Garden Detective: deadly volcano mulching
The practice of volcano mulching, mounding mulch up against tree trunks, can lead to tree death. Credit: Cornell University
Mulch always should be kept at least a few inches away from trunks so that the natural flare of the trunk at the soil line is visible. It never should be mounded up against a tree. When that's done -- a horrible practice referred to as volcano mulching because of the visual effect -- the portion of the lower trunk that's covered will rot, and eventually the whole tree will die. What's worse is that some "professional" landscapers apply mulch this way, lending credibility to the practice, which is then perpetuated by trusting homeowners.
I'm sorry, but it sounds like it's only a matter of time before your tree succumbs, and you'd be better off removing it altogether to avoid a dangerous situation should the tree topple on a windy day. I wish I had better news.
Some all-season bloomers you might consider include black-eyed Susan and purple coneflowers, which start up in early July and flower straight through to fall, Knockout roses, which begin their show in spring and continue until frost, and butterfly bush, which blooms on and off all summer long. Common daylilies typically start up in July and continue through September, while the smaller, yellow 'Stella de oro' variety gets an earlier start. Consider catmint, too, which begins blooming in spring and continues intermittently through autumn.
