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Garden entry
It’s early summer, and the perennial bed is in full bloom. Coneflowers and Daylilies in various colors, bright yellow Coreopsis, white Obedient plant, and Stachys ‘Hummelo’ (cousin to lamb’s ear) encourage passersby to stop and notice. “I like all your flowers, they’re so pretty.” I respond with a humble “thank you,” acknowledging their beauty and my good fortune from healthy plants.
Still to come are the Stokes’ Asters and Black-eyed Susans.
The Penstemon and Salvia have finished blooming, so when we have a spare few minutes to tidyup the garden, we’ll remove spent flower stalks.
Last fall Mr. Gardener planted Allium bulbs randomly in this bed, and what a delightful surprise in spring. After the Daffodils and Tulips were done, the Allium foliage popped up and the purple globeshaped blooms soon after. This was our first experience with this particular bulb, and I am hopeful for their rebloom next spring.
Bronze Fennel returns every year, and towers high so the Black Swallowtail butterfly will notice. It is a host plant and ready for duty.
Even the ‘Rockin’ Red’ Dianthus situated at the garden’s edge, subjected to salted road debris in
winter, is blooming unaffected. Grown from seed and nearly four years in the garden, this plant continues to amaze me.
By the way, Mr. Gardener is feeling better. Last issue I described his frustration with the aftermath of a new driveway installation. He repaired walkways and dry stack walls, replaced some of the Hosta that were too far gone, and left others to revive on their own. And they did. Now that the landscape is on the mend, so is he.
Speaking of amazing, grandchild #4, age 3, recently spent an overnight with us. Her first. She was introduced to all the special treatment of spending time at GMO and Grandad’s house without parents—going out for pizza, then ice cream, homemade pancakes for breakfast, then out to the greenhouse for a glimpse into Grandad’s world. Helping Grandad harvest carrots was a hit, and she couldn’t wait to show her mom and dad her haul. She said, “All they need to grow is soil, sun, and water.” With that little bit of knowledge already in her brain, I suspect that her next visit will be a presentation on plant pests and natural mitigation. (I’m kidding, I hope.) She is certainly a bright child, loves to be outdoors, and is eager to be helpful. With
twin siblings on the way, that “helpful” part will come in handy. What the future holds for #4 is anyone’s guess. Presently, she amazes me with all that she’s learned in such a short period of time on this earth. I’m grateful to be a witness as she grows. Children are a reminder of the simpler things in life, the need to slow our pace, and to love fully. I’ll see you in the garden!
Question: I planted several large trees in my yard last year and wonder how long they need to continue staking in the ground for support. If I remove them now, will they fall over?
Answer: The typical waiting period for stake removal on planted trees is one year. Heavy emphasis, however, should be placed on the word typical. If the trees planted on your property are fully-grown spaded specimens that require a specialized truck for their transport –they may take significantly longer to establish.
Even when looking at more common instances of tree planting, special attention should be paid to the conditions of root establishment the trees have endured. If they had been planted in the fall or winter, for example, they would have endured slower periods of root growth during these times, ultimately prolonging the amount of time staking should have required for their establishment.
Observing the “one-year” rule enables you to be at least able to account for one entire growing season of root development. Still, other factors such as weather and climate should also be accounted for because prolonged drought and accumulated temperature extremes will also deter typical establishment time.
If you feel your trees have truly had a full year of “good” root growth, this is when they are likely able to have their stakes removed.
MUSHROOMS GROWING ON TREE TRUNK
Question: I have a large tree in my yard that just started producing conk-shaped mushrooms on its trunk this year. Is this okay? Why is it doing this?
Answer: Unfortunately, if you are witnessing conk fungi forming on a tree, there is cause for concern. These fungal bodies typically only appear on wood when there is se-
Ask the Experts
vere internal decay occurring, and it is a likely indicator that there is a hollow present. If this appears on a large tree, the structural integrity of the tree itself should be questioned because the tree is prone to collapsing and may need to be removed.
To test whether a significant hollow is occurring in your tree, you can physically drill into the suspected area with a small drill bit
and then insert a length of stiff wire or a probe into it. By measuring the length of how far the probe can go, you will be able to tell the width of the hollow present.
Unfortunately, once internal decay has begun on a tree, little can be done to deter the process. While it may take several years to have a significant effect, the decay will continue to the point of totality. Also, remember that if the tree in question has a less dense wood, the decay will occur quicker.
WHERE TO USE MULCH FROM STORM-DAMAGED LIMBS
Question: I have recently acquired a lot of mulch from stormdamaged limbs that have come down on my property. Can I use this mulch right away? Are there any reasons I shouldn’t?
Answer: Using fresh mulch in
ANTHONY REARDON Horticulture Agent
gardens is generally safe and not of concern. However, there are a few factors to consider when doing so. When incorporating fresh mulch, you add mass amounts of carbon to a bed. Doing so in a vegetable garden where nitrogen is of utmost importance may deplete this nitrogen by incorporating too much carbon. The microbes in the soil will immobilize the nitrogen available and
utilize it to break down the carbon rather than allow that nitrogen to go to the plants.
Elsewhere, you’ll also want to consider the health of the trees from which the mulch came. If diseased or infested with a particular insect, those pests may still be present in the mulch if it hasn’t sat for long. When this mulch is incorporated into landscapes with woody plant material, these pests can be spread rather than controlled. While mulching is utilized for pest control, the mulch pile should be allowed to sit and “cook” for a while to maintain an internal heat that sterilizes the mulch.
MITIGATE TOMATO BACTERIAL DISEASES
Question: Every year, my tomatoes are plagued by what I think is bacterial spot. What do I
need to do to overcome these? Are there any tricks?
Answer: Bacterial spot of tomatoes is less common than other tomato diseases but can be seen in years where excess water has been present. This year, where we have observed ample rain in many parts of the Kansas City metro, it would make sense that the disease is appearing on your plants. In pre-
vious years, however, the plants have likely been getting watered too much and likely needed their soil moisture monitored more closely.
