summer – Page 5 – Fine for Friday

Reds and Oranges 24 June 2022

It is now officially summer and the hot weather is continuing. Highs in the upper 90’s (35 to 38 C) here in the American South.

Adequate hydration and avoiding the mid afternoon sun is the order of the day. I am a morning person so I do not mind getting out early. It helps to finish any outdoor work after 5 pm to avoid the searing overhead sun.

The plants are faring much better than us mortals. Today, I am offering some red and orange hues for you.

The first is this Hibiscus coccineus. This is the scarlet rosemallow also known as the Texas star although it is not found naturally in Texas. The leaves resemble cannabis It is a hardy hibiscus native to the Southeast USA. The large blooms are really striking.

This begonia is the red Dragon Wing. It has been a winner for me in window boxes. It thrives in the heat and prefers to be a little bit dry. This year I propagated all I needed from a plant that I protected over the winter.

This crocosmia is the Lucifer cultivar. It is a hardy plant in the iris family and is very reliable. It does have a tendency to muscle out wards and needs to mind its manners every year.

Dahlias can be a little fickle in the heat but I have found one successful bed that gets less afternoon sun and I have been rewarded with reliable blooming.

This rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a reliable bloomer. It does have the red throat.

This shot of my backyard shows the progress I have made in this shady area. More on that in future blogs.

We are expecting some rain over the next few days which will lower the temps soon. That will be welcome.

Happy Gardening.

Don’t forget the Propagator who is the inspiration for this blog.

Heat Wave 17 June 2022

Greetings from the sweltering Southeast USA. We have been in a heat advisory for the past few days. It is expected to continue for another week. Highs are in the upper 90’s and heat index is topping 100 every day. My plan is to limit outdoor work to early morning and just before dusk. Plenty of liquids are also in order.

The plants are flourishing regardless. They have an ample supply of water after the heavy rain of a few days ago. I am watering the newest plants from this spring.

I did do some volunteer work in the native plant area of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens so I am including a shot or two from there.

The first shot is this beautiful tall Tiger Lily. The plant identifier is calling it an iris.

This next is a Prairie Coneflower. Ratibida sp. I started these from seed a few years ago. They had a tendency to sag when in bloom but this year they are strong enough to stand tall.

The hybrid daylilies are beautiful. So many vibrant bright colors. This one stood out.

This garden cherub is shaded in the fern garden amongst the Natchez crepe myrtles. The fern is a Southern shield (Thelypteris kunthii). This stately fern is slowly covering the shaded area but it is deciduous and allows the daffodils to come through in the late winter and spring.

The blephilia is blooming again.

Thought you might enjoy this native hydrangea (Hydrangea aborescens)

Another native hydrangeas showing off is this oakleaf with the red tinted flowers of the pannicle. Hydrangea quercifolia.

It is hot this week but these floral displays are grand. Hope you are able to get out and do some gardening. Mine will be limited the next two weeks.

Don’t forget the the propagator

Summer blooms and visitors 20 May 2022

The summer heat is here this week with temps in the low 90’s. It is breezy at times which provides a bit of relief but being outdoors in the afternoons makes me weary from the heat. Garden work must be done in the mornings. It has been dry but a welcoming rain is forecast for this weekend.

The summer bloomers are appearing but there has also been some unexpected visitors.

My first picture today is morning sunrise on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. The dunes are magnificent. This shot is overlooking the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge.

Next are the “Nikko Blue” hydrangeas. They are on the shady side of the yard where they have been happy but the last two years with drought and then excessive rain there have been no blooms. This late spring though they are coming out. Joy.

Third is the astilbe. I also have these in the shady portion of the yard where they add needed color and contrast. They grow slowly but they are now coming into their own after several years.

The butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is now mature enough that it will be attracting the butterflies. As a host plant, it is a needed food source for many caterpillars including the magestic Monarch. It is a beacon in the sunny perennial bed.

This blanket flower (Gallardia) is another beacon in the sunny perennial bed. It also attracts butterflies. This one has a skipper visiting.

A surprise visitor the other morning was this guy. He had flushed two female deer and was trying to run them down. He was outclassed in speed so he took a break on the driveway and had a scratch.

Enjoy the weather. For us in the southeast USA, it is time to stay hydrated and seek shade at mid afternoon.

Happy gardening and don’t forget to look at the Propagator.