By May our team is at our busiest time of the season, planting summer annuals in pots and beds as well as planting perennials, both replacing any perennials that may have died over the last winter as well as planting new beds. Many exquisite perennials such as foxglove, lupine, columbine, and delphinium have a short life cycle and will only live a few years if they aren’t allowed to set seed, so the term perennial shouldn’t be mistaken to mean “immortal.” These perennials may need replacing or we may fill in bare spots in a garden border with annuals.
In June with the start of the summer heat, we focus on deep and less frequent watering which encourages deep, healthy root systems. Usually after planting we apply mulch to preserve soil moisture and keep roots cool, prevent weed germination, improve the aesthetic appeal of a bed, and add organic matter back into the soil. We may choose to mulch with composted hardwood bark mulch, shredded pine bark, pine straw, or leaf humus, each offering different benefits. Managing the proper use of irrigation systems also requires time and attention.
Throughout the season, we continue to pull weeds diligently. The proverbial ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure when it comes to minimizing weeds. Removing faded blooms (deadheading) of perennials and annuals will ensure ongoing blooms throughout the season and occasional liquid fertilizing (in addition to slow-release granular fertilizers) will keep plants actively growing instead of succumbing to shock from the heat of summer. We also stake any tall plants which may need support as the season goes on.
Finally, in summer we shear hedges to maintain a formal aesthetic and often we use deep hand pruning to ensure longevity of shrubs. Careful and knowledgeable pruning will extend the life of shrubs as compared with constant shearing which can create stress and decline if done improperly, excessively or at the wrong time.
Below is a selection of some of in-ground annual plantings. Often annuals are intermixed with an established perennial border which includes evergreens, flowering shrubs and ornamental grasses.