When dealing with bacterial diseases in plants, chemicals containing copper can sometimes be effective. However, this effectiveness is unreliable and spotty, and you are much better off implementing cultural control practices. If only one plant is infected in a stand, the plant should be removed to isolate the disease presence. At the end of the growing season, all remnants of the plants should be raked up and removed to deprive lingering pathogens of a host. Also, remember weeds are pest hotels! If your garden is overrun by weed growth, those plants can be playing host to the pests or pathogens you are trying to control.
Anthony Reardon is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.
Observe the one-year rule when considering tree stake removal.
Conk fungi forming on tree trunk is cause for concern.
Using fresh mulch in gardens is generally safe.
WANNA GET DIRTY?
Kids Ask Dr. Bug about the curious things found in the garden
Are there really zombie cicadas?
If you’re thinking about braineating zombies from the movies, then no. However, there are indeed periodical cicadas that have mindand body-controlling fungal infections that take over and control their actions. While male and female periodical cicadas can be infected, when the males are infected, it causes them to act like a female who is receptive to a male looking for a mate. By making the cicadas interact with each other, the fungus can spread to other cicadas.
If you see a periodical cicada that looks like they have a piece of powdery chalk as their abdomen, this is the fungus. Sometimes, nearly the entire abdomen is missing, and the cicada will still be moving around! While this may seem like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, it’s really a fascinating example of how nature finds ways to survive and reproduce. It also shows us how connected everything in the ecosystem is. “Zombie cicadas” might sound scary, but they’re an important part of the web of life!
So, the next time you see a cicada, take a closer look. There is a lot we can learn from even the weirdest things in nature!
Is it bad for my dogs to eat bugs?
You might be surprised to learn that the occasional bug on the menu isn’t a big deal for most dogs. In fact, for some curious pups, chasing and catching a fly or cicada is just part of the fun of being a dog! In most cases, an insect or two won’t cause any harm and might even provide a little extra protein boost. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
• While a fly or two is fine, too many insects can lead to an upset tummy.
• Some insects can be dangerous to you and to your dog! For ex-
ample, some brightly colored fuzzy caterpillars and certain beetles (e.g. blister beetles), can hurt animals. Bees and wasps can sting dogs, too. So, if you see your pup eyeing something suspicious, it’s best to steer them away.
• Some insects carry parasites that can make your dog sick. Keeping your pup up-to-date on vaccinations and giving dogs their flea and tick prevention medicine helps reduce this risk.
• Dogs can have allergic reactions to insect bites and stings. Watch for itchy skin, rashes, or swollen skin/eyes, as well as anaphylaxis which can be life threatening. If this happens, contact your vet at once. If you’re ever unsure about a particular insect, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid having your dog eat it, and/or consult your veterinarian.
Why are you called Dr. Bug?
Kids gave me that nickname years ago because my last name is a bit tricky. And, let’s face it, Dr. Bug is way cooler, right? Plus, it goes
TAMRA REALL Horticulture Specialist
perfectly with my job as an insect scientist!
Why do some insects, like ants and bees, work together as a team?
Great observation! This is the kind of observation that scientists make to learn more about the world around us. If only some kinds of insects work together, you may have noticed that most insects do their thing on their own, or solitary. Solitary means that they don’t really interact with others of their species except for when it’s time to start the next generation. On the other hand, ants and honey bees are uniquely able to work together as a colony. This is because they are eusocial, or a superfamily, meaning that these related insects all live together and have specific responsibilities, including a queen and sometimes a king. Termites, paper wasps, and yellowjackets are more examples of eusocial insects. Colonies of eusocial insects may have hundreds, thousands, or even millions of individuals working together.
The ability to work together gives these insects a huge advantage and they are able to do things
that individual insects can’t do. Examples include building a giant anthill or making enough honey to feed the colony for an entire winter. Eusocial insects are able to build amazing homes, find food more efficiently, guard the colony, and take care of their young. If the colony is attacked, some may die while defending the colony, but there are many more who can keep the colony going!
And, to work together well, communication and specialization are really important! Special chemicals called pheromones are used for much of the communication. Pheromones are scent-instructions, or smelly messages. Ants and termites leave pheromone trails to tell the colony where to find food and how to find the way back home. Colony members have a special scent that is unique to the colony so the guards at the nest entrance make sure only nestmates enter. Alarm pheromones are released, and vibrations are sounded throughout the colony if an invader has entered! Honey bees also use pheromones to protect the hive and let all the bees know that queen is alive and healthy. Foraging honey bees also use sound, scent, and dancing vibrations to tell hive mates where to find the best flowers for pollen and nectar.
Speaking of cool bugs, did you know there’s now a “Kids Ask Dr. Bug” cartoon on YouTube (https:// bit.ly/KADBvideos)? Check it out on the @MUExtensionBugNGarden channel – it’s full of fun facts about all sorts of creepy crawlies!
Do you have questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to ReallT@Missouri. edu or https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug. Please include your name and age. To help me learn what you learn from this column, consider filling out this survey: https://bit.ly/ KidsAskDrBugSurvey.
Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugN Garden) is the horticulture specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833-TREE (8733), email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com, or visit www.extension2.missouri.edu.
Termites work together as a team to break down wood and create a large nest for their colony.
Photo by Tamra Reall.
Berberian 913-208-5941
The Greater Kansas City Water Garden Society Presents Wings Over Water Gardens 31st Anniversary Tour
The 2024 Season of Tours are on the following Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rain or Shine
9108 W. 57th Merriam, KS 66203 (1 blk E. of Merriam Dr.) Hrs: Mon.–Fri. 7am–4:30pm • Sat. 8am–12pm 913-432-8092
July 13 Tour #1, Kansas North
July 20 Tour #2, Missouri South Aug 3 Tour #3, Kansas South Aug 10 Tour #4, Missouri North
Tickets for all 4 tours are $10. Good for all tour dates and locations. Children under 14 attend free. Purchase tickets through Eventbrite by scanning the QR code, or visit kcwatergardens.com/2024-tour.
*Proof of ticket gives free admission on any of the 4 tour dates at the Kansas City Zoo.
