I did not want to mention the H-word in this week’s column. Everyone, no doubt is tired of the temps and perhaps tired of hearing complaints about the temps. With 109 degrees in the forecast, I almost wish I was instead writing about winterizing your garden, but here we are. A “normal” summer can be challenging enough, this one can also be described using a different H word.
Summer garden care includes watering early in the AM, deep soaks are best. I like to think of it as having the plants fully prepared for the heat of the day. Watering mid-day increases water loss to evaporation and has the potential to burn some leaves if you are overhead spraying. Think magnifying glass. Watering in the evening is fine for some plants but you might increase the risk for mildew or another disease on plants like cucumbers especially if you are overhead watering. Personally, I prefer not to take the risk if I can avoid it. If you haven’t already, apply an extra layer of mulch to help keep the plants' roots a little cooler. Speaking of, if you have rock landscaping that is so popular here and have rocks all the way up to the base of your trees, shrubs, or other plants I HIGHLY suggest moving the rocks back. I challenge folks that insist on leaving them in place to hold your hand on the rocks mid-day. Not good for you, not good for your plants. There are many trees around town surrounded by landscaping rock that have scalded bark on the sun side. You paid well for those plants, protect your investment. Move your rocks back and add some mulch around the diameter.
Walking around my garden, I am seeing signs of heat that might not normally appear until late summer. Inner leaves on some trees and shrubs are turning yellow and falling off for instance. Some drop, “excess leaves” in response to lack of soil moisture. A few trees like the Hackberry, for instance, drop leaves and enter a type of summer dormancy when heat stressed. You might also see some leaf scorch happening already on leaves as well. This week I wanted to mention a few shrubs this week that really can stand up well to our heat.
Vitex- Commonly called a Chaste Tree, reportedly if you eat the very bitter berries you’ll remain chaste. If you have some space, plant this gorgeous shrub even if you have no desire to remain abstinent. They can grow to be almost lilac size and are covered in large purple blossoms mid/late summer. The fragrant flowers are a magnet to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Vitex prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Side note: the biggest one I’ve seen is right outside the door of the Churchill Arts Council. Valerie Serpa, the Arts Council Director tells me it was planted by Jerry Llamas Senior sometime around 2003.
Caryopteris- Sometimes called Bluebeards or Blue Spirea. Very similar to a Russian Sage ( both have aromatic silver foliage and purple flowers mid/late summer) but smaller and more delicate with less spreading tendencies. Also, loved by butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Looks great planted in groups by bright yellow Black-Eyed Susan or the pretty wispy stems of Gaura. Pretty pest-free and deer resistant. Tolerates some drought better with some water though.
Santolina- These are front- of- the border Mediterranean plants, sometimes referred to as Lavender cotton. I cannot recommend them highly enough. They tend to perform as an evergreen here in Fallon. Mid-summer they are covered with small yellow, button-like flowers. Do not like overwatering. So far I’ve seen a grey and green variety both look beautiful when paired with a purple flowering Salvia or blue flax. A spicy herbal scent has made them a moth deterrent. Use as a sachet in your sweater drawer. Deer proof. Easy to propagate as well, from cuttings or by layering. Used heavily in knot and moon gardens.
Drink extra water Friends, we all need it!
Comment
Comments