Weekend Gardener: Time to Prune

This weekend, our Weekend Gardener expert Laura Stone from has the following gardening advice:

It's time to remove spent flower heads on perennials, annuals, and shrubs so the plants can concentrate their energy on growth rather than seed production
 
Prune back June-blooming perennials and shrubs, such as Salvias and Spireas. Mid-season pruning prevents the plants from getting stretched, overgrown, and ‘floppy.’ It also encourages the plants to bloom again for some late summer color.

Annuals planted in container gardens are heavy feeders because they are watered frequently. Keep these plants robust by alternating feedings with granular and liquid fertilizers. Granular fertilizer slowly releases its nutrients while the liquid gives the plants a quick boost. Plants that produce large quantities of flowers—like hibiscus, mandevilla, and petunias—need to be fed more often than other plants. Fertilize them every 10 days as opposed to every two weeks.
 
If you applied a pre-emergent herbicide to your planting beds in spring, now is the time for a second application. Remember to water it generously.

Happy Gardening!