FLORIDA—August is usually a harsh month in the North Florida landscape. Heat and humidity take their toll on both the landscape and the gardener. But there are things to do now that can make a difference in your landscape in the near future.
Now is a good time to clean up roses for fall flower production. Prune to remove diseased and dead shoots and weak, leggy branches. For rose plants that have not been fertilized recently, an application of fertilizer is suggested.
Some care now can result in neglected rose plants blooming during late summer and fall. However, some old-fashioned species of roses only bloom once each year, regardless of care.
You can force crape myrtles to flower again. Remove (deadhead) spent flowers or seedpods, pruning just the terminal seed cluster. This forces new growth and repeat flowering. It will take four to six weeks before you’ll be enjoying a second flush of blooms on your crape myrtle.
This technique also works on chaste trees (Vitex). This practice may not be possible or practical on larger maturing trees.
Larry Williams is the Extension Horticulture Agent with the Okaloosa County Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida. You can contact Larry at 689-5850 or email lwilliams@myokaloosa.com.
