After several periods of record-breaking high temperatures in late June and early July, I'm looking around the garden with a new appreciation for some of the tough sun and heat-loving plants. The heat waves have been something of a do-or-die test because we have been away a few times and the garden has had to rely on our watering between trips. Let's see who's still reveling in the heat.
Echinops ritro. In addition to blooming like champs, they are attracting bees to boot.
Punica granatum 'Nana' was a little sulky when it dried out, but once watered is blooming profusely.
Olea europea 'Arbequina' is making a bunch of olives. Heat lover!
I've been waiting for this Grevillea australis, planted just this spring, to express its thirst. Today I discovered the Mulch Man has been giving it a small amount of water when he waters the roses, but not much. Winner - and so fresh looking!
Arctostaphylos: Drought-tolerant: Check! Loves sun: Check! Happy camper: Check!
Given adequate water, the rosemary barrels in the driveway thrive in the heat and sun.
Lagerstroemia 'Natchez' has been getting water, because I want every one of these great white trusses to flower. The hot weather is kicking it into bloom almost a month earlier than last year.
What grows and doesn't care about water when it's hot? Cactus! This one (likely Opuntia cacanapa 'Burbank's Spineless") started as a pad from Patricia's former garden that I rooted, then it rooted itself through the pot. Good thing I wanted it where the pot sat. It's a bit nibbled, which begs the question, "Who EATS a cactus?"
This is our second try at having Ribes sanguineum in the Northwest Territory. Except for a couple of toasty leaves, it's looking pretty happy with the heat.
These Saracenia in a pot are soaking up the sun. As long as I keep them wet, they're happy.
Eriogonum compositum has weathered the heat with aplomb. It seems born to it.
Two Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy' snuggle under the Callistemon 'Woodlanders Hardy Red' and together the trio laughs at the sun. But despite the heat, Eucomis pole-evansii on the left didn't bloom this year.
With regular but modest amounts of water, this grouping of Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine', Mahonia repens and Erigeron glaucas is perfectly happy in the heat.
The orange foliage of the Vaccinium ovatum in the center tells a different story: Several of the evergreen huckleberries are crispy from the intense sun on their fresh foliage. The fine foliage of the greener leaves to the right of the burned huckleberry is more typical - and happier.
Acanthus spinosa was born to heat and sun. The turf grass to its right - not so much. We have stopped watering the grass in preparation for the patio and path project that begins in less than a month. Say buh-bye to the backyard lawn!
I'll leave you with a grouping that was made for the heat. Yucca rostrata, Yucca 'Bright Edge', Halmiocistus wintonensis 'Merrist Woods Cream', an amazing NOID heather that has adapted to the setting, and Mexican feather grass.
So bring on more heat: my plants can take it. As for me... after more than 25 years in Portland, I now have my very first air conditioner.
Echinops ritro. In addition to blooming like champs, they are attracting bees to boot.
Punica granatum 'Nana' was a little sulky when it dried out, but once watered is blooming profusely.
Olea europea 'Arbequina' is making a bunch of olives. Heat lover!
I've been waiting for this Grevillea australis, planted just this spring, to express its thirst. Today I discovered the Mulch Man has been giving it a small amount of water when he waters the roses, but not much. Winner - and so fresh looking!
Arctostaphylos: Drought-tolerant: Check! Loves sun: Check! Happy camper: Check!
Lagerstroemia 'Natchez' has been getting water, because I want every one of these great white trusses to flower. The hot weather is kicking it into bloom almost a month earlier than last year.
What grows and doesn't care about water when it's hot? Cactus! This one (likely Opuntia cacanapa 'Burbank's Spineless") started as a pad from Patricia's former garden that I rooted, then it rooted itself through the pot. Good thing I wanted it where the pot sat. It's a bit nibbled, which begs the question, "Who EATS a cactus?"
This is our second try at having Ribes sanguineum in the Northwest Territory. Except for a couple of toasty leaves, it's looking pretty happy with the heat.
These Saracenia in a pot are soaking up the sun. As long as I keep them wet, they're happy.
Eriogonum compositum has weathered the heat with aplomb. It seems born to it.
Two Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy' snuggle under the Callistemon 'Woodlanders Hardy Red' and together the trio laughs at the sun. But despite the heat, Eucomis pole-evansii on the left didn't bloom this year.
With regular but modest amounts of water, this grouping of Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine', Mahonia repens and Erigeron glaucas is perfectly happy in the heat.
