June 17, 2002

June is traditionally the favorite month for weddings. Gardeners choose this month as a favorite as well. The peonies put on their performance early in the month. Roses follow soon after that. The perennial garden is at its peak. The foliage is usually in lush growth topped with colorful blooms in a rainbow of colors.
To keep the color going, remember to trim off the finished blooms on perennial plants. Many will continue to bloom if they are deadheaded. The plant's job is to produce seed to perpetuate the species. If the dying flowers are removed before the seed is properly formed the plant is likely to flower again.
Roses are a good example. Many of our modern roses, especially the newer varieties, have been bred to be ever-blooming or repeat bloomers. You can find ever-bloomers in most of the rose types- shrub, climbing, floribunda, hybrid tea and miniature. To keep them blooming it is best to remove spent blooms before they form rosehips (the fruit). Cut the faded bloom back to a leaf with five segments. Try to select a leaf that points out or away from the center of the bush. Cut on a 45-degree angle ¼ inch above the leaf. Just under this leaf base is a bud, which will grow more foliage followed by flowers. By always selecting the outward facing buds the bush will have an open center with better air circulation. Good air circulation is an aid in preventing fungal leaf diseases on roses.
Peonies however, have just one bloom period- spectacular, but brief. The plant will still benefit from removal of the faded flowers. Cut them as you would cut roses, above a leaf with five sections. This way the bare cut stems will be well hidden. The foliage will be green and attractive until frost.
Keeping the foliage on the perennials healthy is important. Deadheading allows the plant to put on healthy new foliage regardless of whether the plant is a re-bloomer or not. From time to time insects or disease may attack the foliage. Trimming off damaged leaves will not only look better but is better for the plant.
Many of the small fruits are ripening this month. Strawberries, gooseberries and blueberries all bear fruit in June. To protect these delectable from hungry birds the plants can be covered with netting. The polyester garden fabric that is used for insect and frost protection can also be used. The netting and fabric are available at most garden centers or from garden catalogs. The netting can also be used to protect the fruit on peach trees.
In the vegetable garden many of the plants are flowering and will soon be setting fruit. Tomatoes, eggplant and peppers can be fertilized when they set fruit. Side dress these plants with a sprinkling of 5-10-5 fertilizer or a thin layer of compost. Cucumbers and squash can be fertilized when their vines start to run. Make sure the plants are mulched to keep weed competition down and to preserve moisture. Untreated grass clippings or clean straw are good mulches for the vegetable garden. Refresh the mulch if it decomposes or becomes too thin.
There is still time to plant tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers and squash. Try to get them planted by the end of this week to get a good crop before frost. Second and third sowings of carrots, beets, beans and cucumber seeds can extend the growing season. Plant them in the spaces where the early crops, such as lettuce and broccoli are finished. Remember to refresh those planting areas with compost, rotted manure or fertilizer first. Seeds and vegetable plants are still available in the garden centers.
Annual flowers can still be planted as well. Many varieties are now available in larger pots at this point in the growing season. The varieties that prefer the warmer weather such as vinca, impatiens, nicotiana and zinnia look really good right now. Pot up a selection of different annuals for containers to grace the front entryway or dress up the patio, deck or pool. Remember to include unusual or colorful foliage plants when putting a container garden together. These plants always look good even when the flowering plants are between blooms. Many growers will be discounting their stock, so you can fill in those bare spots at bargain prices!




Beth Nardone, botanist, is a resident of Hillsborough and is the Nursery Manager at the Belle Mead Co-Op. Questions and comments can be sent to bethtanical@rcn.com