Here’s what’s going on in the garden today.

Resume post-bloom feeding. Use balanced acidic feed.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

No prior Fertilize

Continue at 50% strength.

• Copper Beech 1

No prior Fertilize

Monthly balanced feed.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

Last Fertilize: 3 years ago

Regular low-nitrogen feeding continues.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

No prior Fertilize

Switch to lower nitrogen or organic fertilizer.

• Ginkgo biloba 1

No prior Fertilize

Feed bi-weekly to monthly with diluted organic or cactus fertilizer during active growth.

• Dwarf Jade 1

No prior Fertilize

Switch to lower nitrogen or phosphorus-heavy formula.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

No prior Fertilize

Light feeding continues. Avoid high nitrogen.

• Blue Star Juniper 1

No prior Fertilize

Shift to high-nitrogen fertilizer if in development phase.

• Juniper Kishu 1
• Juniper Kishu 2
• Juniper Kishu 3
• Juniper Kishu 4

No prior Fertilize

Shift to higher phosphorus if aiming for root strength.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

No prior Fertilize

Use balanced fertilizer monthly.

• Japanese Larch 1

No prior Fertilize

Resume feeding post-flower. High potassium to support branching.

• Lilac Sensation 1

No prior Fertilize

Continue balanced feed every 2 weeks.

• Big Leaf Maple 2

No prior Fertilize

Continue balanced feed every 2 weeks.

• Japanese Maple 1
• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

No prior Fertilize

Low-nitrogen or potassium-heavy fertilizer to promote lignification.

• Kermes Oak 1

Last Fertilize: 3 years ago

Switch to lower nitrogen mix.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3

No prior Fertilize

Shift to low-nitrogen, high-potassium feed every 2-3 weeks.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Last Fertilize: 3 years ago

Reduce nitrogen, continue balanced or low-nitrogen feeding.

• Engelmann Spruce 1

No prior Fertilize

Resume feeding monthly with lower nitrogen.

• Japanese Yew 1

No prior Fertilize

Avoid.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

No prior Repot

Avoid repotting now.

• Japanese Larch 1

Last Repot: 1 year ago

Refine structure. Pinch back vigorous growth.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Last Prune: 3 years ago

Maintenance pinching only.

• Copper Beech 1

Last Prune: 2 months ago

Prune to maintain silhouette.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

Last Prune: 1 year ago

Leaf and shoot pruning to encourage ramification.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

No prior Prune

Leaf thinning or partial defoliation only if overly dense.

• Ginkgo biloba 1

Last Prune: 10 months ago

Trim back long shoots; pinch to encourage branching.

• Dwarf Jade 1

No prior Prune

Minor pinch pruning or removal of coarse growth.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

No prior Prune

Only light tip pinching. Avoid structural work.

• Blue Star Juniper 1

No prior Prune

Avoid heavy pruning; pinch to manage growth.

• Juniper Kishu 1
• Juniper Kishu 2
• Juniper Kishu 3
• Juniper Kishu 4

Last Prune: 10 months ago

Only light tip pruning. Avoid stress during heat.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

No prior Prune

Light trim to maintain silhouette.

• Japanese Larch 1

Last Prune: 10 months ago

Refine shape. Remove unwanted shoots.

• Lilac Sensation 1

No prior Prune

If leaf size becomes excessive, consider partial defoliation.

• Big Leaf Maple 2

No prior Prune

If leaf size becomes excessive, consider partial defoliation.

• Japanese Maple 1
• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

Last Prune: 2 months ago

Avoid heavy pruning. Tip prune only. Let tree regain energy.

• Kermes Oak 1

Last Prune: 10 months ago

Light tip pruning if growth is excessive.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3

No prior Prune

Avoid major pruning; only minor cleaning of inner growth.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Last Prune: 3 years ago

Light maintenance. Do not defoliate.

• Japanese Yew 1

Last Prune: 1 year ago

Apply guy wires or light bends only if necessary.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Last Wire: 3 years ago

Adjust wires; monitor closely.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

No prior Wire

Wire secondary branches carefully.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

No prior Wire

Check for wire bite, rewire as needed.

