June 19 , 2008
From the producer: 6/21/08
Today I feel like the “ roving reporter . ” This is what smoke looks like when you edit out it too brusk in marathon heating .
Mine is hanging in there , since we keep it grandiloquent , and let the clippings devolve where they may , our free way to fertilize .
Over the years , I ’ve pare away the lawn by 70 % or so , but some remain . Since I do n’t give it special tending or any more water than the perennials , it ’s the low-down maintenance part of my garden . And I really ca n’t handle any more plant right now ! Hardscape or gravel path come with their own set of duties , while the grass tidily absorb leaf bedding material and seeds that come down its way . And you ca n’t beat it for play ballock withChester the cocker spaniel !
With these record hot days , I ’m happy for the Artemesia ‘ Powis Castle ’ and white-hot plumbago in front . They make me feel coolheaded just to see them . The plumbago will go into full golf stroke in the next few months , when it ’s a cloud of white , even in August . Since I moved the blues , they ’re just coming on , but soon they ’ll commix with the Edward White to refreshen the most scalding of Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
The purple train lantana that frames this layer will soon bring together them in businesslike . Beyond , the daylilies are upstaged for the second , but they do n’t mind , since they have it off they ’ll get the star character next spring .
In the seam conduct to former photinia - ville , the Barbados cherry is ready to eat , though typically we try one and go forth the quietus for the birds . This evergreen plant bush / modest tree tolerates drouth and just about everything else .
Here are its blossom from a few month ago , gratuitous intellectual nourishment for the bee .
Long ago , I planted a flame acanthus ( Anisacanthus wrightii)in front of it for a double whammy of wildlife food . It flowers good in sun , but I ’ve got some now in partial shade that are hanging in . It goes abeyant in winter , and in February , I cut it to the basis . leap back up in a moment . Very drouth tolerant and I ’ve never seen an unwished-for worm on it . I carve up this one from one in back a few years ago and dug it up this outpouring to absent encroaching ruellia from its rootball . Obviously that did n’t slow it down !
you may distinguish that it ’s a bloom designed for hummingbirds .
At one front street bed , the desert willow also invites the hummingbirds to unite us . I see the first one on it this week !
This week on CTG , I give thanks a viewer who stick in me toMartha ’s Bloomersin Navasota . What a magic plaza !
Along with flora , mulch , and soil , they have a tearoom , antique shop , pottery , gifts , and adopted pets , include Martha and Bloomer . I think this one is Martha . And I had nothing to do with this cat picture ! in reality , I thankSabrina Mayfieldfrom Martha ’s for sending them .
Gay Houston , a passionate plant individual and cagey interior decorator , pull in together enticing combination that include sedum and other drouth - tolerant plants . The full tilt will be on ourweb site .
On tour , we visit Roxane Smith and Gary Aitcheson in a soothing , cooling garden they created with backbreaking workplace . They ’re very meddlesome right now , too , organizing a fabulousGarden Conservancy Open DaysTour for October 4 , so mark your calendar !
Until next week , Linda
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