The orange foliage of the Vaccinium ovatum in the center tells a different story: Several of the evergreen huckleberries are crispy from the intense sun on their fresh foliage. The fine foliage of the greener leaves to the right of the burned huckleberry is more typical - and happier.
Acanthus spinosa was born to heat and sun. The turf grass to its right - not so much. We have stopped watering the grass in preparation for the patio and path project that begins in less than a month. Say buh-bye to the backyard lawn!
I'll leave you with a grouping that was made for the heat. Yucca rostrata, Yucca 'Bright Edge', Halmiocistus wintonensis 'Merrist Woods Cream', an amazing NOID heather that has adapted to the setting, and Mexican feather grass.
Have you noticed the fragrance of Natchez Crape Myrtle? None of my brightly colored Lagerstroemias have a scent. The white has a sweet fragrance.
ReplyDeleteI went right out and checked the Crape Myrtle: a slightly sweet, slightly pungent scent is what I discerned. Thanks for the tip!
DeleteI just might have to keep our list on hand for easy reference, Jane. I'd like to make one small addition that surprised me to no end last year. Surprisingly drought tolerant are the Heucheras - as long as you keep them in the shade. They burn to a crisp in sun, but in dry shade, they are absolute troopers.Your garden is looking great, and I'm looking forward to new patio and path updates! :)
ReplyDeleteDry shade tolerant Heucheras? That's going on my list, too!
DeleteNice recount of what likes it hot hot hot. Many of my sun loving natives feel the same, they handle it like a champ, but the Vaccinium ovatum does like a bit of shade if it's in the too-hot sun, I find. My crape myrtle is also in full bloom....so early! Crazy. Great photos, thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the Crape myrtles I am starting to see in bloom all over town!
DeleteI don't know what eats cactus, but mine always have a few nibbles too. I've been doing a similar inventory around my garden too, looking for things that like both the heat and less water. We keep debating the air conditioner question.
ReplyDeleteWe don't expect to need it frequently, but our kitchen and breakfast room get the hottest, and that's also where the cats are sequestered when we're away: I feel very sorry for them!
DeleteI've been wondering the same "who eats a cactus" - I've got a holes right in the center of a couple pads. How? Why? Andrew keeps threatening to pop a colored marble into one of the right-sized holes. Congrats on the a/c, makes sleeping on those hot nights possible.
ReplyDeleteWe managed until this year, but between closing the house for travel and poor confined kitties, it's pushed us over the top.
DeleteI don't like the heat at all, but there are a lot of plants I like that love it. Still, I'm looking around my garden and mentally editting out the things I'm tired of watering and thinking of what I can put in those locations. I really like that Eriogonum compositum and the grouping in the last photo is especially gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love the buckwheat, too. For inexplicable reasons, the Mulch Man is less enchanted and wants me to move it out of the NW Territory. I'll be finding a place somewhere in the hot bed for it.
DeleteLove that Eriogonum compositum -- might have to try that here! Also surprised that Acanthus spinosa loves the heat and sun -- I thought it was more of a part-sun, don't let me bake type of plant (that needs water at all times)?
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm just lucky with the A. spinosa. It seems unfazed by sun, although there is a little filtering from the Crape Myrtle. But very little water, for sure:
DeleteSome like it hot, and if this is the face of things to come, your list is going to be invaluable. Like others, the Eriogonum stands out in this post, mostly because it is unfamiliar to me.
ReplyDeleteGood list to keep on hand. Although, I'm praying this insane weather is a fluke, rather than the new norm. Otherwise, I might be movin to the mountain to grow huckleberries and rhodies.
ReplyDeleteYou know who else loves heat? Tithonia! Just saying. Love the rosemary barrels and the Eucomis.
ReplyDeleteThis summer is the one for making up tough plant lists. Thanks for yours!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks great despite the heat. We may not like heat, but we like plants that like heat.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the AC. We never run it during the day, but on a hot night AC is the only way to get some sleep.
We had an AC unit in our bedroom that didn't work. For almost twenty years, it sat, broken and unused. Until this year. Boy what a difference cool air makes! Your heat-loving plants are beautiful. I'm really impressed with your Rosemary planters--very creative.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the heat until it hits 90 or so which it hasn't done here too many times this summer. Congrats on your new ac! Good list of heat lovers! Are we becoming the new northern California?
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely plants in your garden, despite the heat. Interesting to see how they all cope when it gets hot hot hot!
ReplyDeleteHeat actually sounds pretty inviting at the moment as here in the uk we have either travelled back in time to early spring, or forward to autumn! Cold, grey, rainy ... so depressing!