flowers, sun to part shade, attracts hummingbirds, aggressive, produces suckers. Zones 4 to 9.
Rudbeckia 'Purple Emperor' coneflower,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal,The Garden Website.com,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett,garden websites
Purple Emperor coneflower, Echinacea ‘Purple Emperor’, herbaceous perennial, 15” to 18” x 12” to 16”, sun to part shade, attracts butterflies, July to fall. Zones 4 to 8.

JUly PLANT COMBO

(Hemerocallis Stella D'Oro
English lavender and Stella d'Oro daylily.
Daylilies and English lavender are a good team for hot, dry and sunny locations, like this city planting. It is surrounded by concrete and because it is on a city boulevard, it does not receive a gardener's TLC. Despite the lack of care, this plant combination works. This specific daylily, Stella d'Oro, is a repeat bloomer with flowers that continue well into fall. 

Watering Restrictions Continue

watering restrictions for metro vancouver
Water restrictions state to water in the morning, not the evening.
For Metro Vancouver, B.C.
Water restrictions start May 1 and end October 15. If you don’t live in Metro Vancouver, contact your local municipality for their watering restrictions.
Residential lawn watering schedule:
Even-numbered addresses: Wed and Sat, 4 to 9 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Thurs and Sun, 4 to 9 a.m.
Trees, shrubs & flowers: Any day from 4 to 9 am for sprinklers, hand watering and drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. 
Non-residential (businesses) lawn watering schedule:

Even-numbered addresses: Mon, 1 to 6 a.m., Fri 4 to 9 am.
Odd-numbered addresses: Tues, 1 to 6 a.m., Fri 4 to 9 am
Trees, shrubs & flowers:
Any day from 1 to 9 am for sprinklers, hand watering and drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. 
For more information, click here 

Lawn Care for JUly

mowing lawns in summer,mowing height,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal
Cut the grass to 4 inches during the summer.
  • Keep them watered: 1 inch minimum per week.
  • Don’t allow the grass to go yellow and brown as it becomes prone to grubs and weeds.
  • Mow high: 3 to 4 inches.
  • Mow often: Only cut a third off at a time when mowing.
  • Don’t bag the clippings: Keep them on the lawn as they a good source of nitrogen.
  • New lawns and renovations: Wait until September.
  • Don’t fertilize: Wait until September.     
  • Lawn Basics
  • Lawn Maintenance Schedule   
  • Lawn Grub Control  

plant police

mulching,fabric under mulch
Don't place landscape fabric under mulch.
This is a failed attempt to stop weeds from growing throughout a garden bed. Landscape fabric was placed over the soil with a light layer of mulch over-top. The problem here is the landscape fabric. In order for mulch to be effective in must be in direct contact with the soil. A skiff of mulch isn't adequate either. It needs to be 3 inches deep. Click on mulch for more info. 

Watering In Summer

watering plants,irrigation in summer
Make watering easier by setting up lawn sprinklers on timers available where garden products are sold.
  • Water restrictions don't mean you can't water your garden beds. In Metro Vancouver, water plants (not lawns) any day from 4 to 9 am when using sprinklers. 
  • There are no restrictions for hand watering and drip irrigation during the current Phase 1 water restrictions. 
  • Mulch reduces soil from drying out. After weeding and watering, add 3 inches of an organic mulch on top of the soil and around plants.
  • Trees and shrubs need water too! Water the entire perimeter of the plants’ canopy (dripline) so the soil become thoroughly moist. 
  • If you have to water daily, maybe you are not applying an adequate amount. Take your time as shallow watering promotes shallow roots that are unable to handle environmental stresses including drought and heat
  • Give plants and surrounding soil deep long soaks so the water puddles then drains. Repeat until the water has penetrated down to at least 4 inches. If in doubt, dig down with a shovel or trowel to see how far the water has penetrated.
  • Daily watering is not recommended except for plants growing in containers and hanging baskets.
  • New plants should be watered every other day until new growth starts to sprout.
  • Water the street trees around you property as the city can’t tend to every tree in the city.
  • For more info click on the links below:
  • Watering Tips & Techniques
  • Drought Gardening
watering in summer,summer drought
A horse chestnut tree is wilting and is in desperate need of some water .

