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Garden in July |
July's garden is usually dominated by the exuberant growth of the many vines which flourish in Mediterranean climates. Unfortunately this year both Bougainvillea glabra and Bougainvillea specabilis have been severely damaged by frost and will not put on their beautiful display. The same is true of the Jasmine vine. Still many of the plants proved to withstand this year's low temperatures. These include:
Plumbago auriculata , with its light blue phlox-like flowers, is still putting on its vibrant show as well as the pelargoniums in various shades of pink, purple, and red. Lantana montevidensis in purple and white also continues to thrive during the heat and long days of July.
Solanum crispum
is an evergreen shrub which boasts blue star-like flowers with a contrasting yellow
center. It is maintained to a manageable size of
1 meter by 1 meter by being cut back almost to the ground each winter and is
seen here growing at the base of the
Buddleia davidii.
It is now time for the Agapanthus africanus, the "Blue Lady of the Nile" to send up its tall naked stalk and display its gentian blue flowers. This hardy evergreen bulbous plant has strap like leaves and, if left to multiply, will form a ground cover in time.
Color
also comes from the
half hardy annual 'Black-eyed Susan',
Rudbeckia hirta 'Marmalade',
that was sown three years ago. Every year it self-sows in a different
location. It has rich golden orange
flowers with a contrasting black cone.
Cutting back the Salvia farinacea in early June has paid off as it is now beginning its second period of flowering and contrasts beautifully with its neighbor, the light purple/pink Phlox.
The yellow repeat blooming, climbing rose will continue its display throughout the summer and into the fall.
Maintenance consists of:
- Fertilizing the perennials and vines to encourage continuous blooms. A fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in potassium and phosphate is recommended.
- Continuous weeding.
- Repeated application of mulch to discourage weeds and moisture lost. I apply grass cuttings which have dried out for one to two days.
- Pruning of the Star Jasmine.
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