Backyard Grove
Have you have ever thought about how nice it would be to be able to go into your own back yard and enjoy the luscious sweet fruits of a great nectarine?
Or maybe you crave the sweet juicy plum you remember from your childhood. If so, now is the time to get started and plant your dream orchard. It isn't necessary to have a large area of land in order to enjoy the taste that only tree-ripened fruit can give. Consider planting three (a nectarine, peach and plum) in the same hole. Simply dig a hole that is large enough to accommodate three root balls. Place the trees in the hole so that the root balls touch in a triangular pattern. Lean the trees out away from each other so the tops have a bit more room. Now with a little water, fertilizer and patience, you will be enjoying three types of fruit in the space that one tree would normally take. Citrus trees can be planted this way as well. The combinations are endless. So make out that wish list and get planting.

Endless Summer
Exposure	Soil	Water	Flowers	Height
Shade to Filtered Sun	Tolerates Most Soils	Keep Moist	Blue in Acid Soil, Pink in Alkaline-Soil	3' to 5' Tall & 3' to 5' Wide
Hydrangea Endless Summer was selected by Bailey's Nursery in 1983. It is just now being introduced in wide distribution. This is the first hydrangea to bloom on both old wood and new wood. What this means is that the early flowers develop from last year's growth. This plant continues to bloom on the current year’s growth as well. This allows an almost continuous bloom from late spring till fall. Like most hydrangeas, you can choose the flower color. If you prefer the luminous blue coloration, apply aluminum sulfate in the spring. This acidifies the soil and provides the necessary aluminum to make the flowers blue. If you prefer the pink variation, apply lime. However, most soils in the West are sufficiently alkaline to achieve great pink flowers with little other effort. Plant the Endless Summer Hydrangea in the shade in a spot that has plenty of room for bloom. Unlike other hydrangeas, you can control the size of this great selection and still have a great display of flowers. This is definitely one to try in your yard.

Crape Myrtle
	Crape Myrtle; Lagerstroemia sp …Sunny and warm is the forecast during the next several months. While some plants grow weary and stressed when high temperatures persist, Crape Myrtles (yes, this is the correct spelling) thrive under these conditions making them valuable landscape plants!
Whether trained as standard or multi-trunked, crape myrtles make beautiful specimens or accents in the garden. Showy, crinkled flowers begin in mid to late June and last throughout the summer. Deadhead to prolong bloom into October and Early November. As the first bloom begins to fade, simply give the plant a hair cut and shear off the bloom spikes. You will find the tree will push new growth within 3 to 4 weeks and yield a new spectacular bloom flush. We find hedge sheers work the best for fast effiefficient trimming. The spectacular bloom display ranges from reds, pinks, purples, and white. Crape Myrtles are lovely in any sunny spot where summer color is needed. For desired size and shape prune in early spring before leafing out; they bloom on new growth. In addition to the lovely bloom, Crape Myrtles also put on quite a display of fall color. Then in the winter, handsome light gray bark offers a stunning silhouette against a darkened sky. Crape Myrtles are long-lived, drought tolerant, and relatively pest free. Powdery mildew can be a problem if too much overhead moisture and not enough sunlight are provided. Be sure to spray this winter with a sulpher and oil dormant spray to control the mildew. If the infection is severe, you mamay need to treat with a fungicide such as daconil to allow great summer bloom. Plant a Crape Myrtle and ENJOY THE SHOW!

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