In the Veggie Garden

garlic scapes,vegetable gardening in summer,organic vegetable gardening
Pick off garlic flowers (scapes) when they are young to encourage bigger bulbs.
Onions, garlic, shallots: To encourage big fat bulbs, snip off flowers (scapes) as they appear (make them into pesto or add to stir fries). Stop watering when their leaves start to yellow but wait until they turn brown to harvest. Cure, then store in a dry location.
Rhubarb: Cut off flower spikes at their base as soon as they appear. Stop harvesting to allow plants to rest so you'll get a good crop next year.
harvesting vegetables in summer,yellow wax bean harvest
Freshly picked yellow waxed bush beans.
​Harvest: Daily harvesting ensures fresh produce picked at their prime. Two foot long zucchinis look impressive, but aren't as tasty compared to ones that are smaller and younger. To learn more about harvesting click more.
Harvest New Potatoes: Harvest new baby potatoes when flowers appear. Either pull out a few spuds or dig up the entire plant and harvest them all. To learn more about growing potatoes click here.
Taters: Plant seed potatoes for Christmas harvest. 
new potatoes,harvest new potatoes,potato flowers,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal
Pick new potatoes when they are in flower.

Garden Inspections

plant inspections,garden inspections,July garden calendar,July garden chores,ladybug larvae,organic pest control
Friend or foe? It's a friendly ladybug larvae.
When you find something not right while perusing your garden, you’ll have to do a bit of detective work to figure out what is going on. For more go to Garden Inspections
rust on foxglove
These discoloured foxglove leaves have rust, a common disease.

composting Tips

composting,how to compost
Compost is the best product to add to any type of soil.
  • Add kitchen scraps but don’t add cooked or processed food including rice or bread. Don’t add meat or fat and rinse out any un-cooked eggshells as this creates a foul odor, entices rodents and screws up the compost. Do add raw veggies, coffee grounds, tea leaves and scraps from the garden.
  • Avoid buggy, diseased plants as well as seedy weeds and invasive weeds such as bindweed and horsetail.
  • After adding to the pile, give it a good turn and add some water if it is dry. It should be as moist as a wrung out sponge.
  • Before you leave the compost bin cover with a brown layers such as torn newspaper or dried leaves to prevent flies, fungus gnats and to speed decomposition.
  • Turn the pile every time you add greens and follow with a brown layer. It's a good idea to keep bags of fall leaves nearby. 
  • For more on composting, click here. 
composting,compost
Cover the green layer such as kitchen scraps, with a brown layer like shredded newspaper.

July Tomato Care 

growing tomatoes,vegetable gardening,taming tomatoes
  • Remove suckers at stem axils (where stems and leaves join), preferably when they are small. If they are already big and are bearing fruit, keep them, but remove all others. 
  • Cut back overly long stems just above a fruit cluster so the remaining fruit will ripen quickly. 
  • To encourage fruit to ripen faster, mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts to a gallon of water. Use a watering can to apply to the soil or put in a sprayer. Avoid spraying on the foliage when they are in full sun. 
  • No fruit or few fruit? Too much nitrogen and/or not enough sun. To promote flowers apply a high phosphorous fertilizer (high middle number). 
  • Aphids? Too much nitrogen promotes lush, tender growth.
  • Diseases leaves? Keep water off the foliage. Remove and discard them as soon as they appear.
  • Water in the morning and keep water off the leaves especially before nightfall. 
  • Keep soil moisture consistent to reduce fruit splitting, blossom end rot, tastier tomatoes and healthier plants.
  • Click on the following if you want more info:
  • Taming Tomatoes
  • Speeding up Tomato Harvest
  • Tomato Tips
  • Tomato Troubles
growing tomatoes
Ouch! Check tied tomato stems to make sure they are not doing more harm than good.

