June Garden In The South

The harmonies of spring have changed into the symphonies of early summer

. Where the colors predominating on all sides were those of white, cream, yellow, rose pinks, salmon and reds of the roses, we now have the tawny yellows of hemerocallis, deep wine reds, the pure white of shasta daisies, the soft primrose of anthemis and the varying blues of salvias. Here and there proud stalks of gladioli add height and rainbow hues to the borders.

Pruning is most important. The shrubs which have finished flowering Must be pruned at once, if this has not already been done. Take out the old canes and remove the spent flower stalks, giving them a chance to grow new wood for next year's flowering. Spireas of all kinds, forsythias, early and late lonicerns, pearl bushes (Exochorda), philadelphus and deutzia are among the most important.

Lilacs, the beautiful syringas, need to have only the dead flower heads removed. Syringa persica and the Chinese lilac, which is new (Syringa rothomagensis), have proved to be the best for this section. Vulgaris does not stand the summer heat nor do the French types. So, be safe and plant these Persian and Chinese kinds for beauty and fragrance and long life.

Cydonias, both hybrids and the old-fashioned kinds, de not tolerate pruning. They bloom on old wood and cutting them for flowers which open so beautifully in the house during the worst cold of winter is all the pruning they need.

Remove the spring annuals that are through blooming and after fertilizing the borders fill in with new seedlings from the seed boxes and beds. Thin out the summer annuals that have been broadcast. It is wise to do this as early as possible for the heat makes transplanting risky as the summer temperatures increase. Sweet alyssum, ageratum, zinnia, marigold, petunia and verbena may already have started to bloom, but keep on filling in the bare places with small plants as they are needed.

Mulches are necessary. Oak leaves are best in 3-inch layers over the groups of azaleas and camellias and to keep the wind from scattering these cover them with old pine needles. Gardenias also need this root cover and roses of all kinds may be mulched with the pine needles if peat is beyond the budget.

For newly planted shrubs it is wise to keep a bag of peat on hand and use it with discretion to help small, fine shrubs to grow. Over this you can use the pine straw and thus help yourself and the plants.

by: Thomas Fryd

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