Weekly Gardening Tips - May 9, 2009
By Anne Wuerslin, Master Gardener
Colorado State University Extension, Larimer County
- The spring perennial bleeding heart makes a perfect Mother's Day present. This old fashioned flowering plant likes moist humus soil and partial shade. The flowers of the common variety (Dicentra spectablilis) are heart-shaped and pink, with a white teardrop center. White 'Alba" has a more delicate appearance. Combine with hostas and ferns for a woodland display. The foliage dies back in the heat of summer, when the roots can be divided and further propagated.
- Scent triggers memory, and the 2001 Plant Select shrub Cheyenne Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii), with its intense fragrance, will imprint its May perfume for many seasons to come. This is a multi-stemmed hardy shrub, prefers full sun and can tolerate dry conditions. It is hard to forget the wonderful smell of these creamy white flowers.
- Be on the lookout for oystershell scale on tree stem and branches. Commonly affected trees are ash, lilac, poplar, aspen, cotoneaster and dogwood. This insect overwinters as eggs, and hides under thick waxy scales. Repeated applications of horticultural oil may be necessary in early spring to prevent ongoing damage. Refer to CSU's Planttalk #1414, "Oystershell Scale" for further advice from www.planttalk.org..
- Start to harden off your vegetable starts for planting after our last frost. Hardening off is the process of acclimating tender seedling to the cold and wind of the outdoors. If you do not have a cold frame, you can place outdoors during the daytime, protect with cardboard barrier from gusts, and bring in at night. Our last frost is usually mid-May.
For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office.