Epsom Salts? Really?

epsom salts for gardens
Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulfur, which benefits the growth of tomatoes.
Epsom salts for roses
'Love and Peace' and other roses benefit from an application of Epsom salts.
​For luscious rose blossoms and tasty tomatoes use Epsom salts as a foliar spray, soil drench or just mix some into the soil. Epsom salts provides 2 secondary essential elements for plant health: magnesium and sulfur. Many plants are quite happy with low levels of magnesium, while others such as tomatoes, peppers and roses perform best with supplemental applications. Certainly apply it to any plants that are showing signs of magnesium deficiency. Symptoms appear first on older leaves that are yellow between the green veins (interveinal chlorosis).
Dosages: Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts to one gallon of water. Either apply to the soil or mist the foliage with the solution if you want instant results. For long term solutions, mix in a couple of inches of compost. Compost is also a good source of magnesium. 

July Garden Chores

Please note that coloured text are linked to another page on this website or another website. Many of the pictures are also linked and will redirect you if you click on them. 

July garden chores
Garden Inspections: As temperatures soar and any rain is celebrated, daily garden walkabouts are a good idea. Some plants, especially those in planters, will need daily handwatering. Don't wait to water wilting plants. They need water asap, no matter what time of day it is. If you don't want insects and diseases to prey on your plants, keep on top of the watering.
Picture
To shade plants from the hot sun, provide them with some shade.
Protect Plants from the Sun: Instantly cool hot plants by shading them with burlap, tarp or a tablecloth propped up with stakes or draped on a neighbouring taller plant. Don't be surprised if you hear them sigh with relief. 
July garden chores,hedge trimming,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal
Hedges: Cut back hedges at the end of July to mid-September. Trimming them in fall leads to new growth that is susceptible to browning and winterkill.
Don’t Plant: Wait until autumn, it’s just too darn hot. Avoid planting until the rains return and temperatures cool.
​Remedial Staking: Remove stakes from gladiolus, peonies, delphiniums and other plants once they no longer need them. For plants that continue to grow such as dahlias and tomatoes, support any wayward stems. 
yarrow,Achillea millefolium,dividing perennials
Divide Perennials: Divide overgrown daylilies, irises and other perennials once they have finished flowering. A bed of yarrow is pictured.
Weed: Moisten the soil first to make it easier to pull them out, roots and all.
Going on Vacation? Gardens need tending during the summer so do try to have someone garden-sit even if it’s just to make sure plants are watered. One of their rewards will be reaping any harvest in your absence, especially fast maturing crops like tomatoes. 
deadheading annuals,cutting back bedding plants,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores,summer garden journal
Water annuals (bedding plants) after deadheading to encourage new growth and more flowers.
peony measles,black spot on peonies
Remove infected peony leaves and don't add them to the compost.
​Peony measles: Discoloured peony leaves are symptoms of Peony Leaf Blotch also referred to as 'peony measles'. There's no control, just remove and discard infected leaves before winter. Click here for more.
water for animals in summer,summer garden chores
Place a stone or brick in a shallow dish filled with water for pollinating insects and birds.
Water for All: Butterflies, bees, birds and all life need water to live. During times of drought a shallow dish of fresh water is a lifesaver. Place a few around the garden in shade and replenish often. 
Aquilegia,columbine,sow seeds in summer
Sow columbine seeds and other perennials.
Sow Flower Seeds: Sow seeds of perennials and biennials inside or outside according to the packet directions: columbine, delphiniums, pansies, wallflowers, foxgloves, honesty (Lunaria annua), hollyhocks. Label them so you don’t forget where they are and don’t let the soil dry out.
​Semi-hardwood cuttings: Make more plants trees, shrubs, evergreens and conifers now by taking semi-hardwood cuttings. Suitable stems should bend without breaking. For more click on Taking Cuttings
cuttings,propagation,semi-hardwood cuttings,propagating shrubs,July garden calendar,July garden chores
Take cuttings from partially mature stems of trees and shrubs that will snap when bent.

Rose Care

'Pink Martini' floribunda rose,summer rose care
'Pink Martini' a floribunda rose.

