Plant diets. Yep, we’re talking fertilizer. Just like our food, it comes in many forms. And there isn’t a “one fertilizer fits all” solution. It’s label reading time. There are 3 numbers on all labels. The first one tells you the amount of Nitrogen in the product. Nitrogen feeds foliage. So with a high nitrogen number, you can expect faster leaf/plant growth. Think lettuce. The second number is for Potassium. This element promotes healthy flowers and fruit. Think veggies. The last number is for Phosphorus that keeps plants healthy and strong.  By looking at these numbers, you have a better idea of what your plants need. But know your plant needs as well. Some plants actually prefer lean, infertile soil (ex. Feeding tall sedums makes the stems weak and floppy and lavender along with some herbs just plain aren’t happy with rich, well fertilized soil). Get your glasses out – it’s time to read labels! Time release fertilizers like Osmocote are great for several months worth of fertilizing, but they also have specific blends for specific plant needs.

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A story about ornamental grasses.  Years ago, a dear friend of mine, Dr. Marc Cathey, took me on a tour of the National Arboretum in Washington DC. We stopped at the New American Garden (long time ago – probably a different name by now). This was when grasses were just beginning to come into vogue in landscapes. He asked me what I thought of them. My honest opinion was I thought they looked rather unkempt. He said we’d sit on the bench overlooking the planting until I developed a better appreciation of them. Miss that man! And I do appreciate them these days – just look around the farm. They’re great for fall and winter interest. Relatively carefree. Drought tolerant. Make great hedges. Birds love the seed heads.

Here’s how we take care of them come spring: Some people use duct tape, but string (baler twine) will do. Just tie or tape the stems together into a bundle, grab your hedge trimmers and cut about 4-6 inches above the ground. Easy clean up. Dr. Cathey would be proud.

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You know you’re in trouble with a plant right off the bat when you don’t know what to call it! Do you pronounce it Clem-a-tis or Clem-a-tis? Whatever…we all know which plant we’re talking about. Here’s one time tested piece of advice: Keep their heads in the sun and their feet in the shade.

The truth is that clematis like their roots cool and moist, but they grow best in a sunny location. You can accomplish that a number of ways. Place mulch at the base of the plant or plant other perennials that don’t compete (ex. iris aren’t deep rooted). Decorative rocks also help shade the soil.

There are lots of cool varieties in many different colors these days. Heck ,they are even bush cultivars now! No old-fashioned garden is complete without them.

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