From our perspective deep in the soil, this is a time of profound rest. Our above-ground growth is gone, sacrificed back to the earth to protect our crown—the vital center from which all new life will emerge. We are not dead; we are dreaming of the sun. Our roots are still alive, storing the energy from last season. The most important thing you can do for us now is to ensure we are not waterlogged. A thick layer of mulch is our favorite blanket, protecting us from damaging freeze-thaw cycles while we sleep.
The sun’s angle changes, and its warmth begins to seep deeper into the earth. We can feel it. Tiny, nascent buds at our crown may begin to swell almost imperceptibly. We are still largely dormant, but the promise of renewal is stirring within us. Continue to let us rest. This is a precarious time where a hard freeze without snow or mulch cover can damage our awakening tissues. Your patience is a virtue we appreciate.
Now we awaken! Tiny green shoots push bravely through the cold soil, seeking the strengthening light. Our entire being is focused on photosynthesis. You can help by gently clearing away any remaining winter mulch or debris to give our new growth room to breathe and absorb the sun. If the soil is dry, a deep, gentle drink is welcome to fuel our rapid growth spurt.
We are growing with incredible speed, producing abundant foliage to support the spectacular show to come. This is when we are most hungry! A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer gives us the nutrients we crave to build strong stems and countless flower buds. We also appreciate consistent moisture as the days grow warmer and longer.
This is our moment! We burst into a profusion of daisy-like flowers, painting the garden in shades of yellow, pink, or red. Our purpose is to attract pollinators and ensure the next generation. To keep this display going, you must deadhead. Snipping off spent blooms tells us to redirect our energy from seed production into creating more glorious flowers. We reward this care with a dramatically longer bloom period.
The summer heat can be intense. While we are drought-tolerant once established, prolonged dry spells can cause us stress, leading to fewer blooms. A deep weekly watering is far better for our root system than frequent shallow sprinkles. Continue deadheading, and we will continue to flower with enthusiasm, providing vital nectar for bees and butterflies.
As the nights grow cooler, we often experience a magnificent resurgence of blooming, sometimes even more vigorous than in early summer. You can choose to let some of our last flowers go to seed. Goldfinches and other birds love our seeds, and allowing them to form provides valuable food for wildlife. This is also a good time to divide us if we have become too large, giving both old and new plants time to establish roots before winter.
Our energy wanes with the shortening days. Our flowering ceases, and our foliage may begin to brown. Please, resist the urge to cut us all the way back to the ground! Our standing stems and seed heads provide winter interest for you and crucial habitat for beneficial insects. A light cleanup is fine, but leaving most of our structure intact is best for the garden's ecosystem.
We have completed our annual cycle. Our life force has retreated back to our roots and crown, safely below the frost line. A fresh layer of mulch applied after the ground first freezes is the perfect final gift—it keeps our soil temperature consistently cold and prevents heaving. We will sleep now, gathering strength to begin the beautiful cycle anew.
