Can you identify this plant? It is about 36 inches tall, with sturdy, swordlike leaves. I didn’t plant it, have no idea what it is.

Thanks for your column, and your wise and reliable garden hints!

Thankfully Cindy provided a photo of the plant, showing the leaves, the extended flower stems and the flowers. I believe Cindy has Leopard Lilies (or Blackberry Lilies, once Belancandra Chinesis, but Iris Domestica, since 2015).

The six-petaled flowers are about two inches across. They are orange with red speckles and shading. Blooms appear on slender two to three-foot stems with loose spikes. While each flower lasts about a day, the flowers will bloom over a period of weeks.

The leaves are swordlike, about 18 inches tall. The plant grows in clusters and is considered a short-lived perennial. There is a small rhizome at the base and seed pods develop after the flowers fade.

You can grow Leopard Lilies in a site that gets full sun to light shade. They prefer to grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil, but will grow in poorer, dryer soil. You can extend the bloom period by deadheading the spent blooms. This will also prevent the lilies from self-seeding.

I enjoyed your article from June 25 on controlling rodents, deer, and mosquitoes — except for one thing. I wish you had not encouraged people to consider using a mosquito fogger. From what I’ve read, there is a major problem with fogging, which is that it kills all other insects it comes in contact with, including butterfly larvae, all the beneficial pollinators, etc. I’m no expert but here are some sources I’ve read lately:

https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2021/April-May/Conservation/Mosquitoes

https://colinpurrington.com/2018/09/buzz-on-mosquito-sprays/?fbclid=IwAR1tQ9PRHh7EAJFzHz9lWpSIhrU03CDgQNQsKRho1Fs3Y-DdzC356GQtVrk

As with most topics, there are multiple solutions, some good, some better and others worse.

I should have mentioned that while fogging itself is not damaging, the chemicals used can be. Most foggers use a nonselective insecticide that will kill the mosquitoes but also a great number of harmless or even helpful insects that are natural predators or pollinators. Always be aware of any chemical you use and its effect on non-targeted insects, or plants if using a nonspecific herbicide.

Another example would be grub killers. While they may solve your lawn problem with Japanese beetle grubs, they can also destroy any other grub, good or bad, in the area.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has announced that the 2023 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will return to its indoor location at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in early spring from March 4-12, 2023.

While the outdoor shows were wonderful, I am glad it is returning to the convention center, less walking and less weather dependent, and the early spring, when I need some beautiful gardens and wonderful scents.

As the hot days of summer are nearing, many plants start to look a little ratty. So, do what you can to keep the gardens weeded, the flowers deadheaded, and consider shearing back the annuals. A good haircut does wonders for those sad-looking petunias, for example.

If the weeds get ahead of you, make sure to cut off and remove the flowers before they set seed. If you don’t, thousands of weed seeds can be released into your garden — creating an even more difficult weed problem In the future.

Deadheading not only makes the garden look better, it also encourages many plants to keep blooming. So a few minutes spent snipping off the spent flowers can result in a few more weeks of beautiful flowers.

The monarda is peaking and drawing hummingbirds and plenty of insects into the garden. The hydrangeas that bloom on last year’s wood are also in full bloom, reminding me that in a week or so I should get out the pruners and do any shaping or pruning before next year’s flowers start to form.

Our micronutrient sprayed tomatoes continue to outperform the unsprayed ones but things have become a bit complicated as some of Jack’s early varieties are fruiting which throws off the calculations for now, Are they growing slower because they are using the energy to fruit or are they slower because they aren’t sprayed? Obviously, a better test would be to spray one and not the other of two identical tomatoes, but I didn’t do the planting or the spraying so I can just observe and try to notice any difference.

Sue Kittek is a freelance garden columnist, writer, and lecturer. Send questions to Garden Keeper at grdnkpr@gmail.com or mail: Garden Keeper, The Morning Call, PO Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105.

Planting: Start sowing seeds in flats for fall flowers like pansies and snapdragons or ornamental foliage plants like mustard, cabbage and kale. Plant but protect from heat: late-season cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, peas, and broccoli for late summer or early fall harvest. Sow seeds that require a cold period for germination. Poppies are one example. Asters and mums are starting to appear on the market. Start thinking about adding to your fall display, either in the garden or as part of a container display. Hold new plants until the weather cools. Gather them together to make watering easier.

Seasonal: Stake tall flowers and provide supports for vining plants.

Allow the final flush of flowers to go to seed. Many provide food for the birds and small mammals during the fall and winter.

Take cuttings of those annuals that you want to winter over.

Order asparagus, rhubarb, bulbs, flower and fruit plants, and shrubs for fall planting. Shop nurseries for end-of-season bargains or new fall arrivals. Weed often and cut off flowers of any weeds you don’t get pulled out. Deadhead flowers and trim damaged, diseased, and dead foliage to keep beds tidy and encourage reblooming. In particular, keep irises and day lilies from forming seedpods. Allow peony greens to grow until fall and then cut back. Prune summer-flowering shrubs about two weeks after flowering. Stop pinching back helenium, chrysanthemums and asters. Test soil for new beds, Retest soil in poorly performing areas or those that haven’t been tested in the last 3-5 years. Apply corn gluten based weed control in the garden and establish a schedule for reapplication, usually at four to six week intervals

Lawn: Purchase seed for fall lawn projects. Seed, overseed, dethatch and aerate lawns Sept. through mid-Oct.

Purchase broad-leaved weed control. Apply broad-leaved weed control, Sept. through mid Oct. Plan sodding projects and order sod. Install sod as the weather cools, Sept. and October. Treat for chinch bugs and sod webworms. Purchase fertilizer and, if desired, now until mid Oct. Cut as needed, based on growth not schedule, to a height of about 2 ½ to 3 inches tall. Use a sharp blade. Keep newly seeded or sodded lawns watered; supplement rain in weeks where less than an inch. Apply preemergent crabgrass control. Fill in holes and low spots in lawn. Apply corn gluten-based weed control in the garden; reapply at four to six week intervals.

Chores: Start getting plants ready to bring in. Repot those that need it and pot up those you want to winter over indoors. Harvest crops regularly, at least every other day. Check hoses; replace washers and correct leaky connections. Dump standing water and remove anything that may collect rainwater to help control mosquito populations. Check seed inventory for late-season crops and fall planting. Water any recent plantings and containers anytime we experience a week with less than an inch of rain. Fix damaged screens and garden hoses. Note damaged caulking around doors and windows. Dump standing water and remove anything that may collect rainwater to help control mosquito populations. Provide deer, rabbit and groundhog protection for vulnerable plants. Reapply taste or scent deterrents.

Clear gutters and direct rainwater runoff away from house foundations.

Tools, equipment, and supplies: Check spring equipment and supplies, repair or replace. Sharpen blades, get fresh gas, check and/or replace oil. Send mowers and tractors for tuneup or repair.

Safety: Clear lawns of debris before mowing and make sure pets, children and others are well away from the area being mown.

Store garden chemicals indoors away from pets and children. Discard outdated ones at local chemical collection events. Photograph storm damage before clearing or repairing for insurance claims and file promptly. Anytime you are outside and the temperatures are about 50°F or warmer watch for tick bites. Use an insect repellent containing Deet on the skin. Apply a permethrin product to clothing. Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, hats and long pants when working in the garden. Stay hydrated. Drink water or other non-caffeinated, nonalcoholic beverages. Even in cold weather, apply sunscreen, wear hats and limit exposure to sun. Wear closed-toe shoes and gloves; use eye protection; and use ear protection when using any loud power tools.