Deadheading Roses: If you want new blossoms to replace the dead ones, remove spent blooms by cutting back just above an outward facing leaf with 5 to 7 leaflets. This also applies when cutting roses for flower arrangements. For stems without foliage, cut canes back by ¼ to just above a node or side branch.  For more on pruning roses click here.
After Each Flush of Blooms: Water well than fertilize with kelp meal, seaweed extract or fish fertilizer to promote healthy growth and more blossoms.

Planter care

summer planter care
Red geraniums and Mexican heather (Cuphea 'Vermillionaire') are annuals that love full sun.
​Containers: Don't forget to feed and water container grown plants as they are at your mercy. Yellow leaves, poor growth and lack of vigor are sure signs of malnutrition and thirst. To increase moisture holding capacity and to add some nutrients, add inch or so of compost, well-rotted manure or SeaSoil on top of the soils surface. Mix it in if possible.  For more click on Container Growing.
swallowtail butterflies,butterfly gardening,pollinating insects,July garden calendar
Attract butterflies with slices of fruit placed so you can see them when they visit.

Plant Winter Crops Now

winter vegetable gardening,July garden chores
Kale and carrots are suitable winter crops.
Sow seeds of winter hardy plants: broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cilantro, kohlrabi, kale and cabbage. Plant where drainage is good so they don't rot with winter rains. Since it is still summer, water daily so they don’ dry out and protect from insects with a floating row covers. In fall, add a layer of straw to insulate the soil from the cold. For more on Winter Veggie Gardening, click here. For more on cloches, click here. 
winter vegetable gardening,cloches,floating row cover,July gardening,summer gardening,July gardening chores
Protect winter crops by covering with a cloche and mulching with straw.

Powdery Mildew

powdery mildew,white powder on plants
This zucchini leaf is infected with powdery mildew.
Powdery mildew is a white powder that appears on leaves, stems and buds. It first appears first on new foliage and flower buds. This prevalent disease is caused by weather and incorrect maintenance.  To learn how to control powdery mildew and for a safe, organic spray click here. ​

Potato & Tomato Blight

tomato blight,potato blight,plant diseases,July garden calendar,July garden chores,organic vegetable gardening
Blight affects all parts of the plant, including the fruit, like this tomato.
Humid, warm weather brings out the blight in potatoes and tomatoes. Look for dark edges on the foliage. There’s no cure, so harvest as much as you can then destroy the plants and remove all plant parts from the soil. Don’t plant any tomatoes or potatoes in that same spot preferably for at least four years.

Summer Pruning

summer pruning
An ornamental flowering cherry before being tamed.
pruning in summer
The same tree after some judicious pruning.
Summer pruning is a good thing as it inhibits growth while promoting flowers and fruit. Unlike winter pruning that encourages growth, pruning in the summer slows plants down. Always water plants after pruning and don’t prune when plants are wilting due to lack of water.
Remove:
  • diseased and dead growth
  • overly long, crossing and broken branches
  • suckers and watersprouts 
  • spindly, weak growth
  • old, non-productive stems
  • overcrowded fruit so they don't touch 
​Don't forget to water after pruning.
summer pruning,fruit pruning,apple pruning,July garden calendar,July garden chores,July gardens,summer pruning
Prune apple trees by cutting back side branches to a couple of buds.
  • Apple trees, Grapes and Wisterias: cut back side shoots so only two to four buds (nodes) remain. These small stems will eventually convert to buds that flower in a couple of years. Read more.
  • For more on pruning click here. To learn how to prune your plants in your garden, make an appointment with Amanda click here.

