Gardening tips for iris and hydrangea maintenance

Gardening advice for maintaining perennials highlights specific care requirements for German irises and hydrangeas during the late summer months.

For German irises, dividing the plants is recommended every three to five years to prevent overcrowding and ensure vibrant flowering. The ideal time for this process is between late August and the first half of September, allowing new plants to establish roots before winter. These plants thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil and should not be planted too deeply.

Regarding hydrangeas, particularly the bigleaf variety, gardeners are advised against heavy pruning in late August. Because these varieties bloom on old wood and develop flower buds during the summer, radical cutting at this time can remove the buds intended for next season. While the plant will survive and produce foliage, it may result in significantly fewer flowers the following year.