When the forsythia blooms
√ Continue to prune front foundation plantings, especially rhododendron and little-leaf hollies.
√ Prune clethra to remove deadwood and shape.
√ Rejuvenate privet hedge by cutting to < 1 foot high and topdressing. On-going Edge garden beds.
After the forsythia blooms
Expand the new side bed to join more fluidly with the raingarden.
May or June
√ June 15: after flowering, shear Amsonia hubrichtii by 1/3 of its height to promote better form
√ When it is 3 feet tall, cut the joe pye weed "Gateway" back to half its height to encourage dense growth. May 30: cut down when 4 feet high to 2-2.5 feet.
√ Pinch sedum "Autumn Joy" when it reaches 8 inches; stake with ring.
Organize the bearded irises, so that visually compatible cultivars are grouped together. Tag individual plants so that they can be moved later in the season.
√ Add a pink coneflower to complement annuals Ageratum houstonianum "Hawaii Blue" and Salvia farinacea "Victoria Blue." Ended up with three "Green Jewel" coneflowers, instead. And only one at end of fall.
√ Stake dahlias when the tubers are planted and again and again as they grow. Old side bed: "Karras 150" (white); new side bed: "Normandy Painted Pearl"; house back: "Rose Toscano" (peach) and "Park Princess" (pink). Planted around May 22.
√ Pinch back shasta daisies to 6" in late May. May 30: Cut back shasta daisies in new side bed to about 6 inches. June 10: Cut back shasta daisies in old side bed to about 12 inches Will they set flowers? Yes, and cutting back had minimal effect on floppiness.
And stake, stake, stake!
Thanksgiving
While daytime temperatures are still above 40 degrees, spray an anti-transpirant, like Wilt-Pruf or Wilt Stop, on "Sky Needle" hollies to prevent winter kill. Done November 28.
Winter-sow larkspur seeds.
Top-dress beds with composted cow manure.
Lightly feed evergreens along front of house with Holly-Tone.
Dig in bone meal around peonies.
