Thursday, July 05, 2012

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It was not my intention when first planting my garden to make it weed and heat resistant.  I had this small space and wanted to grow so many plants that I had to layer them for successive bloom times.

Becky Shasta can become floppy after a storm or when they get as large as they have this year.  The firmness of the Knockout roses in the foreground give them some stability.  Once the Becky Shastas and Lavon Lilies are finished, they will be trimmed, lilies a small amount and shastas to the ground.  The roses will take over again and bloom until the first frost.

Red Rum is a shorter daylily in this full border.  They will be cut down when finished blooming and again the roses and heucherellas, perennial geraniums and brunnera will take over.


There are many benefits to growing plantings close together, i.e., weed control, moisture retention because the roots are shaded, support for surrounding plants on the sides and back and blooms throughout the season.

This is a mid-season blooming phlox, unlabeled last year at Home Depot.  I think it might be Peppermint Twist.  You can have phlox blooming all season if you plant varieties with different bloom times and extend them even further by deadheading.  Blue Paradise in the background is the first and last to bloom in my garden.

Laura is a shorter phlox and covers up the stems and possible brown leaves of Franz Schubert.  I always grow something in front of phlox, such as, daylilies, roses, etc.

Chicago Rosy Daylily covers the stems of Franz Schubert on the driveway side.

Bubblegum Phlox is beginning to bloom in the island bed.

Eileen Clymer Daylily blooms in front of it on one side and Lavon Lilies on the other.

Orienpet Lavon Lilies

Chicago Apache Daylily

Don Stevens Daylily

Orienpet Conca d'Or
This is wonderful mid-size lily that is striking in the front border.  When cut the stalks will be hidden by the shrubbery and and other plantings.  The lighter colored lilies do better in the heat, darker ones tend to fade in full sun

The heat has been intense, over 100 degrees with little rain but all of these plantings have weathered well with some water each day.  The hydrangeas and rhodies do not do well in the heat no matter how much you water (one rhodie lost).

Supertunia Vista Bubblegum
It was 102 degrees when I took this photo.  Lots of plants in the garden look a little weepy, not this one!

My goal is to have plants that hold up to the heat in containers and there aren't many.  However, this is one that does in baskets on my fence.  It isn't always exciting to have just petunias in a container, but it's alive and beautiful with minimal watering!

Again, not always exciting, cactus, crotons and purslane, but they love the heat and look great all summer.

Our climate is not what it used to be and slowly I am beginning to choose more appropriate plantings and using methods such as more dense planting to conserve soil moisture in times of extreme heat.  I have also learned that the larger the planter the easier it will be to maintain container plants throughout the season.  Makes sense doesn't it? 

11 comments:

Beth said...

Eileen, You are right about climate change. Not sure I like it, but it is what it is. I water once a week, other than new plantings which get watered more frequently. Your phlox and orienpets are simply lovely! I appreciate the educational message you impart with your blog posts.

Jennifer said...

Hi Eileen, I can't remember a summer as hot as this one. And it has also been super dry. I think you are right about climate changes and adapting to them. Your group of Orienpet Lavon Lilies are just stunning. I am deeply jealous!! The trumpet lilies are just beautiful too. It may be hot and dry, but your garden looks great!
I wish I had added more lilies now. Have a great weekend Eileen!

Lona said...

Hi Eileen. Girl your garden is just beautiful. I love your Lavon orienpet lilies. They are just gorgeous. My garden is fast becoming a disaster area. What started out so promising has been flattened too many times. Even the daisies. That Red Rum lily is another pretty one. I got the Chicago Apache after seeing your but it has not bloomed yet. I love the red lilies. I am glad the fierce storms have missed you. Have a wonderful weekend.

BernieH said...

It looks like you're doing so very well in adapting to the changes happening in your corner of the world. Your Lilies are just beautiful at the moment, and I love the Phlox as well. I recognise the plants in those containers and they are definite sun hardy, heat hardy things.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Beth,

I am afraid I have to water each day during this heat. Even the shrubbery looks sad.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jennier,

The lilies seem to be holding up to the heat, one more day of this.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lona,

We havve missed the severe storms so far, power out for a couple of hours yesterdday.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Bernie,

I will be using more and more heat hardy plantings for my containers in the future.

Eileen

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Eileen girl this is a truly wonderful post ! .. not only for the beautiful illustrative pictures you have taken but the narrative information is perfect !
I think we all have to start shifting our choice and manner of planting with the change of our weather.
I have been trying myself here and there .. I have multiple spots that have to be revitalized now that my garden is maturing.
I suffer from "phlox-phobia" I hate powdery mildew and got rid of so many plants that seem to draw it in the garden .. can you suggest a starter phlox that can stand up to PM ? one with fragrance ? .. I am willing to try after seeing your beauties !!
Joy : )

Sweet Home and Garden Carolina said...

Looking good, especially since we have broken just about every heat record there is. We just had the hottest 6 days in a row here in N.C., another record breaker. BTW, blogger finally decided to publish your comment on my blog. It must've been a glitch of some kind.

Karen said...

Hi Eileen, I'm in from watering and just had to see what's going on in your garden. I always learn so much from you about pruning and planting; your garden is continually stunning and well-tended.

I'm glad the Bubblegum super tunias are doing well for you, aren't they amazing? My friend who owns a greenhouse said she is getting in two new colors next season, I told her to save some for me.

Looking at the pictures you've shared, there is no evidence you've had such high temps and low moisture. As always, your garden is an oasis of beauty.