BEAUTYBERRY -- The American beautyberry is a native plant with three seasons of interest. Small flowers appear with the leaves in the spring, summer foliage is a rich green, and fall brings clusters of berries. (Photo by MSU Extension Service/Gary Bachman)
by Bronwynne Bailey
Planting
● Plant crape myrtles in bloom to be sure of their color.
● Plant warm-season grasses: Bermuda, centipede, zoysia, and St. Augustine (June to
August).
● Replace turf in deep shade with ground cover: liriope, ajuga, vinca, or pachysandra.
● Summer annuals: ageratum, cockscomb, impatiens, marigolds, sunflowers, four-
o’clocks, and periwinkle.
● Plant tomatoes late this month to ensure harvest late into fall. Cherry tomatoes and Bella
Rosa varieties are good choices for heat tolerance.
● Select daylilies in bloom for planting in your garden.
● Plant zinnias and marigolds now for a second crop of flowers.
● Gladiolus planted now will give lovely fall blooms.
Fertilizing
● Fertilize all ornamental shrubs/trees and annuals/perennials with a slow-release
fertilizer.
● Fertilize camellias with azalea-camellia fertilizer if not done earlier in the year.
● Fertilize tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini monthly with 5-10-10.
Pest Control
● Scout the landscape/garden regularly for pests and treat as needed.
● Remove zinnias with powdery mildew and replant.
Pruning
● Prune oleanders after blooming ends.
● Pinch dahlias and mums to ensure a compact growth habit.
● Remove blackberry fruiting canes after harvest. Prune new canes to encourage side
branching.
● Remove faded flowers from daisies, daylilies, and other summer flowers.
Blooming
● Chinese parasols, golden raintrees, cletheras, and catalpas.
● Ageratum, balloon flowers, bee balm, begonias, butterfly weeds, coreopsis, cornflowers,
gladiolus, hollyhocks, nicotianas, petunias, phlox, scabiosas, Shasta daisies, verbenas.
Fruiting
● Green ashes, aucubas, blueberries, redbuds, peaches.