July Specials:
Perennialsbuy 2, get 1 free! (of equal or lesser value)
BLUE SPRINGS
Westlake, 1205 N 7 HWY
BONNER SPRINGS
Westlake, 626 S 130th St
FAIRWAY
Westlake, 15225 W 87th Pkwy
Westlake, 10080 Chestnut St
LIBERTY
Family Tree Nursery, 830 W Liberty
LOUISBURG
Lots of bargains in our “sidewalk sale” section!
Herbal Series ~ hands on with recipes & plant to take home, $15/class:
Bountiful Basils June 29, 10:00 am
Marvelous Mints - July 6, 10:00 am
Amazing Aloe - July 13, 10:00 am
What’s in a Name? - Aug. 3, 10:00 am. Learn about botanical names & how they can help you learn about the plants. Free.
Hen House, 2724 W 53rd St
GLADSTONE
Westlake, 5945 NE Antioch Rd
KANSAS CITY, KS
Hen House, 8120 Parallel Pkwy
KANSAS CITY, MO
Planter’s Seed Company, 513 E Walnut
Soil Service Garden Center, 7130 Troost
Suburban Lawn & Garden, 4 W 135th St Sutherlands, 311 W 72nd St Westlake, 1000 Westport Rd
Westlake, 5009 NE Vivion Rd
Westlake, 104 W 63rd St Westlake, 9715 N Ash Ave
Swan’s Water Gardens, 4385 W 247th St
N KANSAS CITY, MO
KC Pond, 1557 Swift
OLATHE
Hen House, 13600 Blackbob Rd
Sutherlands, 16665 W 151st St
Westlake, 120 N. Clairborne Westlake, 1185 W Santa Fe
OVERLAND PARK
Family Tree Nursery, 8424 Farley
Hen House, 11930 College Blvd
Hen House, 6900 W 135th St
Suburban Lawn & Garden, 10501 Roe Ave
Westlake, 9301 Santa Fe Dr
LEAVENWORTH
Westlake, 3400 S 4th St Trafficway A
Class sizes limited, please pre register. Learn more/register at: https://www.facebook.com/ArnoldsGreenhouse/events or contact us as listed below. See you soon!
- follow us on Facebook for all the latest news and specials! 1430 Hwy. 58, LeRoy KS 66857 arnoldsgreenhouse.com info@arnoldsgreenhouse.com Sunday 1 - 5 pm
* CLOSED Thurs. July 4 - Happy Independence Day USA! *
LEAWOOD
Hen House, 11721 Roe Ave
LEE’S SUMMIT
Randy’s Lakeview Nursery, 1820 NE County Park Rd
Westlake, 103 S M-291 Hwy
Westlake, 444 SW Ward Rd
Westlake, 3511 SW Market St
LENEXA
Hen House, 15000 W 87th Pkwy
Suburban Lawn & Garden, 9275 Dunraven
Westlake, 11200 Antioch Rd
PARKVILLE
Westlake, 9200 NW Highway 45
PRAIRIE VILLAGE
Hen House, 4050 W 83rd St
Hen House, 6950 Mission Ln
Westlake, 4049 Somerset
SHAWNEE
Earl May Garden Center, 21700 Midland
Family Tree Nursery, 7036 Nieman Rd
Westlake, 12230 W 63rd St
SMITHVILLE
Pack’s Hardware, 116 N US Hwy 169
The Incredible, Edible Violet Works Hard for Gardeners
Euell Gibbons knew that half a cup of chopped violet leaves has the Vitamin C content of five oranges. It was a favorite wild edible of his, which fed his desperate family in lean times, and later appealed to his back-to-nature followers, who were hungry for wildforaged ingredients and recipes, found in his popular books Stalking the Wild Asparagus (1962), and Stalking the Healthful Herbs (1970).
I enjoy walking in Gibbons’ footsteps, gathering tender violet leaves and flowers to enjoy with meals, especially salads and desserts. There is always a decent supply of violets in my garden because I choose to leave them be— they are my little garden helpers. In the wild garden, violets are a foundation for stability. They are ephemeral placeholders that pop
up (from seed) in the gaps between larger, longer-lived plants that I install. Here, they establish quickly, having been brought in and moved around by ants, not me. Violet seeds have little fat- and protein-rich appendages called elaiosomes that ants love to eat. In the process of moving the seeds around to eat the elaiosomes, the ants help disperse them. Violets out-compete weeds that would otherwise show up in bare spots, especially in the shade. That’s how they can stabilize the wild garden, reducing weeds, and therefore maintenance, once plantings are established.
However, the stars must align:
• A balanced ratio of installed plants to violets is critical. If plants are initially installed at 16 to 20 inches apart, then you will end up with a desirable amount of violets. If plants are spaced 24 to 36 inches
SCOTT WOODBURY Horticulturist
apart, violets are allowed too much real estate to march into and possess. When the ratio is right, your intended plants eventually fill out and squeeze excess violets out by the end of the establishment period (2 to 3 years). If the spacing is right, violets should diminish over time and settle into a nice equilibrium with all the other plants.
• Another important thing is to keep the garden bed mulched during establishment to reduce weeds and avoid soil disturbance. Every time a weed is pulled, or rainwater washes mulch away, soil is exposed, encouraging more weeds. So when soil is exposed, cover it with mulch as soon as possible. Leaf mulch is preferable to wood mulch. Take care not to suffocate plants with mulch.
• Lastly, choose the right plants for the right place. Violets tend to grow in some shade, so the obvious plant palette would be for open woodland (shade) or savanna (part shade) species. Long-lived species like Joe pye, sensitive fern, Ja-
cob’s ladder, wild sweet William, wild geranium, columbine, American beak grass, Indian plantain, and round leaf groundsel are great choices.
• You could even add violets if none already exist. I’ve occasionally seen yellow violet (Viola pennsylvanica) and striped cream violet (V. striata) for sale at native plant nurseries. Most yards already have butterfly (common blue) violet (V. sororia). This is the one that gardeners weed out when there are to many.
• I used to be That Gardener— I weeded violets regularly, perhaps because that’s what I was taught. Now I see things differently. I love violets, I enjoy their blooms every spring, and I look for the great spangled fritillary butterflies whose caterpillars depend on the foliage for food. And like Euell Gibbons, I eat them every chance I get, not just for the free vitamin C, but for the enjoyment they bring. The native garden is full of so many things. Every native plant is an adventure!
