English Emma Blooms

The seven plants to divide:

• Daylilies
• Bearded iris
• Shasta daisies
• Siberian iris
• Garden phlox
• Coneflowers
• Black-eyed Susans

The general method is to water the plant the day before, dig around the whole clump, lift it carefully, divide it into healthy sections, remove old or woody centres, and replant each section at the same depth. Water the new divisions thoroughly and add a light layer of mulch, but do not cover the crowns.

After dividing, keep the plants consistently moist for several weeks and wait until spring to fertilize heavily.

General method:

1. Water the plant deeply the day before.
2. Dig widely around the clump to avoid damaging roots.
3. Lift the whole clump.
4. Divide it with a sharp spade, fork, or knife.
5. Remove old, woody centres.
6. Keep healthy sections with roots and shoots.
7. Replant immediately at the same depth.
8. Water well and mulch lightly.
9. Keep the divisions moist for the first few weeks.
10. Do not fertilize heavily until spring.

Plant-specific details:

• Daylilies: Cut foliage to about 6 inches, lift the clump, pull or cut it into sections with healthy roots and several fans, then replant.
• Bearded iris: Dig up the rhizomes, discard old woody centres, keep young firm rhizomes, trim leaves to 6 inches, and replant with the rhizome at the soil surface.
• Shasta daisies: Lift the clump, cut it into smaller sections, and replant 12–18 inches apart.
• Siberian iris: Lift the clump, cut the dense root mass apart with a sharp spade, and replant at the same depth.
• Garden phlox: Wait until flowering is finished, dig up the plant, slice the root ball into sections, and replant with plenty of space.
• Coneflowers: Lift the plant with a sharp spade, divide it into pieces with strong roots and stems, and replant in well-drained soil.
• Black-eyed Susans: Lift mature clumps, cut them into smaller sections with a garden knife, and replant in full sun.

Creating a lavender topiary, also known as a lavender tree, is an enjoyable gardening project that adds elegance to any space. This beginner-friendly guide outlines the steps to craft a beautiful lavender topiary that will thrive for years.

What is a Lavender Topiary?

A lavender topiary involves the art of pruning live lavender plants into decorative shapes. While many associate topiaries with boxwood or yew shrubs, lavender topiaries provide a unique floral twist.

Choosing the Right Plant

Lavender is ideal for topiaries due to its full shape and hardiness across various temperatures and garden zones. Some varieties are more cold-hardy than others, so check labels to determine if winter protection is needed. Healthy, full foliage is essential for successful topiary creation.

Supplies Needed

• Pruners or Garden Snips: For trimming.
• Terra Cotta Pots: They allow for proper drainage.
• Sandy Soil Mix: Combine potting mix with horticultural sand.
• Support Stake: Use bamboo or similar for stability.

Steps to Create Your Lavender Topiary

1. Select the Main Stem: Choose the strongest central stem as the trunk and cut off other stems at the soil level.
2. Remove Lower Leaves: Trim leaves from the lower half of the chosen stem.
3. Water and Care: Regularly water and care for the plant as it adjusts to its new shape.
4. Trim for Shape: Gradually trim side shoots to encourage a fuller topiary form.

Supporting Your Topiary

To keep the lavender upright, tie it to a bamboo stake using pantyhose strips, which are flexible and blend well with the plant.

Experimentation

Different lavender varieties can yield varying topiary heights. Don’t hesitate to experiment with shapes and sizes to find what works best in your garden.

Conclusion

Creating a lavender topiary is a fun and rewarding gardening project that not only beautifies your space but also provides a delightful aroma. With patience and the right techniques, you can enjoy a lovely lavender topiary for years to come.

Happy Gardening!

I found this cool flower in Kentucky at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. It’s called Passiflora, or passion flowers/passion vines. There are about 550 species in this genus, and they’re all part of the Passifloraceae family.

People grow Passiflora for their amazing flowers, tasty fruits, traditional medicine uses, and even in dietary supplements and ayahuasca analogs. Some hybrids have even won awards from the Royal Horticultural Society!

Passion flowers have unique structures that are perfect for attracting pollinators. Bumblebees, carpenter bees, wasps, bats, and hummingbirds (especially hermits) are all fans. Some can even self-pollinate! Passiflora species often evolve closely with their pollinators. A cool example is the sword-billed hummingbird, which is the only pollinator for 37 species of high Andean Passiflora in the Tacsonia group.

A bunch of butterfly larvae also munch on Passiflora, including:

• Longwing butterflies (Heliconiinae)
• Cydno longwing (Heliconius cydno), which can eat multiple Passiflora species
• Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae), which goes for several types like Passiflora lutea and maypop (P. incarnata)
• American Sara longwing (Heliconius sara)
• Red postman (Heliconius erato)
• Asian leopard lacewing (Cethosia cyane)
• Postman butterfly (Heliconius melpomene), which prefers P. menispermifolia and P. oerstedii
• Zebra longwing (Heliconius charithonia), which feeds on yellow passion flower and a couple of others
• Banded orange (Dryadula phaetusa) that munches on P. tetrastylis
• Julia butterfly (Dryas iulia) that likes yellow passion flower and P. affinis
• Swift moth (Cibyra serta)
• Tawny coster (Acraea terpsicore), which eats Passiflora edulis, Passiflora foetida, and Passiflora subpeltata

 This is a Penstemon digitalis, also known as foxglove beardtongue, and I really need to find it a better spot in my garden. It's getting overshadowed by my other flowers right now. I’m thinking I’ll make the move when it’s going to rain. Since it will finish blooming soon, that’ll be a great time to shift things around. I’m planning to put it where the purple salvia are and put  Black-eyed Susans where the Penstemon digitalis are. I want the Susans and the daylilies to be in the background since I have so many of both, and they tend to grow tall.

This Penstemon is a perennial that produces these tall spikes of tubular flowers in white to pale lavender. It blooms in late spring to early summer and attracts bees and hummingbirds, which I love for my garden.

 I know that this plant thrives in full sun to partial shade, needing about six hours of sunlight each day. It prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter, like sandy or loamy types. I make sure to water it regularly, but I let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. I also deadhead the spent flowers and trim it back in late fall. Using mulch helps keep moisture in and weeds out.

When it comes to companion plants for my Penstemon digitalis, I think about adding some Russian sage, which has a similar height and loves full sun, too. Lavender would be a great choice as well, not just for its beauty but also because it attracts pollinators. With these companions, I can improve my vibrant and diverse garden space!

How Does Your Garden Grow

How does your garden grow…
With daisies and coneflowers,
Peonies
And daylilies,
Laestra,
Black-eyed Susans…

And gladioli all in a row.