July eNewsletter 
The Healthy Summer Garden
Hopefully, you are surrounded now with masses of colorful (and healthy) flowers. If not, here are three essentials of good plant health that will help your garden thrive this summer:
Watering:
"An inch of rain a week" is the standard phrase repeated by those in the know but is difficult to convert to cultivated garden and container growing situations. Ensuring a plant has adequate water requires daily observation - check your plants in the late afternoon to see if they are drooping (thirsty plants will often perk up overnight and look fine when you leave for work in the morning).
Also, probe the soil with your fingers - the difference in feel between moist soil and dry is pretty obvious. When the plant and soil tell you it's time for a drink, do so. Water long and deeply in the morning, holding your hose or watering wand near the soil, avoiding spraying the foliage whenever possible - this regime, morning watering, directly to the soil, get the water directly to where it does the most good and helps prevent fungal diseases. Brief, shallow, frequent watering encourages near surface root growth which is more susceptible to drying. Remember too, that container plantings tend to dry out quicker because of their increased exposure to sun and drying winds.
Feeding:
Plants in containers have access to a limited amount of soil and nutrients. As the summer wears on the proportion of top growth and roots to soil becomes even more out of balance. Without the ability for roots to freely roam in search of new sources of food, plants are totally dependent on you for ongoing sustenance. A time release product sprinkled on the soil surface delivers an a small amount of fertilizer each time you water. We like this because it takes the guess work out of feeding and avoids overfeeding which makes for too lush vegetative growth and weak stems that are prone to physical damage.
Dead Heading:
Like people, plants look their best as adolescents on their way to sexual (reproductive) maturity. Once the kids arrive (or the seeds are set in the case of plants) it's all down hill - faster for some than others.
The aging process for plants can be delayed for quite some time if flowers are removed just before they begin to fade or, as in the case of plants grown primarily for foliage like coleus, plants are pinched back before they even form flower spikes. Dead heading is considered a pleasurable activity by many - especially when executed on a container planting strategically located next to a chase lounge on one's patio, refreshing drink in the non-deadheading hand.
Advance Viewing of New Combo Plantings:
For those of you who are curious about what's coming soon, here are some pics from an advance viewing of some of the displays at Ball Horticultural trial gardens in West Chicago recently.
These are a few combo plantings that caught our eye and will hopefully inspire you in planning for next year's garden:
Combo 1 (Above right) - An outstanding study in white - 'Baby Duck Yellow' petunia, 'Angelface White' angelonia, and 'Icicle' euphorbia. A splash of 'Evolution' blue salvia for contrast.
Combo 2 (Above left) - A simple and elegant combination of 'Butterfly Yellow' ageranthemum and 'Versa Crimson and Gold' coleus.
Combo 3 (Right) - A natural feeling mix of 'Angel Face Blue' angelonia, 'Silver Fog' Euphorbia, 'Titan Pink Halo' Peruvian vinca (with whimsical stone sculptures).
Little Empty Space:
One last thought. They say nature abhors a void so when you see that little empty space in your garden or container planting, remember that Mayflower still has lots of unique, healthy, high quality plants to keep that planting looking fresh and colorful. For ideas, check out Pots 'N Stuff or the Gallery on our website.
Happy Gardening,
Jan Wos
Owner
Mayflower Greenhouse
