Garden Checklist for May, 2009

by Dr. William C. Welch, Professor & Landscape Horticulturist
Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University

Succulents in Containers

Now is a good time to create summer containers exhibiting succulents such as echeverias, sedums or house leeks (sempervivums). The larger rosettes of the echeverias and sempervivums may be situated in the container with edgings of smaller-leaved sedums.

Succulents are easy to re-do and invigorate at almost any time of the year. Trim off the heads leaving about 1" of bare stem below, then situate into a pot in good soil media and press firmly in place. Do not overwater until new growth has become established.

Cut off old blossoms on spring flowering annuals, such as pansies, snapdragons, stock and calendulas, to prolong the flowering season.

Continue to fertilize roses every four to six weeks with small amounts of a balanced fertilizer.

Allow foliage of spring flowering bulbs to mature and yellow before removing.

Set out plants of hybrid portulaca (purslane) in sunny areas. Make rooted cuttings of your favorite colors by placing 3 to 4 inch stems in moist, sandy soils.

It is not too late to sow directly into the soil seeds of sunflower, zinnia, morning glory, portulaca, marigold, cosmos, periwinkles and gourds. Achimenes, cannas, dahlias and other summer flowering bulbs can also be planted in May.

Pinch back the terminal growth on newly planted annual and perennial plants. This will result in shorter, more compact, better branched plants with more flowers.

Plant caladium tubers, petunias, impatiens, begonias and torenias in well prepared shady areas.

Make cuttings of your favorite chrysanthemums and root them in a mixture of sand and peat moss. Cover cutting box with plastic and place in shaded area for 5 to 6 days to prevent wilting.

Replace or replenish mulch materials in flower beds and shrub borders to conserve moisture and reduce weed growth.