NORTH FLORIDA MONTH-TO-MONTH GARDENING GUIDE   July 2005 by Nancy George

July is a great time for shade gardening and enjoying the outdoors in the early morning and evening hours, but it's also a good time for planning ahead.  Is your landscape as attractive and useful as you want it to be?  Well designed shade gardens are a refreshing part of any landscape.  Now you can see just where shade and comfort are needed.  Perhaps you can see where a tree should be or you may have space for a romantic pergola or a vine covered arbor.


What to Buy / Plant

It's a good time to purchase crape myrtles which are in bloom now.  
Plant shade trees and vines where shade is needed.
In full sun:   pentas, purslane, lantana, buddleia, rudbeckia, plumbago, coleus, echinacea, angelonia.
In shaded areas:  justicia, plectranthus (mona lavender), torenia, tibouchina, caladium, strobilanthes 'persian shield', gingers, alternanthera 'joseph’s coat', and ipomoea 'sweet potato', taro 'elephants ear.'

Prune/Propagate

Cut back hydrangeas after bloom; prune impatiens to prevent legginess.  
Pinch off flower heads of coleus
Propagate bromeliads and orchids by dividing the offshoots.

Fertilize

Check plants for chlorosis, treat as neccessary.
Fertilize tropicals according to need.
Fertilize impatiens with 3-9-6.
Lack of dark green leaf color in gardenias despite adequate nitrogen may be from a lack of magnesium.  In this case, spray leaves with a solution of 1 teaspoon Epsom salts to a pint of lukewarm water.

Edibles

Be sure to clean up harvested vegetable rows.  Add amendments and fertilizer to the soil to prepare for Fall planting of winter crops.

Succession crops of heat loving vegetables such as carrots, beets, and peppers can still be planted now, but will have a shorter growing season.

Pests

With the moist, warm weather comes pest and disease.  Leaf spots can develop, especially if rains are frequent and there is a lack of air circulation or plants are in the shade.  Remember to water only the soil whenever possible making an effort to keep foliage dry and reduce the possibility of  fungus.

Application of insecticides may be necessary if damage becomes extensive, but, if damage isn’t substantial, then don’t spray. You will kill beneficial predators, making further pest problems more likely.  If you do spray, follow pesticide label directions and precautions carefully.  Lawn pests such as Spittlebug in centipede lawns shows as yellow or reddish streaks down the grass blades.  The blades eventually turn brown, and the whole lawn takes on a brownish cast.  Chinch bug damage appears as straw-colored areas in full sun.  Spray only  the affected areas and ten to fifteen feet around them.

For Fun

Create a cooling atmosphere by designing an informal shade garden. Add the sight and sounds of splashing water, create charm and interest with rocks, meandering paths, stepping stones and driftwood.  Accent with moss, ferns and other cool plants.




Full Sun:

Pentas		Lantana		Purslane
Buddleia "Butterfly Bush"		Coleus		Plumbago
Rudbeckia		Echinacea		Blackberry Lily
Cherries Jubilee		Lord Baltimore Hibiscus		Soap Aloe

Soap Aloe		Lobelia   "Queen Victoria"		Angelonia

Shade:

Strobilanthes "Persian Shield"		Justicia "Flamingo Plant"		Torenia
Caladium		Caladium		Caladium
Alternanthera "Joseph's Coat"		Plectranthus "Mona Lavendar"		Ipomoea "Sweet Potato"

Taro "Elephant Ear"		Plectranthus "Silver Shrub"

(All photos shown were taken July 2, 2005 on location at Purple Martin Nurseries, located at 1554 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL.  (850) 926-8335.  Owner:  Glen Campbell)

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