Daylilies: Delaware Valley Daylily Society sale and auction, Church of the Good Samaritan, 212 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli, Aug. 20, 9 a.m.-noon; auction 1 p.m. www.delawarevalleydaylily.org.
Peonies: Mid-Atlantic Peony Society sale (in conjunction with Scott Arboretum sale) Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Sept. 17, noon-4 p.m., Sept. 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. http://midatlanticpeony.org.
With the current heat and scarce rain, be strategic. Lawns are lowest priority for watering (they will green up as the nights lengthen and cool). Things planted this season, shallow-rooted plants, container plants, and raised beds need the most attention. Water as soon as you get up (to avoid loss to instant evaporation), and do so deeply every third or fourth day. To ease your water bill, put a bucket or two in the shower and the kitchen sink to save water that would go down the drain. Soapy water is fine for plants.
Since bearded iris are quasi-dormant in July, now is the ideal time to divide them. Lift entire clumps, wash off soil. With a sharp knife, cut away all soft parts of rhizomes as well as the older sections of rhizome with no feeder roots. Cut into pieces with one or two fans of foliage, which should be cut with scissors to about 6 inches. Discard all debris in the trash, not the compost. Allow the cuts to callous by leaving in the sun for a day or two. If you had borers, plant in a new location, which should get full sun and have excellent drainage. Space them 15 inches apart, feeder roots going straight down, rhizomes barely covered with soil. No mulch, please.
Daylilies may be divided when they finish blooming. A sharp spade makes quick work of a clump, but lifting it, washing well, and teasing the individual crowns apart results in much more to replant and share.
