Aphids, Aphids, Everywhere...

The little critters are out in full force. Some are green, some are white and some are black, and they are plentiful. I noticed some on my Diablo Ninebark yesterday, so have to get out there and spray them down with the hose. All shrubs and trees can really use a good bath everytime you water - be careful not to shred the leaves as you are spraying, but try to get as many of the aphids off as possible. If they continue to multiply, apply an insecticidal soap on the tops and undersides of the leaves. Leave soap on for up to an hour, then spray the plant down again with water. This process will have to be repeated every one to two weeks to get the infestation under control.
What else is happening out there? We discussed Birch Leaf Miner a few days ago - have you seen the brown leaves on many of the Birches out there? This is definitely a bad miner year.
As we head into the warm temperatures of summer (finally!), ensure you are keeping up with watering your containers - they may need watering in the morning as well as a small drink at night. Ensure you are watering all of your trees, shrubs and perennials in the early morning. Watering in the afternoon proves almost fruitless as most of the moisture evaporates. We still have plenty of summer days left, so check out what's blooming at the garden centre and fill in those empty spots. Here are some of my recommendations:
Perennials:

• Coneflower (Echinacea)
• Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum)
• Tickseed (Coreopsis)
• Astilbe (Astilbe)
• Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
• Asiatic Lilies (Lilium)
• Gayfeather (Liatris)

Shrubs:

• Spirea
• Mockorange
• Hydrangea (some varieties)
• Smokebush - 'Young Lady' is starting to look fabulous

See you at Spruce!