This deck is completely exposed to cars and walkers. A shade tree & several shrubs would cool and screen this area.

When doing landscaping projects on your own, avoid these all-too-common landscape situations.

There is no screening for patio/deck. Perhaps it's a question of budget, not knowing, or not caring, but I don't understand why homeowners want their entertaining or dining habits on display for the neighbors or passing cars to see. If cost is a concern, plant shrubs, such as viburnum, lilac, dogwood, burning bush, or false spirea, that grow tall and are less expensive than trees. Save money by buying trees and evergreens in smaller containers. The smaller tree will have less transplant shock and within 3-5 years will be about the same size as a B & B or spaded tree or evergreen. If space is a concern, there are a number of evergreen and shade trees, as well as shrubs that have a narrower, columnar shape.

Plant beds are too small or too shallow. Too often front and back plant beds around the house are too shallow. A rule of thumb to follow is these beds should be half as deep as the height of the home. And if you have the space, kick those sideyard beds out 2 or 3 feet. I've encountered homes that are two or three stories tall and the side yard has a 2 ½ foot wide bed -that's a lot of wall space to break up and not much space to plant taller and wider plants. Check the size of garden beds placed in the yard. Too often they are created too small to the size of the yard.

Homeowner has the one of everything syndrome. The bed becomes too busy with so many different plants. Too many plants don't create unity or harmony.  To avoid this try these two steps: edit, edit, edit and plant in mass. Create a list of the plants you like and then slash the list in half. Plant more than one plant (plant in odd numbers up to 10) together. Your eye will have a place to rest and eventually you'll run out of space to plant more.

Built with good intentions to cover up exposed roots, this raised bed, besides being unstable, will slowly kill the maple.

Installing raised beds around established trees. Only do this if you want to slowly kill the tree. When you add soil to the bed, even if it's 2 - 6 inches, you've begun suffocating the roots. In addition, you've created a scenario for stem girdling roots to grow. Plus, the soil against the trunk could bring trunk rot. A tree under stress is a magnet for disease and pests. A healthy tree is planted with its root flair visible.

'Pinky Winky' hydrangea boasts large, two-tone flower heads.

It's a rebirth for hydrangeas, as so many new varieties have been introduced to consumers over the last couple of years. There are 3 species that are routinely grown in our northern climate: H. arborescens, like 'Annabelle', H. macrophylla, like the Endless Summer series, and H. paniculata, which carries the 'PeeGee' variety. Unfortunately, the oakleaf hydrangeas are difficult to grow in zone 4.

Try 'BellaAnna' as a substitute for 'Annabelle'. 'BellaAnna' will act a lot like 'Annabelle', but will bloom pink. Other exciting additions include 'Incrediball' and 'Invincibelle Spirit'. 'Incrediball' is an improved 'Annabelle' that won't flop and 'Invincibelle Spirit' blooms pink from mid-summer until the first frost.

New paniculata varieties include 'Pinky Winky', 'Little Lime', 'Quick Fire', 'The Swan', and 'Vanilla Strawberry'. 'Little Lime' is a smaller version of 'Limelight', growing to 3 - 4' tall. 'Pinky Winky' is a direct descendant of 'Pink Diamond' and boasts large, two-toned flower heads that are bright white at the tip and turn a deep pink at the base as the blooms age. 'Pinky Winky' will grow 6 to 8' tall and wide and prefers partial sun and is deer resistant.

You'll find newer H. macrophylla varieties as 'Red Sensation', 'Blushing Bride', Endless Summer 'Twist-n-Shout', and the Let's Dance series of 'Moonlight' and 'Starlight'. 'Twist-n-Shout' has pink to periwinkle blooms on new and old wood which allows it to rebloom all summer long. The dark green foliage also turns burgundy-red in the fall. The Let's Dance series also blooms on old and new wood and blooms pink in native soils. Their size is smaller than 'Twist-n-Shout'.

General hydrangea care tips include:

• Most hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade in warm, summer months.
• Cover hydrangeas with leaves or mulch for winter protection during the plant's younger years.
• Most hydrangeas are slow to emerge in the spring, so be patient to declare it dead when you don't see any growth.
• Feed them in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer.

For More Information:

Drying Hydrangeas

Understanding Flower Color Changes

To Do List for July

1. Fertilize roses.

2. Raise the mower blade to 3". Taller grass shades and cools the roots and will delay browning. 

3. Avoid transplanting and planting, if possible, until cooler temperatures come. The heat and wind can easily stress a plant.

4. Stop pinching mums by July 4th so flower buds can develop. 

5. Don't transport firewood to the cabin or campsite or vice versa. Help slow the spread of EAB.

6. Enjoy a glass of lemonade on the patio or deck.

Helpful Links & More Info

Recycle Holiday Lights

Online Garden Journal

U of MN Extension