Spring chores in summer heat

Earlier this week, just as it was starting to get really warm again, I decided I should tackle some chores I'd put off longer than I should have.  The tree-sized Auranticarpa rhombifolia shrubs (aka diamond leaf pittosporum) I'd intended to prune once the berries dried and dropped were suddenly in full flower again.  They'd also responded to the heavier-than-usual rain we received in December with major growth spurts.  I finished trimming back three of the five I inherited with the garden on Wednesday, working in the cooler hours of late afternoon to avoid the mid-day high temperatures in the mid-80sF (30C). 

I've yet to tackle the 2 street-side shrubs sitting on our side of the neighbor's driveway on the southwest corner of our property.  I'm planning to limb these 2 up at the bottom to give the succulents below more light while still providing additional shade to the plants inside my lath house.

The 2 shrubs on the northwest end of our property above the north-side neighbor's driveway were reduced in height by more than a third to give my pocket bromeliad/succulent garden additional sun.  I'm also hoping that reducing their size will cut down on leaf litter.

This last shrub is on the southeast side of our garden, again overlooking the south neighbor's driveway.  I also reduced the height of this one by about a third.

That height reduction gave me a better view of the harbor from this angle

On Tuesday, during the early morning hours, I decided to clean up the wild and woolly section of self-seeded Osteospermum on the northeast side of the garden.  I started out just deadheading spent flowers but got carried away and gave the plants the Southern California version of a "Chelsea chop" in the hope that I'll get a second flush of growth and fresh blooms.

This is what the area looked like in early March before the heat started taking its toll on the Osteospermum

I cut the plants back harder than I'd planned and thinned them out, while also trimming the ivy creeping into the area from the back slope.  Whether the Osteospermum produce another flush of growth and flowers will depend on whether or not we get another good stretch of cool weather.  If the heat continues, the Osteospermum won't rebound significantly until fall.

In the process of clearing out some ivy, I discovered a 4-foot seedling of Psoralea pinnata (aka Kool-Aid bush due to the grape Kool-Aid scent of the flowers).  If I'd found it before it got so tall and spindly, I'd have potted it up to give away.

Speaking of giveaways, I also made a start in the process of harvesting the Mandarin oranges.

This is a view of the Mandarin orange tree in early February.  Its load of fruit was even denser a month later.

My husband picked 2 bags of Mandarins for visiting family last week and I gave 2 more bags away to other visitors earlier this week.  I put this tub with more on the street yesterday; however, we've barely made a dent in harvesting the tree's fruit yet.

While this week's heat has caused some flowers to wither prematurely, it's brought others out to play.  I've made a habit of carrying my camera every time I step into the garden.  Here's a sample of the flowers that missed my mid-March Bloom Day post and, under current weather conditions, may not hold up long enough to make it to mid-April:

Top: Delphinium elatum 'Morning Light' Middle: Dutch Iris 'Mystic Beauty' and 'Eye of the Tiger' Bottom: Iris douglasiana 'Santa Lucia' and Sisyrinchium 'Devon Skies'

Cistus cobariensis 'Second Honeymoon' and Narcissus 'Geranium'

Top: Lampranthus 'Pink Kaboom' and Babiana stricta Bottom: Pimelea ferruginea 'Magenta Mist'

Yesterday, I also received 2 plant orders I hadn't remembered I'd placed.  Honestly, sometimes I wonder if I'm possessed.  Planting is on hold until this weekend, when temperatures are expected to drop dramatically.  As rain is in the forecast, currently showing a 97% probability for Monday, I hope to get almost everything, with the possible exception of some bulbs, in the ground before it arrives.  Even with predictions this strong, we don't always get the rain we're hoping for but it's best to be prepared.

I keep a running list of plants that intrigue me in stock with Annie's Annuals & Perennials.  When Annie's announced an impromptu sale to commemorate International Women's Day, I jumped onboard.  From left to right are Marrubium supinum, Beschorneria yuccoides 'Flamingo Glow', Clianthus puniceus 'Pink Flamingo', and Agapanthus 'Twister'.

In a fit of optimism back in January, following our wonderful December rainfall, I placed a bulb order with Brent & Becky's Bulbs.  I didn't recall that it included 2 more dahlia tubers (what was I thinking!) as well as Caladiums, Gladioli, and a couple of other bulb varieties.

As another week draws to an end, it seems I have plenty to keep my busy in the garden this weekend.  Frankly, these days I probably need my garden much more than it needs me.  With the world in its current state, the garden is the only thing that gets me out of bed some mornings.  I hope your garden is offering you solace as well.

All material © 2012-2022by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party