Yes, it is possible to enjoy nice big iris blooms in the fall. Pictured is one of my “twice blooming” iris varieties called Immortality. They bloom first thing in the spring and then again in the fall. These bloomed the entire month of September this year. The only catch is when we experience an early cold spell. Then these irises can have their buds frozen.

Speaking of fall, ours is arriving faster by the day. The trees are turning to bright fall colors in every direction. So pretty, but such a portent of things to come. We don’t really want to dwell on that, do we? It is commonly thought that cool temperatures bring on the color change, but it is actually triggered by shortening day length. Not much we can do about that.

Trees should not be pruned when the leaves are falling or when the new ones are coming on in the spring. Any other time is fine. Of course there is always an exception to the rule. This one involves spring blooming trees. These can only be pruned shortly after they bloom. Doing it later will cut off next spring’s buds.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a frost and a “killing” frost? A frost is when the temperature barely gets down to 32 degrees which will nip your tender plants. A killing frost means the temperature got down to 28 degrees or maybe lower and turned all the plants black, even the hardiest ones.

When is the right time to prune your clematis vine? That isn’t an easy question as it all depends on which of the 3 groups it’s in. These are determined by when the plant blooms:

Group 1

Bloom time: Spring

Flowers on: Old wood

When to prune: Summer

Notes: No pruning or just deadwood

Group 2

Bloom time: Early summer/repeats

Flowers on: Old and new wood

Flowers on: Fall/winter

Notes: Dead wood/cut plant to 12 inches every 3-4 years

Group 3

Bloom time: Late summer

Flowers on: New wood

Flowers on: Winter/spring

Notes: Prune hard — 6 to 12 inches; keep two sets of buds

I hope that information helps. It really is kind of confusing but they are worth the effort as there is nothing prettier than a big clematis vine in full bloom.

This is the time of year when we are “blessed” with the influx of ash aphids. They make an appearance now in order to mate, lay eggs and then (thankfully) croak. While they’re in the process, they create thick clouds of tiny flying bugs around every ash tree they can find and then leave piles of dead bodies. The only way to avoid them is to cut down that ash tree and plant something else.

Some actual Idaho laws include these: no bikes are allowed in the tennis courts, dirt may not be swept from one’s house into the street and my personal favorite: residents may not fish from a giraffe’s back. Huh?

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Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently serving as secretary for the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls. Her column appears in The Press every other Sunday from early March until late October.