We are now, (finally) into summer as Saturday was the official first day. Luckily, we have already been blessed with a lot of nice warm weather, unlike some other springs.

If you grow the common pink and white bleeding hearts, you might want to try the pure white ones. They have a much longer bloom season - at least they do for me.

Remember to get those lilacs trimmed soon. If you wait much longer and cut off the tiny buds, you'll be kicking yourself next spring. That could hurt!

Something else to cut back now are the tall asters. These will be shorter and much bushier in the fall if you do this. Cut them back a third to half way in June and again in July.

Unfortunately, many plants are prone to developing powdery mildew. It is easy to recognize ... the plant looks like it's been dusted lightly with flour. This is difficult to eradicate once it has started. The best way to deal with it is to spray those plants with a powdery mildew preventive before you see it developing.

We are blessed this spring to have a pair of mourning doves nesting in our front yard blue spruce tree. They spend a lot of time in the back yard where they walk here and there finding things to eat. These birds are ground feeders, but enjoy eating birdseed if it's spread on the ground. When not eating, they're up in the trees where you can hear them cooing.

If you enjoy gladiola flowers, be sure to get the bulbs into the ground soon. They take about 60 days to bloom. To enjoy a longer bloom period, don't plant them all at once. Plant a second batch two weeks after the first one.

Now that the annuals are off and growing, be consistent with deadheading (for the novice, that means to clip off each spent blossom). Be especially careful with petunias. If you just pull off the old flower, you don't get the little seed capsule.

Always clip behind the calyx ... that tiny set of five leaves just at the base of the flower.

As you all know, June is the most popular month for weddings. The following is a list of the top 10 wedding flowers:

1. Rose

2. Tulip

3. Calla lily

4. Lily of the valley

5. Hydrangea

6. Peony

7. Ranunculus

8. Stephanotis

9. Sweet pea

10. Gardenia

Here's some good advice: Whenever you get the urge to clean house, lie down until it passes.

Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. Since then, she has always kept a garden of some sort, growing everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and house plants. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently secretary for the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls.