July Favorites Under The Bleaching Sun

Heat-loving Bougainvillea makes July more bearable

It's been a consistently hot July, though we on the coast have been spared the worst of the misery--inland has been far more hammered by heat.
Sun damage on the Stephanotis, but flower buds, too.

   Despite the sun bleaching everything green to a tired version of its spring beauty, a few plants still bring July joy to a gardener's heart.   Bougainvillea glows in July.  Gaillardia holds up to heat, feeds bees and butterflies, and blooms on and on.

While the Hemerocallis production has declined since their May and June peak, they still offer fresh flowers every morning.

Even the roses are having a decent July.  Last year's devestating Chili Thrips invasion has not been nearly so bad.  Some careful spraying of the unopened buds with Spinosad, after the pollinators have gone for the day, has been more effective than expected.

And the Dahlias, of course.  'Funny Face' there on the left.  Heat loving rose 'Belinda's Dream' on the right. 

A big splash of hummingbird food from Aloe 'Cynthia Gitty', while golden Aloe Megalacantha continues to send out new flower stalks.  When did it start?  Four months ago? 

Sweet small surprise, the Zephyrantes flowers have been frequent this year.  

Salvia 'Amistad' may prove to be too vigorous for this garden, but we're enjoying it before it becomes a pest.

The Lagerstroemia 'Dynamite', just beginning the show, is usually an August favorite.  But how I can I ignore it today? 

 New Lagerstroemia 'Ebony Glow' (aka 'Black Diamond® Blush™'), too.

 Foliage--must mention the Kalanchoe beharensis out front, looking happy, sprouting fat new leaves, enjoying dawn to dusk intense sun, and reflected heat from a stucco wall and the asphalt street, and not minding that a bit.   Wish I could thrive in heat as it does.  

 Many more exceptional performers for July to be found at, and via links, at Danger Garden.