GROOM Billowing, overgrown perennials like
Nepeta, Coreopsis, Lamium, lavenders, Salvias, Perovskia, hardy
geraniums and the like can be sheared back if they are growing
out of bounds. A flush of new growth and flowers will follow
later in the summer and fall. Deadhead annuals if you want them
to continue blooming.
PLAN FOR MORE COLOR Summer is a good time to plan for
late summer and fall color. Plant purple coneflower, black-eyed
Susan, Autumn Joy sedum, salvia and ornamental grasses. Many
warm season annuals like marigolds, lobelias, dahlias, snapdragons,
verbenas and impatiens can be planted now for more color.
PLANT MORE VEGETABLES A midsummer planting of green beans,
summer squash, peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets and even
early maturing corn is a good idea this month.
FERTILIZE All plants, indoors or out, benefit
from a mid-summer feeding.