July Arrangement

July flowers,Amanda's July Flowers
Yellow and blue flowers surround pure white calla lilies.
July's yellow, blue and white arrangement includes callas, hydrangeas, alstroemerias, shasta daisies and marigolds. For details and for more arrangements click on Monthly Flower Arrangements 

Plant of the month
Daylily - Hemerocallis


Bold Stripe daylily,hemerocallis,summer flowers
'Bold Stripe' daylily is a maroon bitone variety with yellow midribs and yellow throat. It grows to 32 inches with 6 inch flowers.
Picture
Although flowers only last a day, they bear many.
Bold Stripe daylily,tetraploid hemerocallis,summer flowers
'Bold Stripe' is a tetraploid daylily hence its large 6 inch blossoms, thick tepals and ruffled edges.
Bold Stripe daylily,tetraploid hemerocallis,summer flowers
Most daylilies don't mind a bit of shade, especially in the afternoon.
Blackberry Candy daylily,tetraploid hemerocallis,summer flowers
'Blackberry Candy' is a fragrant tetraploid cultivar suitable for zones 3 to 10.
Blackberry Candy daylily,tetraploid hemerocallis,summer flowers
'Blackberry Candy' has long blooming period with 4 inch meaty flowers.
Stella de Oro daylily,diploid hemerocallis,summer flowers
'Stella de Oro' bears fragrant 3 inch blossoms in profusion from July well into autumn.
Stella de Oro daylily,diploid hemerocallis,summer flowers
'Stella de Oro' is a compact diploid that grows to 12 inches and is hardy from zones 2 to 11.
'Catherine Woodbury' daylily hemerocallis
'Catherine Woodbury' has soft lilac blossoms with pale yellow throats.
'Catherine Woodbury' daylily hemerocallis
'Catherine Woodbury' 6 inch fragrant trumpet shaped flowers on long leafless stems up to 30 inches long.
'Flore Pleno' tetraploid daylily hemerocallis,summer flowers
'Flore Pleno' is a robust double orange triploid bloomer suitable for Zone 2 to 11.
'Flore Pleno' tetraploid daylily hemerocallis,summer flowers
Give 'Flore Pleno' some space as flower spikes grow past 3 feet with a spread of 3 feet.
'Flore Pleno' tetraploid daylily hemerocallis,summer flowers
'Flore Pleno' flowers bears hearty flowers up to 6 inches wide.
 Common Name:  daylily
Botanical Name:  Hemerocallis hybrids and cultivars
Form:    upright arching, vase
Family:  Xanthorrhoeaceae
Genus:  Hemerocallis (beauty for a day)
Plant Type: herbaceous perennial
Mature Size:  1’ x 3’ tall and wide
Growth:  fast
Origin:  Japan, China, Korea, Eurasia
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Foliage:  green, stemless, basal (emerge from crown), long, narrow strap-like that taper
​Flowers: trumpet shaped, July, August, yellows, oranges, reds with cultivars of pinks, purples, colour combinations, patterned and bicoloured, multiple petals, some are scented, some rebloom, while others bloom continuously until autumn
Fruit: brown capsule on species varieties, which may or may not come true from seed, September, October
Stems:  flower stalks are leafless and only bear flowers
Exposure:  sun to part shade, heat tolerant
Soil:  tolerant to most soils, drought tolerant
Uses:  perennial borders, foundation plantings, cut flowers, slope stabilization, massing, xeriscaping, shrub borders, butterflies and hummingbirds
Propagation:  seeds, basal root cuttings and divisions
Pruning:  cut back foliage in fall when it yellows.
​Problems:  aphids, spider mites, thrips, bacterial soft rot

Comments: 
Daylilies have so many good qualities they are considered to be the ‘perfect perennial’. After all they create a fountain of green arching leaves that looks pretty good even without their many trumpet-like blossoms. Many varieties are fragrant, but even if they are not, they all are visited by butterflies and hummingbirds. 
 
Although their flowers resemble lilies, they are herbaceous perennials, and not bulbs, that turn yellow in the fall and go dormant during the winter. They regrow in spring and flower during the summer.

Their showy trumpet-shaped blossoms only last a day, but flowering lasts for about 5 weeks depending on the variety.  Since there are more than 35,000 cultivars that flower at different times during the summer, it’s possible to have their pretty blossoms flowering for months.
 
