Comments on: A few more words about how to garden

By: Annie in Austin

Annie in Austin — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:56:57 +0000

You can keep the full size Platycodon/Balloon flowers from flopping by cutting them back, too. Cut the stems in half once the plant is about 16-18 inches tall, which makes them bushier but does delay the bloom. Do any gardeners still plant these old-fashioned tall Balloon flowers? The nurseries carry mainly small varieties like ‘Sentimental Blues’ or ‘Miss Tilly’.

By: Repellent Review

Repellent Review — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 15:34:40 +0000

That’s a nice tip. My asters always go crazy and I’m not sure what do do with them.

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 22:16:07 +0000

Thanks Susan! I’ll leave it alone as it’s a new baby in the garden.

By: Judith

Judith — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 15:23:31 +0000

Hacking back is good advice. It’s helpful to put a ‘hack back date’ on just about every perennial in the garden. I was hacking back last night & it is quite satisfying. I have the book, Well-Tended Perennial Garden–thanks for reminding me it is sitting on the shelf!

By: OldRoses

OldRoses — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 14:44:13 +0000

I have to get this book! You wouldn’t believe how tall my asters get. They flop every year. heck, they’re starting to flop now!

By: Takoma Gardener

Takoma Gardener — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 00:03:26 +0000

Okay, Heather, but only for you. A preview: assuming you’re talkiong about C. verticillata, Tracy says first-year plants bloom all summer w/o deadheading, but after that they benefit from it. Says for stronger rebloom, plants can be sheared in august using hedge shears or a string trimmer.