April showers bring May flowers! We certainly have had enough rain. In fact, being a gardener this year has really been a challenge. Not only has it been wet, but it has also been cold. The tulips and daffodils seem to have thrived on the cool weather, they have been quite gorgeous! The spring flowering bulbs become unsightly after blooming. We have to leave the leaves intact to feed next years blooms. I have found that if I fold the leaves over and fasten them with a rubber band, the leaves are soon hidden with other plants.
Don’t be in a hurry to put in annuals, as our frost will be late; however violets, primroses, and pansies do quite well in wet, cool conditions. They will return next year to fill the space, and have many blooms. Have you ever wondered why our bulbs do not return in the spring? I read where if we plant water loving plants such as impatiens over the bulbs, they rot. Since petunias and marigolds take less water, they may be a better choice.
If you have roses, cut off all winterkill. Any branch below the crown should be removed. Feed with a good systemic fertilizer. This saves both time and money; it attacks any problems before they start. Do try the new ground cover roses!
With our wet weather, be on the look out for iris thrip. Spray every ten days with malathion. If any of the rhyzomes are soft, cut away and burn. Be sure to dip your cutting tool in bleach or sulfur, as the disease can spread. Be aware of armyworms, spray with malathion or diazinon, repeat as needed. Happy Gardening!