From The Messenger, Medina County's Source for Hometown News:

*Continue to remove spent blooms on perennials
*Irrigate when less than an inch of rain, especially around large trees and overhangs
*In mid-August, apply insect control with active ingredient Diazinon to control second cycle of Japanese Beetle larvae.
*Consider planting perennials with long bloom periods to carry your garden into fall. Examples include: Purple Coneflower, Coreopsis, Veronica and Stella D’oro.
*Keep an eye out for any abnormalities on plants and try to diagnose the problem.
*Start preparing for fall patchwork on lawn at end of month.
*Renovating or designing garden now so can install in fall. Fall is best time to install plants and lawns.
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Interesting Garden Fact:
The vast majority of individuals most responsible for lawn and garden purchases are female - 73.9 percent. 

Native Plants in Landscaping

A trend becoming more and more popular in landscaping today is the use of native plants. Using native plants have many benefits. Native plants attract and support wildlife better than nonnative plants and they require less maintenance. Many native plants provide four seasonal interest (flower, fruit, fall color and bark character). When going for an informal, more natural looking landscape, native plants are an excellent choice. They also help preserve the natural native species and create biodiversity.

When creating a native landscape, there are guidelines to be considered. The design should be informal, meaning one does not want to try to use a Japanese garden theme while attempting a native, Ohio garden. The landscape should have features simulating nature itself. Use of natural boulders and leaf litter as mulch are some of the things that can be used to give a natural look. Avoid any abrupt transitions because in nature, everything is gradual. Also, plant in odd numbers. Use one, three, five or seven of any type of plant. The most important design consideration is the landscape has to be in tune with the surroundings and space it’s confined to.

Native Plants for Ohio Gardening 
Trees and Shrubs
Bayberry
Fragrant Sumac
White Fringetree
Cranberry Viburnum
Serviceberry
Redbud
Cinquefoil
Winterberry
Common Witch-Hazel

Perennials
Butterfly-weed
Purple Coneflower
Purple Gayfeather
Beebalm
Wild False Indigo
Columbine
Beards Tongue
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The above articles were written by John Dileo, an area horticulturist and nature writer for The Messenger.