This year summer still prevails in October.  There has been no rainfall and so all new plantings are still on hold.  Salvia farinaceous was to planted out in mass to replace the marigolds throughout the garden.  This blue Salvia can withstand the summer's heat and is one of the few perennials to stay in bloom almost throughout the year.

Shades of yellow, orange, and red are seen throughout the garden.  The pyrancanthus with its orange berries grown either along an arch or against a white wall quickly attracts attention.  The Lantana hybrid with its slightly orange tinted yellow flowers contrasts nicely with the  pure yellow daisy-like flowers of the Argyranthemum.  

Elsewhere in the garden  the clusters of red and yellow tiny flowers  of  the Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) are an eye catcher. This plant is native to North America, reaches a height of 90cm and thrives in dry soil, in full sun conditions.  It had been introduced to the garden many years ago, and since then reseeds itself in moderation.  Usually acting as a magnet to aphids, this year it has remained insect free and is in all its glory.

Extensive pruning begins this month and some of the trimmings will be potted up in the greenhouse.  Especially of interest this year are:

Pittosporum. tobira  'Wheeler's Dwarf'--Forms a mound-shaped shrub spreading 3-4 feet across and reaching a height of 3 feet.  Used on a slope, it controls erosion.

Heuchera sanguinea--Coral Bells.  Originally started from seeds, this plant did incredibly well both in the ground in partial shade and in flower pots in full sun.

Ajuga reptans-- Creeping Bugle weed.  In time, this plant will completely cover the ground underneath the citrus trees.

Cotoneaster dammeri-- Bearberry cotoneaster.  It is ideal for mass planting on a moderate to large scale where it controls weed growth and erosion.  

Also in the greenhouse this month are trays sowed with:

• mixed lettuces
• Chinese Pak Choy
• Hosta.fortuneii
• Fremontia.californica
• Salvia.apiana

The lettuces are and Pak Choy are up but the other seeds are discouragingly slow to germinate.

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