ARTICLES TO READ

Growing Flowers 101 If you'd like a low-maintenance flower garden, your most important work will be done with pencil, paper, and some reference materials. Colorado Potato Beetle The Colorado potato beetle is a plump yellow beetle with black stripes over its wings and black spots just behind its head. Redbuds for Small Gardens Dwarf and weeping ornamental trees are hot. With yard sizes of new homes getting smaller, homeowners are looking for attractive trees that will fit in small spaces. Breeders have responded by creating many dwarf and weeping versions of popular flowering trees. Redbuds (Cercis) are the latest tree to undergo this attention. The ?Covey? redbud (Cercis canadensis ?Covey?) produces bright purplish pink flowers in early spring. The tree has an umbrella form so when in bloom it looks like a cascade of color. It?s hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. Another small redbud is the ?Ace of Hearts? (Cercis canadensis ?Ace of Hearts?). Featuring the same purplish pink flowers, this variety has small, heart-shaped leaves that are spaced close together, giving the tree a bushy appearance. It?s hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. Both redbuds grow less than 10 feet tall and wide at maturity, can be grown in full sun or part shade, and have yellow fall foliage color. Getting Started With Garden Perennials You don't need to be an expert gardener to grow perennials. Many types of perennials are easy to grow and provide years of pleasure with minimal upkeep. Cutworm Several kinds of surface-feeding caterpillars are known as cutworms, and they feast on many garden plants. Maintaining Container Gardens These simple maintenance tasks keep your patio planters and window boxes looking their best throughout the growing season and help cold-climate gardeners prepare for winter.

A Message from our friends at AHTA about their 2018 Annual Conference Planting with a Purpose: Engaging in Horticultural Therapy October 5-6, 2018, Pre-tours October 4 Sheraton Denver West Hotel | Lakewood, Colorado Immerse yourself in the foothills of the mountainous Denver, Colorado, landscape October 5th - 6th for the 2018 AHTA Annual Conference! Pre-tours are planned for October 4th and will feature an informative behind-the-scenes look at local horticultural therapy programs and gardens. Join us to connect with horticulture and therapy-focused professionals from around the world, take advantage of professional development opportunities, and engage in interactive sessions. Visit our website to view the full schedule, reserve your hotel stay at our discounted rate, and explore our robust sponsorship opportunities. We can't wait to see you in Denver this fall! If you have any questions, feel free to email the AHTA Office or call (888) 294-8527.

AWESOME NEW PHOTOS FROM THIS WEEK

Neomammillaria elegans, by Jai_Ganesha: Rose (Rosa 'Summer Song'), by cliftoncat: Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Silver Sword'), by Jillz: Totem Pole Cactus (Pachycereus schottii 'Monstrosus'), by Esperanza: Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum 'Casablanca'), by valleylynn: Shaving Brush Tree (Pseudobombax ellipticum), by RuuddeBlock: Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Shaggy Pumpkin'), by SheilaC: Landscape view by plantladylin: Landscape view by KatEnns: Landscape view by Jillz: Landscape view by carlysuko:

NOTABLE DISCUSSIONS FROM OUR FORUMS

Subject	Area	Replies
Acorns to give away	The July 2018 Not-A-Raffle-Raffle!	49
which purples make you drool?	Irises forum	43
Photo page photo mismatches	Cactus and Tender Succulents forum	43
Euphorbia mix?	Cactus and Tender Succulents forum	35
Seeking suggestions	Roses forum	34
Help! I inherited a big garden and its a mess!	Ask a Question forum	29
How many varieties of iris do you grow?	Irises forum	29
More acorns for those in need	The July 2018 Not-A-Raffle-Raffle!	25
What are the top iris on your Wish List?	Irises forum	25

THE NUMBERS FROM LAST WEEK:

956 members joined. 5,604 posts written in our forums. 1,854 photos posted to the plant database. 921 plants added to personal inventory lists.