• What’s blooming: Gardenia, roses, hydrangea, Oakleaf hydrangea, clematis, spring perennials, confederate jasmine, Dogwood Kousa, privet (intolerable) and ligustrum (tolerable), annuals.

• Caladiums are easy and colorful. Use them in the shade garden in mass or in containers. Just do it.

• Knowing how to plant, where to plant and what to plant can be a daunting task. Stop wasting time and money! Take a class, read a book or hire a design professional.

• Plastic is out. As the hotter months approach, invest in a galvanized watering can. Watering cans are great to spot water a container or plant and they are an attractive addition to the garden. Buy as large a can as you can safely lift when filled with water. Spend a little more and invest in quality.

• Prune azaleas after the flowers fade. Do not shear these plants.

Prune individual limbs to keep these shrubs neat and tidy. Keep in mind that the best time to prune shrubs is after they bloom.

• Fertilize perennials with a slow-release fertilizer. Slow-release fertilizers feed the plants for an extended period of time, usually three to six months, and do not burn the roots and foliage of plants like some of the regular granular varieties.

• Humid weather often brings fungus problems to the garden. Powdery mildew and black spot disease show up on the leaves of plants. Although rarely fatal, these diseases are unsightly and weaken the plant. Use a fungicide, such as Daconil, to control fungus problems. Buy disease resistant plants whenever possible.

Contact Todd at GouldingDesignGroup@gmail.com or (478) 345-0719.