Scott Woodbury was the horticulturist at Shaw Nature Reserve for 30 years and stepped down from that position in June 2022. He continues to work on contract for Shaw Nature Reserve to carry out native landscaping education and has launched his own business called Cacalia: Native Garden Design and Wilding. Find suppliers of aquatic and other native plants and services, native garden plans, educational programs and much more at grownative.org.
Violets growing in a woodland garden with wild geranium, wild sweet William, and celandine poppy
Yellow violet (Viola pennsylvania), blue wood violet (V. sororia) and false rue anemone (Enemion biternatum)
Photos by Scott Woodbury.
EARTH RIGHT products help you beat the heat. Our conditioner is in all of the plant products. This helps wick water, keeping plants cooler. For bigger roots & lots of blooms use Mushroom Stuff™ & Sure Bloom™ on turf or in gardens. Keeps roots from burning & soil conditioned. Great in containers!
Rose Garden & see Earth Right products at work!
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Locally owned & operated by Drew & Megan Diekmann
bright, beautiful, irresistible Coreopsis
hile walking through the neighborhood, I always have to check out the gardens and landscapes as I pass. Some are perfectly uniform, some a bit more on the wild side, and some are just remnants of gardens past. Oddly enough, all three of these sites often have a few plants in common, and one of the most popular is Coreopsis.
Commonly called “Tickseed” in reference to its miniscule seeds that resemble a tick, Coreopsis is one of the easiest perennials to grow. In the past, gardeners often grew native varieties from seed. Today, there are numerous cultivars available too, for gardeners and landscapers alike.
Many of the newer varieties are more compact and less likely to spread, as its parent species may do over time. Lanceleaf (Coreopsis lanceolata) varieties tend to grow in a mound, and have showy flowers on tall stems.
• Daybreak
• Jethro Tull
• Uptick Series (Red, Yellow & Red, Gold & Bronze)
Threadleaf (C. verticillata) varieties have more delicate, fern-like foliage topped during the blooming season with hundreds of small blooms.
• Moonbeam
• Zagreb
• Zesty Zinger
Apart from these varieties, those who wish for the true native species will easily find Coreopsis lanceolata and Coreopsis pubescens (Star
Tickseed) at garden centers. Unlike its cousins who require full sun, Star Tickseed tolerates/prefers partial sun to dappled shade.
Available in shades of yellow, red, and pink, Coreopsis gives its best show when planted in masses, or when mixed into sunny beds and borders with other contrasting sun
compost if necessary. Coreopsis is very drought tolerant and low maintenance once established, but they appreciate regular watering during their first year, which helps deep roots establish. Many of the currently available varieties will rebloom periodically when spent blooms are removed.
perennials such as Salvia, Veronica, and Echinacea, and they are a musthave for cottage and butterfly/pollinator gardens. Threadleaf varieties create a soft, airy patch that is useful when softening the appearance of the landscape.
Well-drained soil is the key to success when planting and growing Tickseed; amend clay soils with
As with any plant, Coreopsis comes with a handful of potential problems, but some simple measures help to mitigate any issues with your perennial beds. As with any perennial, overhead watering is your enemy – lawn sprinklers are for lawns. Their fine mist waters the top few inches of soil and does little more for your perennials
than wet the foliage, making a great environment for powdery mildew. When possible, water deeply with drip irrigation or by hand. If powdery mildew tries to take hold, an application of copper fungicide or neem oil should solve the problem before it becomes too advanced.
One of the best aspects of working in a garden center is that I have a constant stream of feedback from customers. Frequently listed as a deer resistant plant, be sure to note that Coreopsis are not rabbit resistant, even if the plant tag or online list claims that they are. Many of our shoppers observe that rabbits love to feast on the tender shoots as they emerge in springtime.
A good landscape is ever evolving, and new varieties are always on the horizon. The next time you are considering which perennial you need to add to your garden, treat yourself to the brightness of a Coreopsis. You, and your pollinator friends, will be thrilled.
Coreopsis varieties pictured
Daybreak
Uptick Gold & Bronze
Uptick Red
Uptick Yellow Red
Jethro Tull
Zesty Zinger
Moonbeam 8. Star tickseed
Zagreb
Sean Holland is Perennials Manager at Suburban Lawn & Garden, 135th and Wornall location, in Kansas City, Missouri. You may reach him at seanh@suburbanlg.com.
SEAN HOLLAND Perennials Manager
Photo courtesy of Monrovia.
Photo courtesy of Proven Winners.
Photo courtesy of Missouri Wildflowers Nursery.
Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.
Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.
Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.
Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.
Photo courtesy of Proven Winners.
Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.
July Rose Report maintaining a healthy rose garden
During the last few years, July, in my opinion, has become much hotter than August in the Kansas City area. Give your roses 1 inch of water a week (about 5 gallons of water per bush) in the morning so that any wet leaves will dry quickly. Wet leaves can encourage black spot and other fungal diseases. If the temperature reaches 95 to 100 degrees several days in a row, you will need to water twice a week (up to 2 inches)! If you are not sure how long to water with your hose or watering wand, fill a 5-gallon bucket and time how long it takes to fill. This amount of time is how long you should water around each bush. The goal is to water deeply into the rose’s root system. Of course, if we are fortunate to have rain, check your rain gauge and give yourself a break if it rains an inch or two during a particular week.
Mulch
I replenish the compost in my rose beds in July and try to keep 2 to 4 inches in each bed to keep the soil cooler as well as reducing weeds. Mulch may be used as well.
Fertilize
Some do not fertilize in July, but I continue my monthly protocol with liquid organic and natural products.
Disease and Insect Spray
If you spray roses for black spot and other diseases, water the day before and spray in the morning when the temperatures are cooler. Follow the instructions on your product container. Most say to not spray when the temperature is over 85 degrees. Only use an insecticide if you see harmful insects on your roses. Continue to remove diseased leaves or canes to keep your roses healthy.
