July Garden Notes for the Gulf South
July is a month for maintenance—weeding, mulching and dividing—also, if our dry spell continues—watering! It sometimes seems weeds are the only thing flourishing in the dead of summer—so be sure to stay on top of that chore. Mulch will help with that and moisture conservation. The crushed pine straw is great for our acid loving favorites—azaleas, gardenias, hydrangeas and so on.
Divide your Louisiana iris, callas and lycoris at the end of the month—share the wealth or make a new bed. You still have time to make soft wood cuttings—try boxwood, azaleas, camellias, gardenias and holly. Take a 4"-6" piece of new growth and stick it in sand or soilless mix to root.
Deadhead annuals and perennials for continuous bloom—also crape myrtles. Cut back ferns and aspidistra, take out all the bad leaves and they will be gorgeous in the fall. Prune citrus trees and keep suckers removed from rootstock. Trimming hibiscus now and then keeps them in shape and produces more blooms. Hydrangeas can be shaped at the end of the month—but remember, they bloom on old wood.
Feed your tropicals—plumbago, ixora, crotons, allamandas, among others—and your roses for more bloom. Annuals should be fed regularly to promote blooming. Cut them back as needed to maintain a full bushy shape. There is still a lot of time left for summer color!
Start planning for the fall - order your spring bulbs and dream of cool weather!