• Dwarf Jade 1

No prior Wire

Monitor existing wire; no new wiring unless critical.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

No prior Wire

Avoid heavy wiring now. Monitor for biting wire marks.

• Blue Star Juniper 1

No prior Wire

Check wire tension weekly as growth surges.

• Juniper Kishu 1
• Juniper Kishu 2
• Juniper Kishu 3
• Juniper Kishu 4

Last Wire: 1 year ago

Remove or adjust old wires to prevent scarring.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

No prior Wire

Avoid new wire work in high heat.

• Japanese Larch 1

No prior Wire

Minor wiring for refinement before tissue hardens.

• Big Leaf Maple 2

No prior Wire

Minor wiring for refinement before tissue hardens.

• Japanese Maple 1
• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

No prior Wire

Do not wire unless necessary. Heat increases cambium sensitivity.

• Kermes Oak 1

No prior Wire

Remove wires that are biting in.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3

No prior Wire

Remove wire if biting occurs; otherwise check stability.

• Engelmann Spruce 1

No prior Wire

Wiring possible but less ideal as wood stiffens.

• Japanese Yew 1

No prior Wire

Partial defoliation possible to reduce leaf size.

• Copper Beech 1

Last Leaf Prune: 11 months ago

Partial defoliation possible for refinement.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

No prior Leaf Prune

Not appropriate for conifers.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

No prior Leaf Prune

Partial defoliation after first flush can reduce leaf size.

• Big Leaf Maple 2

No prior Leaf Prune

Partial defoliation after first flush can reduce leaf size.

• Japanese Maple 1
• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

No prior Leaf Prune

Partial defoliation may be done to balance vigor, not full.

• Kermes Oak 1

No prior Leaf Prune

Pinch growing shoots if internodes stretch.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Trim elongated shoots.

• Copper Beech 1

Pinch to maintain silhouette.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Selective pinching of runners.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

Minimal intervention. Let tips elongate slightly before pinching.

• Blue Star Juniper 1

Pinch to maintain interior growth light exposure.

• Juniper Kishu 1
• Juniper Kishu 2
• Juniper Kishu 3
• Juniper Kishu 4

Monitor extension growth—trim if needed.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Allow buds to elongate naturally.

• Japanese Larch 1

Pinch vigorous water shoots if necessary.

• Lilac Sensation 1

Monitor for strong apical dominance; reduce as needed.

• Kermes Oak 1

Trim to two pairs of leaves per shoot if refinement desired.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3

Pinch back elongated summer shoots.

• Japanese Yew 1

High risk for lace bugs. Use neem or systemic control.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Increased risk of fungal issues; improve airflow.

• Copper Beech 1

Inspect for spider mites and leaf spot.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

High risk for mildew, aphids, and caterpillars.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Mites and rust become more active—treat preventively.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

Monitor for scale, aphids, and mites. Neem or horticultural oils if needed.

• Blue Star Juniper 1

Watch for spider mites, especially during dry spells.

• Juniper Kishu 1
• Juniper Kishu 2
• Juniper Kishu 3
• Juniper Kishu 4

High vigilance—junipers are prone to spider mites and scale now.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Aphids, spider mites, rust—check often.

• Japanese Larch 1

Watch for borers and leaf spot.

• Lilac Sensation 1

Watch for mites; treat with horticultural oil if needed.

• Big Leaf Maple 2

Watch for mites; treat with horticultural oil if needed.

• Japanese Maple 1
• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

Spider mites may become active—maintain humidity and inspect underside of leaves.

• Kermes Oak 1

High risk of fungal issues—ensure airflow.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3

Inspect weekly; treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oils if needed.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Monitor heat-stressed trees for pest buildup.

• Japanese Yew 1

Partial shade during hottest part of the day.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Move to partial shade to avoid leaf scorch.

• Copper Beech 1

Provide partial shade during hot afternoons.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

Use shade cloth if sun-scorch occurs.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Protect from afternoon sun if leaves show signs of stress.

• Ginkgo biloba 1

Provide partial shade during hottest afternoons.

• Dwarf Jade 1

Provide partial shade during heat waves.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

Provide partial shade during heat waves. Avoid midday sun.

• Blue Star Juniper 1

Provide shade during extreme heat to reduce stress.

