Official website of the Bridge of Flowers

Summer hours: The Blossom Brigade is on the Bridge Wednesday evenings 5 to 7 p.m. and Friday mornings 8 to 10 a.m. Come join us!

  Greetings Bridge Blossom Brigade:

It's JULY!!

   The list looks a lot like last week's. It is last weeks, with a few extra notes!

--Plant identifying signs need moving out as plants get bigger, such as dahlias. And they often need putting back together. This is an ongoing task - another little detail.

Carol's good tips: hen putting the label piece back on, pinch the sides for a tighter fit on frame, and spread the supporting tines wider to help prevent label from slipping down again

--IRIS - big and small - are starting to have brown leaves. If a brown section, but most still green, like on big iris, we can cut the leaf down part way to take out the dead part. If it's a little leaf, and mostly yuck, cut it to ground, or it may just come off with a light pull.

Then there's the in-between, and you may need to

use your best judgement, or leave it for someone else to decide or ask.

--PHLOX - Lower part of stems have dried-out leaves and some yellow ones. Can clean that up by running fingers up or down lower stems, and dead leaves

come off.

Phlox are starting to bloom.  WHEN blooms start looking a little shabby, do NOT deadhead like you would other plants by cutting the blooms off.  INSTEAD, we pick off the little flowers that make up the bigger inflorescence and leave what still looks good. Little flowers that are done pull off easily.  Doesn't have to be every single little one unless you like that kind of focus.

  The plants have been known to send out a few more flowers for a little second round.

--Echinacea don't get beheaded either. When the petals start to look frumpy, we pull the petals off and leave the cone, which still looks good, as well as interesting. When the cone starts to look bad, then deadhead.

--Yellow leaves go - daylilies, roses,....    

--Lily leaf beetles are mating again. Keep your eyes open for those bright red bugs on the lilies. Catch and Squish. I pick them off the plants, put them on the gravel path, and step on them. They will be laying eggs on undersides of leaves - so if you're up for it, get down low and look up. Squish the eggs with your fingers - they're small, orangish, in a line, and it's easy.  

--Lots of deadheading, especially roses and annuals

--Rake path, neat & tidy Bridge

The computer can be a helpful garden tool, believe it or not.  It won't dig holes, or do any actual labor for you, BUT it can be great for learning more about What is that? and What can I do about it?

I Googled Powdery Mildew, and got a lot of possibilities for info.  

Then I Googled Powdery Mildew, Phlox and narrowed the search (Other plants, including trees, shrubs, and vegetables are susceptible to powdery mildew too.)  If you want some good  info on that check out http://www.finegardening.com.  

Also, UMass Cooperative Extension has a good website and landscape message with lots of info about Diseases, Pests, Weeds,....    www.umassgreeninfo.org        

Cornell has good info, too  http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/  

You can still "work" in the garden on these hot days, and stay cool. Now is a good time to find the answers to those questions you've had but didn't have the time or energy because you were too busy digging in the garden.  

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!!

As you casually stroll the Bridge's path, you can see the gardeners and volunteers planting, pruning, potting, weeding, watering, raking...

You can stop and ask how to care for certain plants in your own yard, how many species of tulips are on the Bridge, check flowering bulbs and plant markers and ask "How do you pronounce Narcissus jonquilla?"

We welcome helping hands, if you like. You don't have to call ahead of time, make reservations or get dressed up - come as yourself, bring a friend - and enjoy a wonderful experience while gaining gardening ideas. It doesn't matter how often or for how long - if only a few moments - but come and take some time to smell the flowers.