Rabbit Repellent
Are you frustrated with rabbit
damage in your rose garden? Why not try botanical oil rabbit repellents such as Rabbit Out, (found on Amazon) and I Must Garden or a systemic product named Repellex (both found locally at nurseries). I have had great success with rabbit repellents in my garden (I have taken down all of the fencing) and at the Loose Park Rose Garden. And there’s more good news – these two sprays to not smell as bad as some products do. Just remember to spray early in the morning when it is cooler, twice a month. I would
LAUREN ENGLISH Consulting Rosarian
suggest using different sprays so the rabbits do not get used to the scent. Depending on the size of your rose bush, just spray from the bottom to half way up the bush. Reapply after a hard rain. The great news about a systemic product is that I hear it needs only to be applied twice in a season. I am trying it out for the first time this season in my rose garden instead of spraying the botanic oils. I applied Repellex the beginning of April and will reapply at the beginning of this month. Stay tuned!
Remember our American Rose Society Consulting Rosarians are always available to answer your rose gardening questions at kcrosehelp @gmail.com. And see kansascity rosesociety.org under “Rose Info” as well.
I look forward to seeing many of you in the Rose Garden this month. Learn about our roses at kcrsroselibrary.com. The Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden remains the Crown Jewel of our city!
Lauren English is the Kansas City Rose Society Garden Chair at the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park and an American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian. She can be reached at laurenenglish.kcrs@gmail.com or at the Ask a Rosarian hotline, kcrosehelp@gmail.com.
‘Veterans’ Honor’, a dark red Hybrid Tea, blooms profusely in the July heat in Kansas City.
Rose Help
Help keep your family and friends healthy this summer
• Follow the SkyCast at AirQKC.org.
• When elevated pollution levels are predicted, consider scheduling outdoor activities before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
• Tell your child’s caregivers about the SkyCast and the health risks of air pollution.
• Provide support to older adults, children and those with respiratory problems such as asthma or emphysema, as they are most often affected by air pollution.
• Wait until after sunset when filling up.
• Use cruise control, avoid harsh stops and starts, string multiple errands into one well-ordered trip and travel with a light load to increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
• Opt for electric lawn equipment when possible, mow after 7 p.m.
• Avoid using starter fluids. Or, use a charcoal chimney or a natural gas grill.
• Walk, bike, carpool or ride the bus to reduce emissions.
Shady Retreat: Essential Tips for Shade Garden Success
Shade gardening has a bit of mysticism. It’s less light, so it can be cooler, but it can present some challenges. With the correct plant choices your shady spots can be spectacular. A few of the reasons that shade can be tricky - competition with the trees that create the shade, changing light conditions throughout the day and throughout the season. The other is not knowing all the plant options you may have, so it can be one note. Understanding your shade and the levels of light is important. Afternoon shade is different from morning shade because, let’s be honest, our afternoon Midwest sun can be brutal. Your light can also change during the seasons. In my shade garden during the summer it is afternoon sun on one side, then moves across to the other as the summer progresses. Picking plants that can tolerate that is key to them not burning.
Moisture is the other key ingredient. Trees are competition; they are taking your precious water too. Trees with shallow root systems can be bigger water hogs. Water your landscape deeply, encourage
those roots to push down in the soil. Running your irrigation for five minutes every day is not pushing those roots deep enough.
Hostas are the staple of the shade garden for good reason. They are low maintenance, they come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Blue hostas are typically slower growing and need full to part shade. Afternoon shade is a must. The waxy coating on their leaves melts and burns in the afternoon sun. Hostas that have a little bit of lime green and a less waxy leaf are more tolerant of some sun. Sum & Substance is a classic variety that does great with afternoon sun.
If you are ready to expand your shade plant repertoire give these a try:
Alchemilla or Lady’s Mantle has interesting scalloped leaves and airy, some would say, ‘frothy’ sprays of chartreuse flowers. It is low maintenance, and does wonderful in part shade. It does not like soggy soils and is tolerant of our clay soils. Giving your Alchemilla a hair cut after flowering will keep it looking neat and tidy and prevent any seeding.
ANNE WILDEBOOR Horticulturist
Japanese Anemones are an under-used, late summer, early fall shade bloomer. They can handle the late afternoon sun but do great in part shade/sun. They do not want to be too dry but don’t want boggy soil. They have blooms in pink or white that are on longer stems. Different varieties offer various size options. I personally prefer the taller one ‘Robustissima’ with its soft pink blooms on tall, graceful stems.
Pale Purple Coneflower is an often underutilized part sun perennial. Echinacea pallida will tolerate morning or afternoon shade and still deliver a great flower display. They will also tolerate dry shade conditions with ease. I also think the color is more vivid in the shade. These are also wonderful for pollinators and the birds that feast on their seeds.
Astilbes offer wonderful texture and blooms. The linear blooms give dimension to the shade garden. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes that fit your specific garden space needs. I obviously love the flowers, but the foliage offers a lacy texture. There are options out there with chocolate col-
ored or lime green foliage. Astilbes like consistent moisture and do benefit from dividing every three to five years.
Ornamental grasses are a staple in the landscape. Not only in the sun, but there are also options for the shade. Carex is a genus that has over 2,000 species! There are some that want soggy, boggy soil and some that prefer dry shade. We have recently planted swaths of carex in our garden near the East Admissions Kiosk at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. It offers texture, color and best of all super low maintenance. Check out Hoffman Nursery or Emerald Coast Growers websites. They are a great resource to do some research on Sedges and the options available.
If you are still in need of inspiration come visit some of our beautiful shade spaces at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. The Legacy Garden, Ailie’s Glade, the Woodland Edge section of the Monet Garden and the newest garden space the Emily Dickinson Garden. Bring a book, a cool drink, and relax in the beauty of the shade.
Anne Wildeboor, a Kansas State University graduate in Agriculture/Horticulture, has over 20 years of experience in public horticulture, including roles at Powell Gardens and the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. She loves sharing her passion for plants with the public and working alongside dedicated staff and volunteers.
Alchemilla mollis
Photo courtesy of Proven Winners.
Photo courtesy of Proven Winners.
Photo courtesy of Proven Winners.
