Continue hoeing between plants to kill the weeds while they are still small. Continue to stake and support tall plants, such as delphiniums, which are liable to suffer from damage by wind and rain when near flowering time. Do not stake dwarf plants or those that are naturally a little floppy near the front of the bed or border; these plants look more attractive if unregimented.
  To check the growth of plants that are inclined to grow too tall, and to make the plants branch out, pinch out the tips. Plants which respond to this treatment are generally those that make a leafy clump opening into heads of flowers- like heleniums, the tall rudbeckias, solidago (golden rod), phlox, michaemas daises and other members of the daisy family.
Pinch out the tips
When the plant has grown to approximately a quarter of its expected height, and at least a month before flowering time, pinch out the leading shoots. Although it may retard flowering by a week or two, and in cold northern districts may make it undesirably late, it will not shorten the flowering period. However, if plants are producing a large number of shoots, it is better to thin out some of these shoots, so that those left on the plant become more vigorous.
Puddle young plants
If the weather is dry and only a few new kinds have been planted among established plants, use the puddling method of watering. Scrape away about 1 in. of the dry topsoil to make a low bank all round the plant or group, and fill the trough once with water, or twice if the soil is dry. When the water has soaked away, push the dry soil back with a small-toothed rake or a hoe.
  If a newly planted bed is too dry, use a sprinkler or a rose on a can or hose. Make sure that the water comes out as a fine spray and not in large drops which tend to pan the surface and may even cause erosion. It is the roots of plants that need water, so be prepared to water the ground a second or even a third time if the moisture has not penetrated deeply enough. As soon as the surface begins to dry a little, scratch over with a fine rake to restore the tilth necessary for aeration. Surface panning (the formation of a dry crust on the soil surface) is always harmful.
  Make a note of any plants that could be placed to better advantage elsewhere in the border when the time comes for re-planting.