LADYBUG SAYS .... AUGUST A ROUGH MONTH FOR REGIN'S GARDENERS

Can it be August so soon? Where has the summer gone? It seemed we would never get the annuals set out this spring and now the struggle is to keep them alive.

This is a difficult month in the garden because the hot, humid, dry weather is not conducive to working outside. However, there are still garden chores to be done and one must get these accomplished in early morning or late afternoon.

Hanging baskets require frequent watering since they are exposed to more wind, sun and less humidity than those growing in the garden. Extreme heat on plant leaves is most drastic, causing water loss from the leaves to increase. Some hanging baskets must be watered daily and some more than once a day. It is amazing to see the beautiful ones about town that have had TLC and are surviving the heat well.

In our area spring is short, this one was wet, and then it was quickly followed by blasts of summer heat and drouth. To realize the full potential of hardy flowers under these conditions, one needs to start the growing period during late summer and early fall.

California poppies, calendulas, gloriosa daisies, larkspur, cornflower and gailiardia can be sown now to reward you with blooms next spring. It is the time these flowers drop their seeds naturally, and they have an advantage of being there and ready to bounce forth next spring. It is possible to have a floral colorama next year by starting late this summer and fall. Study catalogs for other suggestions.

This is the time to divide iris, daylilies and Oriental poppies. In dividing iris, cut out and discard the centers which are no longer productive. Cut the tops back to 4 to 6 inches and dust new rhizomes for planting with a fungicide. In planting them into a new area work plenty of organic matter (such as your own compost) into the soil. Firm the soil around the plants so the new rhizomes are about one-third covered. Be sure to keep the soil moist for the first ten days to give the new roots an opportunity to become established.

Some authorities say to revitalize perennial flowers, they need digging every so often. How frequently a plant should be lifted and divided depends upon the type of plant, its vigor and growing conditions. Peonies, for example, can remain in the same spot for a long period of time. Some peonies have remained around old homes for a as many as 30 years, and still may be growing vigorously and flowering freely.

Some plants require more frequent division. Daylilies need replanting about every five years, shasta daisies and phlox about every three, and hardy asters and chrysanthemums about every two or three years. The latter two should be divided in the spring.

Remember always to eliminate any diseased or weak portion of the club being divided. In most plants the most vigorous shoots will be those around the outside of the clump. When replanting put them at the same depth they were growing. Avoid planting deeper, but allow for same settling of the soil.

Other perennials that may be moved this month include coreopsis, holly-hocks and achillia, columbine, painted daisy and bleeding heart.

There is a perfectly wonderful new book on perennials, published by Brooklyn Botanic gardens. Now in color, this 96-page handbook tells about long-blooming perennials, propagation and maintenance, native perennials for spring bloom, herbaceous perennials for containers and for foliage display, as well as herbs, grasses and perennial gardens to visit.

This collection of articles has been prepared by 15 different authors and can be obtained by mail for $6.95 plus $3.25 for handling from Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, 1000 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11225. It is Handbook No. 128. There are many other BBG publications and videos.

Local gardeners have reported difficulty in keeping lisianthus happy this summer. This new half-hardy perennial was introduced just a few years ago and every gardener who saw them fell in love with them because of their delicate colors and long lasting ability as a cut flower. Although they are heat tolerant and like sun, they have been a "poop-out" in our garden this year. Last year there were blooms until frost. Their flower form is much like a rose but lasts twice as long. Of the Gentian family, the 24-inch plants have waxy, silver-green foliage and produce a bounty of pink, white, purple or bicolor flowers.

Another problem flower this summer has been the Gerbera daisy. My favorite-brother-Carl, who can grow anything, has had problems keeping the Gerberas blooming. Normally they love the hot weather and are not demanding as far as growing conditions are concerned. The authorities, who have good luck with them, tell us they like lots and lots of feedings during the summer and not too much water. Their shining colors in red, rose, pink, salmon, yellow and cream, make them a bright spot in the garden and as cut flowers, they, too, have great lasting qualities.

This is the month that gives garden and landscape plants their greatest test for summer survival.

RM20

chilton resigns from

First Exchange Corp.

Donald R. Chilton has resigned as president of First Exchange Corp., parent company of several exchange banks, including Jackson Exchange Bank and First Exchange Bank of Cape Girardeau.

"I regret leaving banking and the many fine people that I have worked with over the years," he said Friday. "Banking has been an exciting and challenging business which offers a lot of opportunity.

Chilton has joined the family business, a vinyl and leather manufacturing firm headquartered in St. Louis.

"Banking has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and experience," he said. "But, I have an opportunity to go into business for myself, and to pursue other interests which would be impossible if I remained in banking."

In a letter to the corporation, announcing his decision to leave the banking field, Chilton said he had been considering the move for some time and felt it was time for a change.

"I particularly hate leaving the Cape Girardeau area," he said. "That has been my home the past 20 years."

Chilton, a native of Fredericktown, attended Southeast Missouri State University. He entered banking in 1973 as an auditor and accountant for Jackson Exchange Bank.

He was appointed executive vice president in 1978, and headed the commercial and real estate lending. In 1982, he was named president and chief executive officer of First Exchange Corp.,

First Exchange Corp. is a locally owned community bank holding company headquartered in Cape Girardeau. The corporation has banks in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Fredericktown and St. Louis.