Anemone Curtain Call deep rose Hosta
Astilbe Youniqe red
Shady Butterfly Gardening
Butterfly garden descriptions always include “full sun” since butterflies are coldblooded insects that need solar energy to jumpstart their metabolism. And most nectar on flowers, which also need full sun to make the nectar that attracts pollinators. Can you have a butterfly garden if trees shade your yard? Yes, if you use a chainsaw! Not an option? Surprisingly, you can find shadeloving host plants for the caterpillars of most butterfly species. But if you don’t have nectar sources, adult butterflies will fly away to find nectar-rich flowers in a neighbor’s sunny yard. Fortunately, using just one sunbeam anywhere on your property, a container of mixed flowers can be your nectar garden.
Shady Host Plants
Many caterpillar host plants prefer shade! For example, Violets (Fritillaries), are famous shade-lovers. The Giant Swallowtail’s native Citrus trees, Hoptree and Prickly Ash, happily grow alongside your Hostas. Paw-paws (Zebra Swallowtails) are small trees of the shady understory. Shadeloving Spicebush hosts Spicebush
Swallowtail caterpillars. Common Buckeye caterpillars feast on sunflexible members of the Acanthus and Plantain families. For Black Swallowtails, Carrots and Parsley will tolerate partial shade. Even the Milkweed family has some shady members! The thuggish native Honey Vine will grow anywhere, including shade. Poke Milkweed prefers partial shade and Purple Milkweed will manage in partial sun.
Many butterfly host plants are large trees that create even more shade. Fortunately, a European horticultural technique, “stooling” (AKA “coppicing”), can maintain a tree as a 6-foot bush. In late February, whack a two-year-old tree to a 2-inch stub. By May, new stems with yummy juvenile leaves will please the caterpillars. I stool my host trees every February, including Willow, Cherry, Tulip (Liriodendron tulipifera) and Hackberry. And I don’t need a ladder to see caterpillars in my still sunny garden.
Nectar-rich Flowers
Nectar is more problematic because most shade garden flowers bloom in sunny early spring before
the tree leaves develop and butterflies awaken from their winter diapause. When butterflies do emerge, they will leave if there is no sun and no nectar-rich flowers. What can you do to keep them at home in your garden? You must provide an area of full or partial sun for basking and for nectar-producing flowers from April to October.
Space is at a premium and tightly-planted containers can provide more flower power than a garden plot. Adult butterflies are nectargeneralists, so you can choose flowers in your favorite colors that fit the available space. Most perennials only bloom for a week or two so you should focus on creating diverse mixtures of annuals for maximum continuous bloom. Old-fashioned heirloom flowers like your grandmother raised always provide copious nectar, plus pollen for bees. Use hybrids with caution since they may lack nectar. For containers, small-sized butterfly nectar favorites include Pentas, Verbena, Alyssum, and Zinnias like ‘Profusion’ and ‘Star-Bright’. Tall Verbena, dwarf Butterfly Bush, Tropical Milkweed and Lantana also grow well in containers. If you
LEFT: Container Nectar Gardens can meet the butterfly’s needs when sunny space is limited. Cram in as many different nectar sources as possible. For example, the rosy-red Zinnia ‘Profusion’, white Zinnia ‘Star Bright’, Pink Vine Petunia and yellow/red Lantana.
RIGHT: Flowers really do need sun to produce the nectar that attracts butterflies. But Torenia (Wishbone Flower) is a shade to partial sun member of the Figwort Family. This male Pipevine Swallowtail approves!
have garden space, you could plant old-fashioned annuals like the tall Zinnia, Phlox, Bee-balm, Cosmos, Marigolds, Cleome and Daisies. Even though it’s a perennial, Catmint (Nepeta) blooms intermittently from April through October and is exceptionally attractive to many pollinators.
It may be necessary to follow the sun to keep those few flowers blooming. Plant mixtures of nectarrich annuals in a pot loaded onto a wagon, which can be pulled around your yard to follow the sun as the day progresses! If your yard absolutely lacks even one sunbeam there is still hope because many butterflies will frequent fruit plates of rotting oranges, bananas or watermelon. With determination and creativity, a determined butterfly gardener can still enjoy butterflies in their shady yard!
Butterfly Garden Requirements
• No insecticides
• Full sun
• Caterpillar host plants for each species of butterfly
• Nectar-rich flowers from March to October
• Wet spot for puddling
A Marais des Cygnes Master Gardener, Lenora is a member of the Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society. She gardens in the clay soil and cruel winds of Paola, KS. She may be contacted at lenora.longlips@gmail.com.
LENORA LARSON Butterfly Maven
Photos by Lenora Larson.
GARDEN CALENDAR
July list of what to do in the garden.
LAWN
• Mow bluegrass and tall fescue at 3 to 3 1/2 inches.
• Mow Zoysia at 1 1/2 inches.
• Fertilize Zoysia to encourage summer growth with a high-nitrogen fertilizer.
• Let grass clippings fall to return nutrients to the soil.
• Look for summer diseases such as brown patches; treat as needed.
• Sharpen mower blades for a clean cut.
• Replace the lawn mower air filter and change the lawn mower oil per owner’s manual.
• Prepare to control perennial grassy weeds such as crabgrass, fescue, and nimblewill.
• Take a soil test to prepare for fall lawn renovation.
• Water deeply and less often for deep roots and a healthy lawn.
FLOWERS
• Remove faded flowers from annuals to stimulate more buds for late summer color.
• Deadhead perennials to prevent seeding and encourage plant growth.
• Replenish mulch layers; 2 to 3 inches deep is ideal.
• Cut fresh bouquets for enjoyment.
• Lightly fertilize annuals monthly for best flowering.
• Dig, divide, and replant crowded irises.
• Dig, divide, and replant daylilies.
• Fertilize roses for fall blossoms.
• Fertilize and water container gardens.
• Complete the final pinching of chrysanthemum tips for bushier plants.
TREES AND SHRUBS
• Water newly planted shrubs and young trees (planted within the last three to five years) during dry weather.
• Keep plants mulched to conserve moisture and cool roots.
