The weather man, well actually it is a weather woman on Channel 2 am TV, must be bored to death with reporting the weather. It is the same exact report every morning: "Temperatures will range from lows in the 70's to highs in the super high 90's -- and by the way -- NO RAIN. I have given up even hoping for relief from this heat and I know that the containers have surely given up all hope. As I told you in the last posting, a goodly number of containers had to be redone. As I groomed them last night I see that even the new plants are toast. I really didn't imagine they could get their roots spread out enough to collect the precious water that is given to them three days a week, but one can hope. With the intense heat from Mother Nature and the equally intense heat from the passing cars -- well, it just was a lose/lose proposition.
But I am not a woman to give up. I'll head back to the nursery and get a couple more pretties to keep the containers looking at least passably good for the next 6 weeks until I can install the fall/winter plants. Good news though!! I just received the availability from my supplier. The tried and true varieties are on the list and I think I'll stay with them for the most part. Although the creative creature in me will still seek out a few new and unusual ones. Something for folks to seek out and for me to watch and write about. Winter doesn't give many opportunities for unusual plants but maybe a new cultivar would be interesting to try. In upcoming blogs I'll tell you about some of the ones I will source so you can check them out for yourself. And I'll be sure to let you know where you can find them.
Which plants are thriving and striving? Well, it depends on which containers you are looking at. For reasons yet to be determined, the same plants are struggling in one yet bursting out of the pot in another place. The alternatheria is turning into a small shrub by Chop House but at death's door by the old Ricky D's. Watering maybe! This is a worthy plant for a solid, backdrop color in a bed. Interestingly the torenia that nearly died right after planting is now filling out and blooming. I have no answer for that, sorry. Just glad it revived itself and decided to join the party, even if it was late. It is another worthy plant that would be happy in a semi-shady garden at the edge of a bed. The newly planted crotons are doing okay so far. They do like the heat and can withstand low level watering so just maybe they will hang in there for fall. Their bright yellow, orange and green variegated leaves are perfect backgrounds for those pumpkins we will soon be buying.
I have actually spent some time in my own garden - a promise I made to myself in January - no not a resolution - those get broken before the last bubble in the champagne glass bursts. This is part of my vision for my yard - put in plants that attract birds, butterflies and bees! Yes, bees. They are an integral part of nature and need to be encouraged to visit by planting their favorite food. Remember, no bees - no food for you!! I'm telling you about my own garden because some of the treasures I have found are at the big box stores -- Lowe's and Home Depot. Lots of goodies on the 75% off racks - perennials to be nursed back to health for next year and annuals to add a bit of color in this year's beds. But get there early -- I've had near epic "hat sale" events with gals grabbing pots as fast as they can. With that said, I'm headed to Lowe's to see what else I can add to my slowly growing "Martha Stewart" garden. And as soon as I find out who her gardener is mine will look just like hers.
