Weekly Gardening Tips - July 11, 2009

Anne Wuerslin
Colorado State University Extension Master Gardener in Larimer County

• Let seeds from your June-flowering perennials such as columbine, foxglove, and delphiniums naturally dry and mature. These plants will reseed and give you new plants next spring. The exception is Spanish Peaks foxglove (Digitalis thapsi), a 1999 Plant Select® perennial foxglove. Trim off old flowering stalks for more blooms. This hardy plant tolerates dryer and sunnier conditions than traditional cottage garden types.
   
• Tired of floppy peonies? Look for Itoh Group hybrid peonies, named after the Japanese hybridizer who was first to combine the attributes of tree (woody) peonies with seed peonies. These hybrids have stronger stems which bear terminal flowers. There are a variety of colors, including yellow. The plants die back in winter (like seed peonies), but bloom the following spring from ground buds.
   
• The Australian Kangaroo Paw plant (Anigozanthus) has soft, wooly foliage with spikes of fuzzy flowers in many brilliant colors. Combine with grasses in pots for textural contrast. Overwinter this plant indoors.

For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office.

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