Here in norther New England the end of July heralds the gardens overflowing with color that far exceed the spectrum of the rainbow. After many years of clearing and planting and weeding and planting and edging and planting, my flower gardens are filled with a variety of perennials, that in my humble opinion, look as beautiful as any of the photographs that fill the catalogs now piled high in a corner of my breeze way. But, with all this of this joy, all of the oohs and aahs from those who wander up and down the meandering paths between beds, I spy the seed heads forming here and there and acknowledge, reluctantly, the time has come to cut to the chase.

July is, without a doubt, a magnificent month even during an exceptionally cool and wet summer. Here, peonies, tucked into their own little microclimate continue to unfurl. Delphiniums gracefully sway in the summer breeze. Johnny Jump Ups smile from beneath the Shasta daisies. And yet, if I do not muster the courage now, to wield my scissors and begin deadheading, there will be little left in August but my trusty sedums and, perhaps, those stubborn common mallows. The scissors works wonders with those mallows as well, for if left untouched, they will seed themselves into every bed I have tended, vegetable and flower alike, turning my gardens into a rather nondescript pink palette.

So, dear gardening friends, admire your blooms, fill your vases, tighten your presses, but also remember now is the time to start coiffing the violas, clipping back the roses, taking that one deep breath and going for it with gusto.

Many, many perennials benefit from this loving care and will gladly reward you with a second blush later in the summer, and in some cases, well into the fall. While not as glorious as the first bloom, the color will return and those surprises I find each morning will continue until that dirty word, frost, finally hits hard.

Listed below those perennials that will reward your loving hand.....

Yarrow, Baby's Breath, Stokes' Aster, Monk's Hood, Day Lilies, Virginia Spiderwort,Purple Cone Flower, Pansy (viola), Delphinium, Foxglove, Pincushion Flower (scabiosa), Pink Mallow, Lupine, Roses, Golden Marguerite, Bee Balm, Columbine, Balloon Flower, Creeping Phlox, Bellflowers,

Perennial Bachelor's Button, Tickseed (various coreopsis)

Note with roses to cut not only the spent flowers, but also down the stem just above a cluster of leaves which has at least five leaflets.

Not only will you nurture more growth but you will also prevent a particular specie from overtaking a flower bed after going to seed. Be courageous and cut. You will not be dissapointed.