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Gardening month by month |
September should be a glorious month in the garden with the first rains falling and cooler temperatures but this year summer just doesn't want to end. The only thing which is bringing many bushes into a second period of flowering now is the shorter day. Two of these bushes are the Polygala myrtifolia var. grandiflora, and Callistemon citrinus, the Crimson Bottlebrush which grows to 3-4 meters.
The
Pomergranate (Punica granatum) is now heavily laden with its
leather skinned fruits which are first red and then slowly turn yellowish-brown
as they ripen. This tall deciduous shrub reaches a height of 2-4 meters
and can be trained as a tree . In late spring and early
summer it is full of bright red flowers. Most of them fall to the ground
but those which become pollinated slowly form the fruits. It is an undemanding
tree requiring alkaline soil, good drainage, and full sun.
A second tree which adds interest to the
garden this month is Lagerstroemia indica, the deciduous Crape
Myrtle which reaches a height of 3-4 meters and can also be grown as a large shrub. The color of its crinkly rose-hued flowers is
picked up by the Cuphea hyssopifolia growing at the base of its trunk.
Also known as False heather, Cuphea is a dainty
mounding shrublet
originating in
Mexico and Guatemala. It has 1.5 cm evergreen leaves which are crowded
upon arching stems. The tiny tubular flowers range from pink to purple to
white. It blooms continuously from early spring until late fall when it is cut
back. It is an easy plant to grow enjoying full sun and weekly
watering during the summer months.
The
Firethorn,
Pyrancantha, which I have
growing across a narrow arch along with the Bougainvillea, is now showing off its orange berries. Every
spring while I am pruning it, I plan to remove the plant from the garden because
of its prickly thorns but every fall I am grateful for its grand display of berries
which contrast nicely with its dark evergreen leaves. It is drought tolerant and
can also be trained as a shrub or small tree.
The first bulb to bloom in my garden
after the summer heat is
Amaryllis belladonna. The cluster of silvery-pink, faintly scented
trumpet flowers appear at the top of a tall stalk arising from a leafless bulb.
After flowering when the leaves appear the plant should be fed and watered.
It will produce better flowers if the bulbs are allowed multiply and
become crowded. The poisonous bulbs should be planted with the neck
at ground level and thrive on winter rain and full sun.
To gain some instant color I have planted the Madagascar Periwinkle
(Catharantus
roseus or Vinca roseus) and Pansies in the flower boxes around
the house. Last year the dwarf chrysanthemums I planted proved to be a
disappointment and I removed them.
Needless to say color is still coming from the old standby's: bougainvillea, plumbago, lantana, pelargoniums, salvia farinaceous, and buddleia. All in all, September is a satisfying month for the garden. The weeds are still under control and maintenance consists mainly of pruning vigorous growth.
Changes in the garden will have to await the first rains--maybe October????
Check out what is happening in the garden during the remainder of the year:
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Oct Nov/Dec