Cutting back spring’s entwining Jasmine and sprawling geraniums, finding a bare spot  for a sophisticated red penstemon and Spanish lavender that I couldn’t resist, checking default sprinklers and finally hosing down the patio consumed an entire weekend. Later, sipping iced tea and surveying my endeavors, I thought the garden looked pretty good — maybe not a photo op in a horticultural garden, but personally pleasing.

Ah, but there is no rest for the gardener — not even in August!

Iris care

There is still time to dig and divide tall bearded iris rhizomes on plants three years or older, or lift and store the childlike Dutch iris bulbs in time for fall planting. Next spring they will reward you with larger and more abundant blooms.

Feed acid-loving shrubs

Camellias and azaleas will benefit from a final dose of a commercial acid plant food as they are setting buds for next season. Arching stems can by shaped and cut back. Shelter plants from drying winds and strong hot sunshine, and give a deep soaking.

Fertilize flowers

Annuals need plant food also to keep vigorously growing. A commercial blend or steer manure — a favorite in my garden, will give them that extra push to bloom.

Harvest summer vegetables

Tie up and stake heavy limbs to keep from breaking.

Plant winter veggies

It’s time to start planting cool-season vegetable seeds in flats or packs, planting out in September or October — veggies that grow underground such as potatoes, beets, carrots, radishes, turnips — good soup-making vegetables.

Chrysanthemums

Once considered fall flowers, many florist mums now bloom year around. I miss the gorgeous blooms we called “football mums” and wore to Thanksgiving Day ball games  — big, yellow flowers as large as a dessert plate. Apparently they have outgrown their presence. To promote extra large garden mums in the garden remove all but one or two buds per stem. Keep feeding plants until the buds begin to open.

Rose care

Roses always benefit from TLC and this month they are getting ready for fall blooming. Cut off faded flower heads down to the fifth leaf, remove suckers and unwanted branches. Feed monthly until the end of October this year. This is a good time to buy a package of epsom salts and sprinkle several tablespoons (depending on the size of the bush) around the roots and water into the soil. Epsom salts provides magnesium sulfate. Unfortunately our coastal fog can damage leaves. Use Funginex to control disease and pests.

Sow perennial seed

Sow seeds of your favorite perennials in peat pots or flats for planting next month.  Follow seed package instructions. Good fall choices include dianthus, gaillardia, columbine, Iceland and Oriental poppies, wallflowers, primroses, Shasta daisies, geum, coreopsis, phlox, and alyssum.

Fuchsias

For continued growth cut back lightly and pinch the tips for a second round of

blooms this fall. Sun-loving Marguerites will also benefit with a light trim and do exceptionally well in coastal areas.

Oh my, the Naked Ladies!

One of the most spectacular and hardy bulbs are Amaryllis’ belladonna or Naked Ladies. Leaves grow in spring and then go dormant in summer. Just about now clusters of rosy pink trumpet-shaped flowers shoot up on tall bare stems. I have carried bulbs from six different climate zones and their beauty never failed to excite my August gardens. Amaryllis are best planted and divided right after blooming and are easy to grow.

Alstroemeria

And old fashion perennial with azalea-like blooms in sweet shades of pink, salmon, cerise and many speckled in darker colors. Plants are relatively drought tolerant and are magnificent in July with fewer blooms this month. Garden centers may still have a few container plants and are well worth purchasing — even this late in the season. Plants have thick root stocks and will return in the spring. Long lasting cut flowers.

Agapanthus

Lily of the Nile — Evergreen perennials with clusters of sky blue and creamy white blooms have finished their yearly display. Cut off flower stems, clean up yellow base leaves. Good near pools, excellent container plants and landscape accents.