THE MANAGED WILD · New England Garden Works

THE MANAGED WILD

Vol. 1 | Mid-July in the New England Garden

THE WEEKLY DISPATCH

The humidity finally broke this week, and the native perennials are responding. The Joe-Pye Weed is just starting to show its color, and we’re seeing a massive influx of pollinators active in the late afternoon. Right now in our gardens, the focus is on deadheading the early summer bloomers to push a second flush of growth before August sets in.

PLANT IN FOCUS: Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

• A cornerstone native that thrives in full sun and handles mid-summer drought with ease.

• Tip: Leave the spent flower heads intact heading into fall—they provide a crucial food source for goldfinches.

• Tip: If they start getting leggy or flopping over, they might be in too rich of soil; they actually prefer it a bit lean.

THE OUTLOOK: WEATHER & WATER

• Forecast: Hot and dry through Thursday, with heavy, erratic thunderstorms expected Friday evening.

• Watering Strategy: Hold off on the irrigation systems until Wednesday. If you’re hand-watering new installations or containers, do it before 9 AM to prevent fungal issues on the foliage when the humidity spikes later this week.

THE DASHBOARD

• In Bloom Right Now: Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed), Monarda (Bee Balm), Hydrangea varieties

• On The Radar: Look out for Japanese beetles—they are peaking right now. If you see any, please let me know.

• The Plant Parenthood Focus: This week, our crews are focused on structural summer pruning for woody shrubs and managing aggressive weed growth in the beds.

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THE INSPIRATION

“For me, garden design isn’t just about plants, it is about emotion, atmosphere, a sense of contemplation.”

- Piet Oudolf

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THE MANAGED WILD