Plant Notes

SPRING IS COMING!   (First day of spring in Milwaukee is March 20th)

• In late March to early April, cut back leggy summer blooming
  shrubs like spirea, Annabelle hydrangea, diervilla, & potentilla 
  

  to 4 - 12" above ground while the plants are still dormant
  for a rejuvenated looking plant!

• Wait to prune spring blooming shrubs like lilac and forsythia until
  immediately after bloom.  Flower bud for these shrubs will form during
  the summer, so don't prune them in summer or fall.
  
  
• For shrub roses, remove any dead wood and remove about 1/3
  of old branches.  Reduce height of entire shrub by about 1/3 to
  shape the plant.
  
  
  
  • Check lawn for any evidence of snow mold (pale yellow arease with
    pink along the edges).  Rake to expose these patches to light & air.

LINKS TO SOME EXCELLENT GARDEN RELATED WEB SITES:

Check out Milwaukee County’s UW Extension horticultural home page for

gardening tips, help with insects, disease problems, etc.
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/milwaukee/hort/index.cfm

An excellent resource for Wisconsin trees and shrubs, supplying information on cultural needs and plant characteristics. 
Has good pictures too!  www.midwestlandscapeplants.org  

University of Wisconsin Urban Horticulture web site is a very complete resource for your garden questions:
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/    

 For Winter Seasonal Tips click here.