During the summer, when things are heating up, we mainly stay concerned about our plants
in the garden, but shrubs also need care. If you receive less
than an inch of rain in a two week period and the temperatures
have passed 85 degrees, then they probably need a drink. It's
better to water deeply, which will encourage roots to grow deep.
It's healthier for the shrub. Using a sprinkler you can set out a
rain gauge or a tin can and water until you have 2-3 inches of
water collected.
In early fall shrubs also need care, so keep this in mind. Rake
leaves and debris from under the shrubs, cut back watering to
about an inch a week and fertilize once the leaves have dropped.
After the hottest part of summer has passed, you can transplant
any shrubs you need to move. Pruning varies with the type of
shrub, but early spring is a good time unless the shrub flowers,
then it's best to wait until after it blooms. Pruning tends to bring
on new growth, and if you prune into the late summer or fall, the
growth could be damaged by frost. If you do need to prune
during the summer do it before the first week in August.
Potentillas are a very popular shrub because they thrive in any
soil, can tolerate very hot, dry sunny location or some shade.
Some have been known to survive floods and droughts as well!
Our new property has several potentillas that were never cared
for and they are a sorry site. They generally need a pruning
each autumn for shaping and to remove dead or wild branches.
I did find out that they can be cut to 12 inches above the soil if
they are especially rough looking and older.
About the author:
Brenda lives in the rural Midwestern United States with her husband and
three children. She is a freelance writer and editor of Old Fashioned Living.com.
