It's hot! Maybe not Texas "death-star" hot but hot. Our temperatures soared during the middle of last week and reached 103F (39.4C) yesterday. We're hovering around 100F now. Even
Agave 'Jaws'appears to have a sunburn.
Some plants have a built-in program to handle the hot and dry conditions.
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| Aeoniums curl up and turn a bronze to red color as heat intensifies |
I used my stored rainwater to give selected plants and extra drink early this morning but some plants are still suffering. However, as it's Foliage Follow-up Day, I thought it was a good time to give a nod to the plants that are taking the heat in stride.
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| My established Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' are doing well this summer, although the smaller, more recently planted, specimens are struggling |
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| Agonis flexuosa 'Nana' and Carex testacea don't seem to even notice the heat |
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| Callistemon 'Cane's Hybrid', planted in mid-March to replace a tree removed to accommodate a neighbor's issue with her view of the harbor, is thriving despite very little attention |
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| Echium fastuosum 'Star of Madeira' has formed a good-sized mound in the front garden |
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| Festuca rubra 'Patrick's Point', planted in late November, looks great |
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| Phormium 'Maori Queen' and Lomandra longifolia 'Breeze', also planted in late November, seem to appreciate a little shade |
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| Yucca 'Bright Star' is SLOWLY gaining some height in the back garden |
The
Leucadendrons as a group are standouts.
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| I'm really happy with Leucadendron salignum 'Chief', which has occupied space in my dry garden since January 2013 |
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| Leucadendron 'Pisa' has gained size dramatically since I moved it from a pot into a new bed in the backyard garden early last November |
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| Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset' is my newest purchase in this genus, planted in the backyard border in March |
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| Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder' remains my favorite in this genus. The one on the left was planted from a 1-gallon pot in November while the one on the right moved in with us almost 5 years ago, going from a pot into the ground. |
There are other plants worthy of recognition for their heat hardiness but, frankly, I couldn't stand being out in the heat to take more photos this afternoon. To find other foliage stand-outs,
visit Pam at Digging, the host of this monthly foliage celebration.
All material
© 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