• Remove sucker growth from the base of trees and along branches.
• Prune diseased, dead, or hazardous limbs.
VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
• Harvest fruits of your labor and enjoy.
• Control weeds’ growth to preserve water and nutrients.
• Fertilize vegetables to encourage plant development.
• Watch for foliar disease development on lower tomato leaves and treat with a fungicide.
• Prepare for fall gardening. Plant potatoes, broccoli, and other fall crops.
• Spray sweet corn to control corn earworms as silks emerge.
• Be on the lookout for pests in the garden and control.
• Remove old raspberry canes after harvest.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Keep compost pile moist for fast processing and turn occasionally.
• Take photographs of the garden to document success and for future planning.
MY GARDEN (Use this space to list additional tasks to accomplish in your garden.)
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Johnson County K-State Research and Extension recommends environmentally-friendly gardening practices. This starts by identifying and monitoring problems. Cultural practices and controls are the best approach for a healthy garden. If needed, use physical, biological or chemical controls. Always consider the least toxic approach first. Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.
Upcoming Garden Events
Kansas City Cactus & Succulent
Society
Sun, Jul 21, 1:30-3:30p; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes, Kansas City, MO. This month’s program covers the summer watering of succulents and how we best manage bugs and diseases on our plants. This discussion/roundtable invites all participants to share their ideas, suggestions and concerns with proper watering and bug control. And, bring along a plant you enjoy or is doing particularly well for you for show and tell activity. Everyone is welcome; refreshments will be served.
Leavenworth County Master Gardeners
Wed, Jul 10, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Shikara Wiley, of Wiley’s Greenhouse in Bonner Springs, will discuss her small greenhouse business, going more in depth into succulent care, soil, propagation and more. She will also be diving into native cactus and succulent varieties, as well as other succulent species that can tolerate Kansas winters. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth Extension office at 913-364-5700.
Olathe Garden & Civic Club
Tues, Jul 16, 1-2:30p; at Grace United Methodist Church, 11485 S Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS 66061. *Free to attend and open to the public, club membership not required.* Please join us for our monthly club meeting and presentation “All About Herbs” from guest speaker Lori Trojan!
Raytown Garden Club
Tues, Jul 2, 10a; at Connection Point Church, 10500 E 350 Hwy, Raytown, MO 64138. Program will be “The Benefits of Ornamental Grasses in Our Spaces” presented by Jennifer Barnes, RGC Member and Master Naturalist. Guests are welcome. For more information please check out our Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/RaytownGardenClub
Daylily Garden Open House
Thurs, Jul 4-Sat, Jul 6, 9a-1p; at Hart’s Daylilies, 7460 W 255th, Louisburg, KS. Walk through gardens with 700 varieties of daylilies and assorted perennials. 913/837-5209 for information.
Garden Garage Sale
Sat, Jul 13, 9a-2p; at 4109 NE Pleasant Valley Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119. Master Gardeners of Greater KC is teaming up with the Atkins-Johnson Farm sweet corn days in Gladstone to have a garden garage sale. A variety of items: hand tools, shovels, hoes, rakes, pots, hoses, plant stakes, electric tools. This is a fundraiser event for MGGKC.
31st Annual Greater Kansas City Water Garden Society “Wings Over Water Gardens” Tour
Four Saturdays in July and August, highlighting various locations around the metro. Included with the tour will be pleinair artists demonstrating and displaying the art of nature at many sites and will conclude with a local business-sponsored evening garden party. Eventbrite is selling tickets and tour books, and tickets are available at area garden centers. Wings Over Water Gardens celebrates the beauty and symmetry of nature in all her glory. Moving water in streams, bubblers and waterfalls attract a myriad of magical creatures; from butterflies to dragon flies, and honeybees to humming birds. All the elusive garden fairies come out to play when there is water. Gorgeous Lotus, swaying in the breeze and a kaleidoscope of colorful water lilies complete the attraction of pollinators to these thriving ecosystems. Come celebrate with our annual public tour on July 13th and 20th and in August on the 3rd and 10th. Tickets are $10 for adults and children under 14 attend free. Sites are open from 9a to 5p. Evening garden parties are free events and demonstrate how water features change under the stars. Builders will be present to answer your questions. Proceeds from the tour benefit construction and maintenance of educational water gardens for schools, nature centers, and other non-profit agencies. Tour one Saturday, or all four for the same price. Follow us on Facebook or visit our website Kcwatergardens.com.
Daylily Sale
Sat, Aug 17, at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO. The sale begins at 8:30a and runs until 2:30p or until sold out.
MOMGA’24 Headed to St Joseph
The Northwest Missouri Master Gardeners will host the 2024 Missouri Master Gardener Conference Sep 27-29. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Doug Tallamy, acclaimed author and advocate that we can all take an active role in stopping the decline in pollinators and wildlife populations by planting native plants to create a Homegrown National Park. The conference will offer a wide variety of classes, workshops, and tours. The conference will play host to the Vendor’s Marketplace which will run Saturday and Sunday. There also will be the popular raffle and silent auction offerings. Registration now open, and you’ll want to reserve your spot early. Facebook page, MOMGA’24.
Conserving Water and How to Water More Efficiently for Successful Gardening
Mon, Jul 2, 6:30p; at Tonganoxie Public Library, 217 E 4th St, Tonganoxie, KS
66086. Join Leavenworth County Master Gardener, Jo Domann, for an informative discussion on how to conserve water by determining when and how much to water. Learn the different watering requirements for a variety of garden plants. She will also have tips on the best ways to conserve water and creative ways to save water by using simple irrigation techniques. Ever consider using an old fashioned rain barrel? Come talk about it. The meeting is free and visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.
The Gardens at Unity Village Farmer’s Market
Sat, Jul 6, 8a-noon; at Unity Village, 150B Northwest Colbern Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086. Experience a century of history and nostalgia in the barn and gardens at The Gardens of Unity Village Farmer’s Market. Three cultivated acres behind the 3-story barn provide freshly harvested vegetables and fruits. The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will have a wildflower and native plant display and a container gardening demonstration. There will also be a fun children’s activity called “Plant Parts and Vegetable Art.” Free to the public, children welcome when accompanied by an adult.
