by Mitzi
Davis
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
Master Gardener
Larimer County
Spring flowering shrubs, such as spirea, viburnum, lilac and forsythia, should be pruned as soon as they are done blooming.
Use a pair of pliers to pull up woody seedlings and weeds. Grip the stem at the soil line, twist it around the pliers, and pull straight up. Watering deeply the day before will make weeding easier.
A trigger nozzle or an on/off valve on your hose will help conserve water, preventing unnecessary water flow.
Oystershell scale attacks ash, cotoneaster, dogwood, lilac and poplar – including aspens and cottonwoods. Applying dormant oil in late winter or early spring before bud break is the best control. You can also use one of the newer “summer oil” sprays to control the scale during the crawler stage from mid May to mid June.
For hanging baskets in cool, shady locations, use tuberous begonias, coleus, Browallia (silver bells), Torenia (wishbone flower), impatiens or fibrous rooted begonias. Use these plants in combination with partial-shade tolerant trailing plants, such as lobelia and nasturtium.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.
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