May 2015 Tips

Dear Gardening Friends,   Looks like the weather went from March to straight to July and back to November! This sure has been a challenging spring. I’m still waiting for some of them to come up although most perennials are up. The following are some tips for mid-May which has wide variations in temperature and moisture: Moving and dividing perennials from your garden is not usually a problem this time of year because the plants are used to the soil and air temperature. However due to the heat and dry weather I have stopped dividing and moving plants until we get some rain and it cools down this coming week. It’s very stressful to move plants in the intense heat..   If you have already moved perennials be sure to keep them well hydrated. They will not survive if they dry out in this heat.  Be sure to water deeply – so the soil is damp down where the roots are.   As for annuals, I’d personally wait a while before putting any out. It’s going to cool down this coming week and who knows what the night temperatures will be.  Keep newly purchased plants in a sheltered place and let them get used to the temperatures AND direct sun gradually.   You can plant cold vegetable crops like peas and lettuces. Check seed packages for directions. If you buy plants already started, check the night temperatures they can take and give them some protection if necessary.  It’s too soon to plant tender plants like Basil. Remember, be patient, we have the whole rest of May to go through before the average date for final frost.   It’s still not too late to prune some non-spring blooming shrubs and trees.  Some of my shrubs are just showing their winter damage now that the leaves are sprouting. If there are branches that aren’t getting leaves give it some time and then prune out the dead branches.   Lessons from Nature Annual Perennial and Native Plant Sale:   If you are not familiar with our plant sale, we offer a wide variety of organically grown perennials and natives for sun and shade – about 75 varieties and over 450 plants. We also have hypertufa containers, concrete birdbaths, and stepping stones which make great gifts.   Saturday, May 16th - 9 AM – 2 PM Those receiving my e-mail tips (and friends) are welcome come at 8:00 AM 170 Pine St., E. Aurora – it’s the yellow house on the corner of Pine & Lawrence, park on Lawrence.   Ellen Fultz, from Amanda’s Garden will also be here with a wonderful selection of native plants that I don’t carry. Visit her website: amandagarden.com. You can pre-order from her and she will bring your plants to my sale.   The up to date plant list (as of 5/9) is at the end of this newsletter. I’m still digging and dividing so there will be more varieties by sale time. It’s been such a late spring it’s been a slow go with digging. There are many large divisions which will look mature this year as well as plants offered for the first time. There’s something for everyone!   Note: there are other plant sales or nurseries in the area you can visit.   Garden Consultation: Now that things are finally starting to grow and show themselves, it’s a perfect time for a garden consultation. If you have any problems, concerns or just want some suggestions and advice on plant choices call or e-mail and we can set up an appointment.   Hope to see you at the sale this Saturday!     Happy Gardening! Lyn Chimera 170 Pine Street, E Aurora, NY, 14052 Lessons from Nature [email protected] 652-2432     Plant list for 2015   Shrubs:   Weigelia – Variegated Spirea – Bridal Veil   Sun:                                                                   Daylily                                                                               Phlox – lavender Siberian Iris- purple                                                          Shasta Daisy Lambs ears                                                                        Cranesbill Geranium - mini Iris – pale                                                                           ObediantPlant  Cranesbill – lavender                                                         Gooseneck                            Black-Eyed-Susan (2 varieties)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Part Sun:                            Forget-Me-Not                                                                Anemone – white & pink Brunnera                                                                       Solomon’s Seal Bachelor Button                                                             Spiderwort Columbine                                                                      Ladies Mantle Astilbe (dwarf)                                                                 Bouncing Bet                                       Astilbe – deep rose                                                          Lambs Ears Astilbe – white                                                                 St. John’s Wort Astilbe - lavendar                                                             Filipendula Corydalis – purple, white & ellow                                    Butterbur             Jacob’s Ladder –                                                             Sundrop Coral Bells –white                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Shade:                                                                             Dwarf Comfrey                                                                  Hosta – a few varieties Violet - purple                                                                   Brunnera                               Toad Lily – 2 varieties                                                       Pulmonaria – Raspberry & white European Ginger                                                               Lenten Rose Curley Ginger                                                                    Lily-of-the-Valley, pink Epimedium - pink                                                               Primrose – unusual variety    Dwarf Solomon’s seal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Natives: Evening Primrose                                                              Tall Meadow Rue Solomon’s Seal                                                                  Dwarf Solomon’s Seal Ginger                                                                                Golden Ragwort Gold Star                                                                            Geranium maculatum Viola - purple                                                                      Twinleaf Obedient Plant                                                                    Early Meadow Rue Jack-in-the-pulpit                                                                Ostrich fern Aster (white & lite blue)                                                       Wood Poppy Snakeroot                                                                            Spiderwort Fireworks Goldenrod                                                           Bloodroot Filapendula                                                                         Double Bloodroot Jacob ’s ladder                                                                    Lobelia – blue Northern Sea Oats                                                               White wood anemone Starry Solomon ’s seal                                                        Violet - white   Bulbs: Grape Hyacinth                                                                  Wood Hyacinth Snowdrops                                                                         Grecian Windflower     Herbs: Lovage                                                                                  Garlic Chives Oregano                                                                               Chives Apple mint                           Designing Your Email Creating an elegant email is simple Now that you’ve selected a template to work with, drag in content blocks to define the structure of your message. Don’t worry, you can always delete or rearrange blocks as needed. Then click “Design” to define fonts, colors, and styles. Need inspiration for your design? Here’s what other MailChimp users are doing. Copyright © 2025 Lessons from Nature, All rights reserved. You're receiving this message because you requested to receive Lessons from Nature newsletters. Our mailing address is: Lessons from Nature 37 N Union Rd Williamsville, NY 14221 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences