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Sunday, June 15, 2008

GARDEN BLOGGER'S JUNE 15th

June 15th and summer has already been with us for weeks. I'm afraid my garden is really starting to show that it can't take these temperatures day after day. My drip irrigation system is not keeping up. Please, please can we have a day below 100 degrees and some rain- but not 15 inches all at once!

The datura is looking a little ragged around the edges. I don't know the variety because I brought the seeds from friends in Dallas. We saw theirs blooming in September and it was just spectacular.

The catmint, a variety called Walker's low, seems to like the heat. In fact I am noticing that quite a few of the flowers of the moment are blue.

Like this Agapanthus.

This Salvia clevelendii. I did not grow this for its flowers but for its incredible fragrance when it rains.

It is quite apparent that this fall aster is wanting to get the year over with in a hurry.

Moving on from the blues to the oranges I must not forget the faithful Texas lantana. There are still plenty of coreopsis, blankets and cosmos but the heat is taking its toll on them too. No time to post the list.

I bought this silver leaf Gazania in the fall as a perennial. It has been wonderful. The flowers are a little small now but I am wondering if it really is a perennial. Does anyone else have this plant?

10 comments:

  1. Ooooh! I've never seen or heard of that catmint! It is quite lovely with its cool coloring yet heat-loving tendancy. I think I need some: how much sun does it like? Love that agapanthus, too! Thanks!

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  2. I'm all over that catmint and the gazania. I've never seen either one here, but I'd love to try them if they're standing up to this dreadful weather.

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  3. I feel like I've been in survival mode forever. I don't dare look forward to see July and August stretching out before me.

    I'm trying a new strategy: I'm moving some of the smaller more vulnerable perennials into pots and putting them under the patio or bringing them inside (as people up north do in the winter).

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  4. I did order the catmint from a nursery and it has done well in my garden. I cut it back right now for a fall flowering-I hope we are going to get fall this year. The gazania from the natural gardener.
    Good idea on the pots mss. I have brought in my shamrock(oxalis) and it is looking fabulous. I have lots of plants in pots and have put them in the shade under a drip spray(oxymoron!). Even my agaves in pots have been moved into the shade for a vacation from the brutal sun.
    Jenny

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  5. Hi Jenny,

    The datura may be a little stressed, but is still striking - and we all want blue flowers that can take the heat!
    I've grown gazania in both IL and TX and it was always annual for me, but with your well-drained soil and walled garden it might decide to be a permanent resident in your garden ;-]

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  6. Hi there, Jenny :-)

    Gosh it just goes to show how plants can be common across the sea and in different temps! I too have walker's low flowering its huge heart out in my Scottish garden where it isn't that hot at the moment! The bees just love it :-D

    Have a great week :-D

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  7. Hi Shirl
    I bought this plant from an Oregon nursery. Their climate is more like yours. I was attracted to the fact that it was a lower growing catmint. The first one I had was 6 hills giant and if you know Texas everything likes to grow bigger here! Soon got rid of that one.
    Jenny

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  8. It all looks great-especially that cool datura!

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  9. I hope by now you are getting a bit of relief in your garden, at least cooler temperatures. Regardless, you have some beautiful blooms putting on a good show.

    Gazania here in Indiana is definitely an annual, and does just okay.

    I had some catmint, but unfortunately, it attracted too many of the neighbor's cats, so I ripped it out. No walled garden here!

    Carol, May Dreams Gardens

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  10. I am trying to find out where I can buy the Silver leaf gazania. I am in Dallas, Texas. Can anyone help?

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