Growing Conditions
Daylilies are a garden staple because they require very little care, they aren’t messy and are well-behaved. These tough cookies blossom and flourish in all kinds of growing conditions, and don’t mind a bit of neglect. As long as it the soil isn’t soggy and they receive at least 5 hours of sunlight, daylilies should perform well. If plants don’t flower, it is from lack of light. Afternoon shade is better than morning, especially in hot climates.

​Despite their soil tolerance, they do prefer a loamy soil with good drainage. To improve their health and performance, mix in a few inches of compost into the soil. Mulch with 3 inches of a leaf mulch, wood chips or another organic mulch.
 
Daylilies have a mass of plump, tuberous roots that store water, hence their ability to tolerate many types of soils, as well as drought. They don’t like wet feet, so don’t situate them where the soil doesn’t drain freely.

Supply them with adequate moisture during the spring to get them off to a good start and early summer just before and when they are in flower. This promotes more blossoms and longer bloom period. Give the soil a good soaking to at least six inches.
 
Planting
Plant daylilies in early fall and early spring, about 6 to 8 weeks before it gets too cold in winter and too hot in summer. Place its crown (where roots and leaves meet) at soil level.
 
After Flowering 
Once plants finish flowering, remove their flower stalks at their base. Cut back leaves in fall once they turn yellow. Mix in an inch or two of compost every year each spring. 

Types of Daylilies
Their blossoms consist of three petals and three sepals (collectively termed 'tepals') that are joined at the base. They surround six curved stamens with pollen laden two-lobed anthers at their tips. In the centre is a long thin pistil that exceeds well past the stamens. That’s the basic flower, however plant breeders have put a new spin on the ever-so humble original daylily.
 
Hybrids and cultivars were developed from these initial species: the tawny daylily (H. fulva) and the lemon lily (H. flava). Now they come in every colour except for pure blue and pure white. Petals are ruffled, frilly, skinny or broad. There’s some with colourful contrasting ‘eyes’ in the centre, there’s ones with stripes or blends of different colours. There are so many different types of daylilies because they are relatively easy to hybridize.
 
Previously there were only diploid hybrids (2 sets of chromosomes), but tetraploids are quite impressive because they have double that amount. They are bold and brassy with thicker petals and bigger blossoms on heftier plants. Think of them as daylilies on steroids.
daylilies,hemerocallis,daylily,easy perennials,summer flowering perennials,plants for slopes,perennial for sun,July flowers
Daylilies green strap-like leaves look good next to the 'Candy Stripe' creeping phlox.
daylily roots
Daylilies have tenacious roots that quickly fill planters.
hemerocallis tubers
Daylilies have tuberous roots that's why they are tolerant of many soils.
daylily roots
Their vast root systems are useful for stabilizing slopes.
daylilies,hemerocallis,daylily,easy perennials,summer flowering perennials,plants for slopes,perennial for sun,July flowers
Roses and daylilies make good companions.
daylily cut flowers
Daylilies are perfect cut flowers. Cut stems with many buds for long lasting displays.
daylilies,hemerocallis,daylily,easy perennials,summer flowering perennials,plants for slopes,perennial for sun,July flowers
'Mr. Lincoln' hybrid tea rose and 'Bold Stripe' daylily.

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​About & Services, Contact ​                        ​                                     Ask Amanda              

Learn How to Garden Introduction 
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Lawns
Container Growing 101
  • Choosing a Container
Monthly Flower Arrangements
Growing Roses Introduction 
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Mulching & Types Introduction
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Fertilizing & Feeding Plants Introduction
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Propagation Introduction
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​Amanda’s Blog
Plant of the Month

for the tropical Gardener

Ornamental Tropical Shrubs,Pineapple Press,Amanda Jarrett,thegardenwebsite.com
While working in Florida as horticultural consultant, it became apparent that there was a need for a book on tropical shrubs. There are so many wonderful shrubs to choose from, so I wrote a reference book to make the selections easier. Ornamental Tropical Shrubs includes pictures in full colour and information about the plants in point form. So if you live in the tropics and subtropics and need a reference book on tropical shrubs, or you just want to have a look-see click here. 


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