Don’t Be a Deadhead

Can’t find the time or energy to do anything else in the garden other than relax? One of the most important and often overlooked mid-summer tasks is to keep your perennial beds clean and tidy. Deadheading spent flower spikes and removing diseased or blemished foliage is a good cultural practice. It also keeps the garden looking fresh and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. In hot and especially humid conditions, good air circulation on foliage is imperative for maintaining the health of your plant materials. It is particularly important with certain perennials such as summer flowering Phlox (Ph. paniculata), Asters, and Monarda, common name Bee Balm. Because the season is a bit ahead of itself, a lot of the mid-summer color may fade early this year. We always hit a lull come August, when a smaller percentage of perennials are in bloom. It is worth assessing your borders to fill in the gaps. Many times, the only way to bridge these holes is with annuals or decorative accent pieces. Make it something colorful. Get creative but keep your garden interesting. It tends to keep the gardener perky as well. The quick inspirational thought today comes from an unknown author. “This mess is a place!” So don’t be a deadhead and keep your borders looking healthy.
Image from the Internet - Now that's being creative with your flowers!