June 24 2006 Timely Tips

GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

BEXAR COUNTY

BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

June 24, 2006

  • Crape Myrtles are blooming all over town now. Consider planting the hybrid varieties that have Indian names. For example, Natchez is white, Tuscurora is reddish, and Muskogee is purplish. They are faster growing and less susceptible of powdery mildew fungus.
  • Fall-blooming Mexican Mint Marigold, chrysanthemums, and Mexican Bush Sage should be pruned during the summer to keep them compact and reduce the need for staking.
  • June is the month to select day lily varieties as they reach their peak bloom.
  • There is still time to plant some of the heat-tolerant summer annuals. You can direct seed zinnias and portulaca, and purchase periwinkle, salvia, marigold and purslane plants for transplanting. Be sure to water transplants adequately until roots become established.
  • Prune re-blooming salvias, such as Salvia greggii and S. farinacea, periodically for continued blooms. For a newly released 2006 Texas SuperStar salvia, consider planting “Henry Duhlberg.” You will like it and so will the butterflies.

David Rodriguez is County Extension Agent-Horticulture with Texas Cooperative Extension in Bexar County. For more information, call the Master Gardener “Hotline” (210) 467-6575 or visit our County Extension website at http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu

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