Oakleaf hydrangeas beautify any shade garden

▪ Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are blooming now. Grown in shade to part sun, this shrub has few problems. Creamy white flowers, large leaves, excellent fall color. Blooms on new growth. There are some new varieties on the market that are worth a look. Oakleaf hydrangea grows to 6-by-6 feet in time, so give it room to grow. This is a “Todd Terrific” shrub that no shade garden should be without.

▪ Keep buying annuals and perennials for color in the garden.

▪ Use a mulching mower when cutting the lawn. You will use 30 percent less fertilizer when the grass clippings are left on the lawn. Thatch problems are not created by grass clippings left on a lawn that is mowed regularly.

▪ Time to prune all spring shrubs and trees. Remember, do not shear these plants. Instead prune the branches individually to keep the plant in shape.

▪ Now is the time to pinch the tips of garden mums to keep them from flowering too early. And if they are already blooming, just enjoy. As the flowers fade, cut the plants back by half, fertilize and they will bloom again in the fall.

▪ Plant ornamental grasses for a super landscape look. Plant in a sunny location. Stay away from Pampas Grass. Instead use dwarf grasses such as dwarf purple fountain grass or muhly grass.

▪ Remember when undertaking any landscape project, start with constructing/building the hardscapes first.

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Oakleaf hydrangeas beautify any shade garden."