Mary Claire Rowe

In the Smith County Master Gardener Newsletter last month, master gardening expert, Dee Bishop, published a list of nine garden chores for the season, and they apply for early August, as well.

They are:

Deadhead all flowering plants to prolong their blooming season;

Trim flowering shrubs as soon as flowering ceases, if they need it;

Fertilize plants lightly after heavy rains (which leach the nutrients from the soil);

Mulch to keep weeds at bay, the soil cooler, and moisture levels even;

Divide perennials when blooms decrease in size or number or to keep plant in bounds;

Separate bulbs now through September or so, and cut off foliage if unsightly;

Save seeds;

Take cuttings from perennials and woody shrubs and place in shady area and keep well watered and

Water - as needed, which we haven't needed to do this season. However, when you do need to check the soil, rather than using your finger, try a sharp pencil. If the soil adheres to the pencil, don't water.

Following this advice will certainly help make your garden a better place.

One more tip that will help you add color and variety to your home garden: Visit the IDEA Garden this season. The beds are at their prime, and the variety of plants and flowers that do well here in Smith County will amaze you, to say the least.

The upper beds, which are located beside the garden shed, are filled with wonderful plants that have been extensively tested at the Texas A&M University Research and Extension Center at Overton, headed by Dr. Brent Pemberton; at the Texas A&M Extension Center at Dallas, headed by Dr. Wayne Mackay and at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, headed by Jimmy Turner. They are the North Texas Winner's Circle plants. More information about this research center and these plants can be accessed at http://flowers.tamu.edu/ntwc.htm.

During the next month we will feature some of these plants, but there is nothing like seeing them in person, and realizing how they would fit into the landscape.

Two interesting plants that are grass-like in effect, and will add color and variety to the landscape mix are Miscanthus sinensis "Dixieland,'' also called Variegated Japanese Silver Grass, and Carex testacea "Prairie Fire,'' called Sedge.

Last week we pictured the sedge. This week it is the Silver Grass. The Silver Grass looks like a larger version of variegated Lariope, which many use as a border for their gardens. I have just planted "Dixieland'' and am hoping that it will spread and fill an area that needs a striking bi-color plant.

"What's Blooming In Our Garden'' is a regular feature of the Tyler Morning Telegraph Garden Page. It is written by Mary Claire Rowe, a Master Gardener with the Texas Cooperative Extension, and focuses on flowers and plant life around East Texas. To share your comments on gardening, write her in care of the Morning Telegraph.

Mary Claire Rowe
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