Mid-July is not too late to prune long-legged azaleas and rhododendrons and remove the top third of the chrysanthemum plants so they grow into bushy, bushy plants.
Whether you decide to water all summer and keep it green, or stop watering and let your grass "go golden," or go dormant during the dry months of August and September, you can fertilize your lawn. When the autumn rains return, the dormant grass will still be green.
Q. I want to attract butterflies and I heard that there is a special plant that helps monarchs survive. The nursery in our area sells this plant and what is it called? - JV, Puyallup
A. You should say Euphorbia or Asclepius, and yes, I've seen them for sale at local nurseries, but usually not in late spring, late in the season. I suggest giving or calling your local nursery and if they don't have your favorite pollinator in stock they can order one for you.
In the meantime, consider adding stonecrop and 'Autumn Joy' sunflowers for late-summer pollinating flowers and early-blooming lungwort for early spring blooms. Sterile butterfly bush (Buddleia) is also available, such as the dwarf Buddleia 'Pugster' and the compact Buddleia 'Lo and Behold'. These dwarf shoots will attract and feed butterflies and brighten your landscape with summer flowers on a low maintenance shrub. Butterflies will thank you.
Q. Is Carex a good ornamental grass for our area? I got rid of my giant ornamental grasses that needed replanting and mowing in the fall and wanted to use perennials that didn't have sharp ends. I've read that Carex is a good and better performing alternative. -T., e-mail
A. Sedge, or sedge, is not a true grass, but it has grass-like leaves and is an excellent choice, especially in wet areas. Spruce broom provides year-round color in shady areas and has good pest and disease resistance. Look for 'Evergold', which has bright green leaves and golden strokes, and new 'Everilo', which has bright green leaves that turn gold with age. The latter is part of a collection of plants featured at Sunset Western Garden, so it works well in our area. Carex should not be pruned in spring and will likely become a rearing monster.
Q. What is the name of the golden linden leaf broom that looks beautiful all year round? It is used in container gardens and I remember surviving without much water and looking great in winter. I used to, but then I moved and forgot to take this amazing plant with me! -PO, Tacoma
A. Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' is a stunning plant with red stems, gold and green leaves and stems that turn bright pink in cool weather. The good news is, if you can't find an Ascot Rainbow in the nursery, wait a few months. In the fall, local parks and nurseries are filled with perennials that will be on display in the fall, and you can find these and other euphorbia plants. Another favorite is Euphorbia 'Ruby Glow', which has bright red young shoots and almost black leaves. One dairy will fill the container and look great all year round.
Marianne Binetti studied horticulture at Washington State University and is the author of several books. Contact us at binettigarden.com.
