There’s Still Plenty of Time to Plant this Season
Contact: Dick Brzozowski, 207-780-4205 (Portland); Lois Berg Stack, 207-581-2949 (Orono)
ORONO, Maine — Don’t let the unseasonably cool and wet weather of early summer 2005 fool you. There is still ample time to purchase, plant and establish perennials in Maine before the end of the season. Soil moisture is in good supply in nearly every region of the state. And best of all, local garden centers are offering some great values on high-quality, locally produced perennial flowers, trees and shrubs.
If you’re not sure which plants will perform well, or how to plant and establish them for best results, experienced workers at local garden centers can help. “Many Maine garden center workers have training in landscape horticulture from schools like Southern Maine Community College and the University of Maine,” says Dick Brzozowski, University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMCE) Educator in Cumberland County. “They know Maine plants and conditions, and can help gardeners select the best plants for their location.”
“Summer is not over yet,” adds Lois Stack, UMCE Specialist in Ornamental Horticulture. “The gardening season got off to a slow start this year, when too much rain and very cool temperatures discouraged many people from gardening. But recent weeks have delivered adequate rains combined with very warm temperatures. And that has changed everything. Garden centers still have lots of high quality plants on hand, and this is a good time to plant. As the temperatures cool down in August and September, plants will establish good root systems, and be ready for another Maine winter.”
Following just a few guidelines can ensure success with summer planting. Brzozowski reminds people that it is critical to select the best plant for each site. “Plants can’t thrive if they’re not in a place that provides optimum conditions for them. Think about sun, shade, soil type and water. When you can describe those things about your planting site, a garden center professional can help you pick the best plants for those conditions.” He adds that garden center workers are gardeners, too, and have tried many of the plants they sell. “They’re in an excellent position to suggest garden design ideas and great plant combinations.”
“Planting is just the first step,” adds Stack. “Water plants well on the day of planting and again the next day. Check the plants every day for the first week or so, watering deeply as needed. And don’t stop there — to produce good root systems, landscape plants should receive an inch of water each week during the first three or four growing seasons. You can reduce that need for water a bit by matching drought-tolerant plants with dry sites, but even they need ample water during this early establishment period.”
What special plants might you look for this summer? Stack suggests the Plants for ME selections. Plants for ME is a collaborative program among Maine nurseries, greenhouses and garden centers. The program’s herbaceous perennial selection this year is Fringed Bleedingheart, and the woody plant in this year’s program is Russian Arborvitae. Both are well adapted to Maine’s climate. “They’re a bit out of the ordinary, adding a touch of elegance to the home landscape without requiring too much care,” says Stack. “Fringed bleedingheart does well in most soil types, and in partial shade. Russian arborvitae is a beautifully textured groundcover that performs well in poor soils, and in sun or shade. And best of all, these plants are available — garden centers throughout the state are participating in the program. Just ask for the Plants for ME.”
More information about selecting, planting and caring for landscape plants is available from UMCE. Brzozowski notes that “people can come into the local county extension for a paper copy of many gardening bulletins, or they can download copies from our website if they prefer. The UMCE website is www.umext.maine.edu and people can access hundreds of publications there.”
For more information about the Plants for ME, visit the program’s website: www.ohcmaine.com.