• Juniper Kishu 1
• Juniper Kishu 2
• Juniper Kishu 3
• Juniper Kishu 4

Avoid afternoon sun; apply shade cloth in heat spikes.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Provide partial shade during heatwaves.

• Japanese Larch 1

Partial shade from midday sun prevents leaf scorch.

• Lilac Sensation 1

Provide afternoon shade during heatwaves.

• Big Leaf Maple 2

Provide afternoon shade during heatwaves.

• Japanese Maple 1
• Japanese Maple 2
• Japanese Maple 3
• Japanese Maple 4
• Japanese Maple 5
• Japanese Maple 6
• Japanese Maple 7
• Japanese Maple 8

Use 30-40% shade cloth to prevent leaf burn.

• Kermes Oak 1

Provide afternoon shade to avoid stress.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3

Provide afternoon shade to prevent needle burn.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Partial shade preferred in extreme sun to prevent needle burn.

• Engelmann Spruce 1

Provide shade cloth to prevent needle scorch.

• Japanese Yew 1

Avoid heavy cuts due to infection risk.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Seal cuts as needed to avoid sunburn on exposed wood.

• Ginkgo biloba 1

Monitor for resin bleeding from exposed cuts.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

Do not carve in heat; heal time is slower.

• Juniper Kishu 1
• Juniper Kishu 2
• Juniper Kishu 3
• Juniper Kishu 4

Avoid large cuts now—too hot for safe healing.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Watch for signs of stress in healing areas.

• Japanese Larch 1

Keep wounds clean and protected from insects.

• Kermes Oak 1

Only with shade and moisture control.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

Resume with care.

• Japanese Larch 1

Not recommended in heat due to sap and insect pressure.

• Kermes Oak 1

Safe time for carving; dry conditions help preserve features.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Avoid power tools in heat; work in cool periods.

• Japanese Yew 1

Ideal time for semi-hardwood cuttings.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Softwood cuttings possible.

• Copper Beech 1

Softwood cuttings root well now.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Softwood cuttings can be tried in high humidity.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

Semi-hardwood cuttings possible under mist.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Attempt semi-hardwood cuttings.

• Japanese Larch 1

Soft/semi-hardwood cuttings ideal now.

• Lilac Sensation 1

Air layering may begin now and continue into mid-summer.

• Kermes Oak 1

Take semi-hardwood cuttings.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3

Take semi-hardwood cuttings.

• Japanese Yew 1

Maximize growth. Feed and manage vigor.

• Satsuki Azalea 1

Focus on internode spacing.

• Copper Beech 1

Focus on refining canopy.

• Hall's Crabapple 1

Refinement stage; maintain silhouette.

• Ginkgo biloba 1

Optimize branch placement and interior growth.

• Dwarf Jade 1

Observation and refinement only.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

Refinement phase. Manage vigor and density.

• Blue Star Juniper 1

Let grow if in development; refine otherwise.

• Juniper Kishu 1
• Juniper Kishu 2
• Juniper Kishu 3
• Juniper Kishu 4

Vigorous period—allow some shoots to extend for future taper.

• Procumbens Juniper Nana 1

Encourage movement in branches with guy wires.

• Japanese Larch 1

Encourage shoot ramification.

• Lilac Sensation 1

Consolidate spring growth. Avoid stress.

• Kermes Oak 1

Focus on ramification.

• Dawn Redwood 1
• Dawn Redwood 2
• Dawn Redwood 3

Continue energy balancing and silhouette refinement.

• Colorado Blue Spruce 1
• Colorado Blue Spruce 3

Encourage compact growth. Maintain structure.

• Japanese Yew 1

Optimal period for display.

• Boxwood 1
• Boxwood 2
• Boxwood 3
• Boxwood 4
• Boxwood 5
• Boxwood 6
• Boxwood 7
• Boxwood 8
• Boxwood 9
• Boxwood 10
• Boxwood 11

Avoid full sun display—heat stress risk.

• Blue Chip Juniper 1

OK for display if healthy and not in recovery.

• Blue Star Juniper 1

Avoid peak heat displays.

• Japanese Larch 1

Avoid displaying trees under direct sun or in extreme heat.

• Kermes Oak 1