Mid-July is not too late to prune back leggy azaleas and rhododendrons and remove the top third of any mother plants to allow them to branch and bloom into compact, bushy plants.
You can fertilize your lawn when you want to water it to keep it green all summer, or when you want to stop watering and let your lawn "brown," or sleep through the dry months of August and September. A dormant lawn will turn green again when the fall rains return.
Q. I want to attract butterflies and I've heard that there is a special plant that monarch butterflies need to survive. Do the nurseries in our area sell this plant and what is its name? – BM, Puyallup
A. You must be referring to the spurge plant or asclepias and yes I've seen them for sale at local nurseries but usually in the spring and not that late in the season. I suggest you call or call your local nurseries. If they don't stock this favorite pollinator, they may be able to order it for you.
In the meantime, consider adding Sedum and Helianthus 'Autumn Joy' to pollinate late summer blooms and early blooming Pulmonaria for early spring blooms. There are also sterile butterfly bushes (buddleia) such as the dwarf buddleia 'Pugster' and the compact buddleia 'Lo and Behold'. These dwarf lilacs will attract and feed butterflies and add summer blooms to your landscape in an easy-care shrub. The butterflies will thank you.
Q. Is sedge a good ornamental grass for our area? I'm getting rid of my giant ornamental grasses that self-seed and need pruning in the fall, and would like to use a less demanding, evergreen grass. I read that Carex is a good alternative and a smarter herb. –T., email
A. carex or sedge is not a true grass but has grass-like leaves and is an excellent choice, especially in humid areas. The evergreen sedge provides color in shady areas all year round and has good resistance to pests and diseases. Look for 'Evergold' with glossy green leaves and a golden streak, and the new cultivar 'Everilo' with glossy green leaves that turn golden with age. The latter is part of Sunset Western Garden's introductory plant collection, so it does well in our area. Carex plants don't need to be pruned back in the spring and tend to be less high maintenance.
Q. What is the name of the spurge plant with gold and lime green foliage that looks great all year round? It is used in container gardens and I remember surviving without much water and even looking good in winter. I had it once but then I moved house and forgot to take this amazing plant with me! – Po, Tacoma
A. Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' is truly a stunning perennial with red stems, gold and green leaves and a pink hue once the weather cools. The good news is, if you can't currently find Ascot rainbow spurge in nurseries, wait a few months. In the fall, local garden centers and nurseries stock up on fall-appearing perennials, and you'll have these and several other euphorbias on display with fall plants. Another favorite is Euphorbia 'Ruby Glow' with bright red new shoots and almost black leaves. A single Euphorbia plant will fill a container and look great all year round.
Marianne Binetti has a degree in Horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of several books. Contact them at binettigarden.com.
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