My perennials have never been as pretty. The cool and wet spring allowed them to stand tall and bloom in a huge song of color.

As July hits I walk up to all my gardens in trepidation that the blistering heat and thunderstorms has filled them with mildew, burned leaves and tromped stems.

I think I have found the solution to keeping the perennials fresh…. frequent and delicate pruning, meticulous weeding and a light layer of mulch (if there is only dirt showing) to retain water.

This means you.

• Cut off each spent bloom at a time,
• Anything that falls flat on the ground gets cut away
• Weed around the base of each perennial
• And clean up dead leaves or ‘muck’ that has accumulated and is obstructing precious water from getting through.

Oh and one more tip! Don’t forget to rattle the plants before you start weeding in case there are any black snakes napping in the shade!

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.