Weed planting beds as necessary. Throw healthy garden clippings onto the compost pile. Deadhead rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurels, and lilacs. Continue planting trees, shrubs, ground covers, and other plants purchased in containers.
Some people maintain that a border is the exclusive domain of perennials.
There's nothing wrong with that if you happen to be a total genius. Creating a brilliant perennial border that evolves throughout the season, constantly erupting into new and carefully orchestrated blooming combinations, is a daunting task. It's the horticultural equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest, balancing the federal budget, or reading Moby Dick cover to cover. That is to say, it's not impossible, but beyond the skills of most mere mortals. Tackling the Challenge My borders are predominantly perennial, designed to produce a long sequence of interesting flowers and foliage.