May Is Full of Color

red carpet roses in a vase

hydrangia blooming early

May is almost over, but it has been a busy garden month with nice, spring weather and rain showers some afternoons, which helps keep things watered.  We haven't had that for quite a few years.  The summer flowers are starting to go crazy, along with the poison ivy!  So be careful of the "leaves of 3, let it be!"  Make sure you know what it looks like so you can avoid it.

pepper plants in the garden

May Activities:
    ·         Plant summer annuals and herbs
    ·         Fertilize established flowers every 2 months
    ·         Pick strawberries
    ·         Mulch all beds for summer, so it is 2-4 “ deep
    ·         Put out hummingbird feeder; oil wire to deter ants
    ·         Mist houseplants frequently during this month
    ·         Cut back established mums by 1/3 and fertilize
    ·         Divide hostas
    ·         Start regular watering schedule
·         “Dead-head” (pinching off spent flowers) on most flowering plants
·         Can  still plant summer vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, squashes, cucumbers, etc.  Plant  on a cloudy day, so they are less stressed by heat.

purple heart, lantana & yarrow

Some Easy-Care Plants and Combinations

If you have lots of sun but don’t like to water often:

·               Ornamental grass, coneflowers and lantana(P:Perennials- come back year after year)

·               Yarrow(P), purple heart(P) and zinnias(A:annual)

·               Liatris (Bulb), Coreopsis (P), Verbena(P & A)

·              Blackeyed susans (P), Red-hot poker plant (P) and Ice Plant(P) or        Sedum (P & A)

·               Ornamental Grass,  Purple Coneflower(P), Sedum (P), and Blanket Flower(P)

·               Gladiolus(bulb), Irises (rhizome) and Daylilies(P) & Creeping phlox(P)

shasta daisies, gladiolus, yarrow

If you have afternoon shade and water moderately:

·         Shasta Daisies (P), Sages(P & A) and Petunias (A) (Supertunias can take more)

·         Roses(P), daylilies(P) and begonias(A)

·         Hydrangeas (P), marigolds (A)

·         Gardenia Bushes, Hibiscus (P)

·         Porch plants:  Asparagus fern, spider plant & begonias

 potted caladiums and elephant ear

If you have mostly shade:

·         Impatiens(A), Coleus(A), Hostas (P)

·         Ferns( A), Lenten Rose (P)Caladiums (annual bulb)

Basic Plant Care for Southern Gardens: 

1.      Mulch beds and pots well. 

2.      Water deeply (at least an inch) every week for the best flower production. 

3.      Pinch off faded flowers, to produce more flowers. 

4.      Feed with 3-month fertilizer granules when planting, or apply plant food added to water every other week.

herb pot

some carrots just pulled

Vegetable and Herb harvesting:  The more often you pick the fruit and vegetables, the more it will produce.  For instance, green beans, try to pick every day or two, refrigerating till you have enough for serving.  Harvesting in the morning or evening is best.  For Herbs, pinch off tips/ends to use leaves, like oregano, basil, etc in the morning before the heat of the day.  This will give you the best flavor and also encourage branching.  

birdbath with daylilies and gerbera daisies

Plant Care during your Vacation: If you can find a neighbor gardener that works with their own plants, then you should be set.  If you don’t have that option, here are a few ideas:

·         Place potted plants under tree cover or in afternoon shade, having a drip hose on a timer that will drip into the pots. 

·         I have also placed a 2 liter bottle with lid (add a nail hole to the bottom) into my pot to slowly drain into the soil. 

·         For Beds, a soaker hose on a timer is best, setting it for the morning hours.

flowerbed along back fence

     TIPs for Curb Appeal:  To make the most of the front of your house (and backyard)

1.      Focus on texture and foliage for a lush-looking all-season garden.  Flowers come and go, but starting with an ever-green background will carry it through all seasons. 
2.     Then punctuate with color.  This can be leaf-color, just as much as flowers.
3.  Repeat color to unify.  If you like blues, use plants with blues and purples.  If you like bright contrast, pick yellows, purples and reds.  Same with pastels.
4.      Plant flowers in groups of 3-5 plants, like in a triangle or group, rather than straight lines for more impact and interest.
5.  For less work and cash over time, use low-maintenance perennials to fill out beds, adding a few annuals.