Nature Photography Sat, Jul 13, 8:30a-noon; at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 Northwest Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Join Extension Master Gardener Ric Sweeting for a macrophotography course that teaches how to search for and track the perfect nature shot. Learn how to get your camera settings ready so you can capture that spur of the moment photo. For information and registration please email mggkc.market.pub@gmail.com.
Gladstone Children’s Garden Day Sat, Jul 13, 9a-noon; at Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum, 4109 Northeast Pleasant Valley Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119. Join Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City at Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum for a day of family fun activities. Children and their parents are invited to participate in garden friendly activities in the garden, then take part in a garden scavenger hunt. Visitors can experience Extension Master Gardeners digging potatoes and gather their own vegetables to take home and enjoy. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Children’s Programs will be presenting “Pollinators: Not Just Bees and Butterflies.” Children can learn about other living and non-living ways plants are pollinated, and discover these pollinators work by day and night. There will be an experiment using an insect to pollinate paper flowers and learn ways to help pollinators in their own home and community. Free to the public, family friendly.
Blooming Blue Springs—Bees, Butterflies, and how to construct Butterfly Puddlers
Sat, Jul 20, 9-11a; at Blue Springs Historical Museum Garden, 101 Southwest 15th St, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Learn about the need of bees and butterflies for water and rest during late summer and early fall. We will show you how to construct a puddler to help these important pollinators meet their needs. Enjoy creating your own puddler made from items you already have in your home. Free to the public. Please register for this event at https://extension.missouri.edu/events/ blooming-blue-springs-bees-butterfliesand-how-to-construct-butterfly-puddlers.
Bug Extravaganza
Sat, Jul 20, 10a-2p; at Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 East Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64132. Lakeside Nature Center presents a native wildlife event. Observe a working beehive, a caterpillar zoo, a kestrel, and a tarantula. Go for a scheduled, guided hike or browse information tables that feature insect life cycles, ways to support pollinator species, and insect predators. Arts and crafts are also available. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Children’s Programs will be presenting “Flower Power.” Children will learn about the anatomy of a flower. They will discover plants can self-pollinate, cross-pollinate and that some true self-pollinators don’t need pollinators at all. Learn how and why flowers are pollinated, and what happens afterwards. Free to the public. Family friendly. For more information visit https://lakesidenaturecenter.org/event/fox-hollow-fest-2/.
Conserving Water and How to Water More Efficiently for Successful Gardening
Wed, Jul 24, 6:30p; at Basehor Community Library, 1400, 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Join Leavenworth County Master Gardener, Jo Domann, for an informative discussion on how to conserve water by determining when and how much to water. Learn the different watering requirements for a variety of garden plants. She will also have tips on the best ways to conserve water and creative ways to save water by using simple irrigation techniques. Ever consider using an old fashioned rain barrel? Come talk about it. The meeting is free and visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.
List your garden events like classes, workshops, club meetings, and plant sales for free.
Send details to elizabeth@kcgmag.com
Deadline for the August issue is July 10.
TOURS
Daylilies – Plants and People
What is a daylily? A few years ago, a fellow gardener told me that she was not interested in growing any “of those orange flowered plants with the green foliage.” I sent her photos of several hybrid daylilies including ‘Brown’s Ferry Cream Supreme.’ Her response was “Wow! Is that a daylily?” Her gardens now include hybrid daylilies in various hues.
Southeast Kansas, my residence for more than three decades, has variable Midwest weather. Gardeners are challenged by cold and heat, floods, and droughts. The search for resilient and beautiful plants is ongoing. Daylilies are a desirable choice for gardeners in this environment. Most daylilies in the Midwest are dormant in the winter emerging in the spring with warm weather. When sufficient moisture is present, they will continue to bloom even in a heat wave. Each flower emerges for its day of glory only to decline and fade after
its one-day show. A mature plant can produce multiple numbers of blooms on a support or scape.
Hybrid daylilies are an easy and exciting addition to any flower garden. They formed the center of my flower garden in Iola, Kansas beginning in the 1990s. These unnamed tetraploids purchased as a collection placed this grower on the road to discover the vast array of shapes, colors, ruffles, and diamond dust! Hybridizers like Eric Tankesley-Clarke, Bobbie Scott, and James Gossard among others are producing spectacular flowers. With collections named Top Gun
Hotlines for Gardeners
Extension Master Gardeners are ready to answer your gardening questions.
913-364-5700; Leave a message. A Master Gardener will contact you.
MIAMI COUNTY & LINN COUNTY
913-294-4306; Thurs, 8am-noon
WYANDOTTE COUNTY
913-299-9300; Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am-4pm
QUESTIONS ABOUT ROSES?
Ask a Rosarian; kcrosehelp@gmail.com; www.kansascityrosesociety.org
(Bobbie Scott) and Heavenly Gardens (James Gossard) a wide array of blooms and shapes await!
My husband and I have enjoyed attending local meetings of daylily clubs in Topeka and Manhattan, Kansas. Our organization exists at the local, regional, national, and international levels. This year our national meeting was conveniently located in Oklahoma City in June, consisting of garden tours, daylily plants, banquets, and informative speakers. At the national conference last year in Nashville, I met international member Lena Elliott from Australia. Time passed swiftly as we spoke of her country and our experiences as gardeners. It was great fun!
Join us for a daylily plant sale on August 17th at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania Ave. in Kansas City, MO. The sale begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 2:30 p.m. or until sold out. We look forward to getting acquainted with you.
Our active club, The MO/KAN Daylily Society provides fellowship and knowledge for a group of daylily enthusiasts in the Kansas City area. Meeting five times a year gives the opportunity to gain experience from knowledgeable speakers while visiting with fellow growers. Come and join the fun, food and fellowship at Ashbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, KS. Our next meeting is October 5th; we have Zach Louk from Green Cover doing a presentation on healthy soils and the use of cover crops. Consider joining this group of daylily devotees.
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Coreopsis boasts yellow daisy-like blossoms throughout the summer months. Once established, they’re drought tolerant and will thrive in your garden for years to come. Several varieties to choose from.
