Russelia equisetiformis is okay with heat
Hopefully this heat wave won't be as bad as the last one. As one of the fall/winter projects, I'm pondering this area:
A space has been annoying since about a week after it was finished 20 some years ago. Prime space rendered useless. Too wide for a path, too narrow (and too hot) for a sitting or dining space, can't plant anything...why is it there? It is difficult changing a major chunk of hardscape--easier to start from scratch. Is it possible to at least to reduce the concrete area a bit? From this:
...to this? Probably not worth it.
Complete redesign design or nothing?
Conclusion: nothing. Frustration purged by going out in the heat to pull some unsatisfactory roses: the two 'Sunbelt Savannah's and 'Ducher'.
Oooh! Space for a new plant!
New rule on roses: the 'Iceberg' rule.
If the rose is not as reliable as 'Iceberg' or 'Belinda's Dream', or as productive as 'Julia Child', or as productive and fragrant as 'Firefighter', or as consistently utterly charming as 'Souvenir de la Malmaison', why am I keeping it?
'Souvenir de la Malmaison' worth keeping since 1842:
Before the heat returned, removal of the helpful but ultimately not satisfying vertical planter that hid the neighbor's cigarette-break balcony from view.
The intent was always temporary privacy, until enough growth from the Trachelium would screen out the neighbor.
Close enough. The growth should be dense by next summer:
The planter needed to be cleaned out:
Ready for a refresh. The idea is to place it where I can easily water and maintain it. There was a drip tube that sort of kept some of it watered, but not effectively, and maintenance suffered because it was not easily accessible.
Cleaned up:
Now, where to put it? Thought required. I also worked on a couple of chairs picked up off the side of the road. Solid hardwood chairs in the "southwestern" style (Kokopelli!) that was popular back in the early 1990's. I got one sanded down. The other needs to be sanded, both re-stained, and the seats reupholstered.
Pond filter needed a new handle assembly--handle snapped. That was top priority. It was easier to replace than expected.
The koi are fine. Redundant filtration systems make all the difference.One of the big-box Leucospermums planted, replacing an 'Ivory Curls' Agave that had reached the end of its ornamental life. It left an offset to replace itself.
In the shadow of 'Hercules':
Cut back six or seven of the eight or nine Cupheas.
The heat wave completely shut them down. A deep soaking and some
liquid fertilizer will get them going again until November. After:
A few plant purchases, experiments, really--Gomphrena haageana--more Gomphrenas next year? Geranium pratense 'Dark Reiter', because the foliage is pretty. I assume it will need rabbit protection.
Another two packages of "Dutch" Iris. They make March and April more joyful.
A flat of Ruschia
lineolata 'Nana'. Pure curiosity about the Ruschia which is being
hyped as a lawn-substitute. I don't want a lawn, or a lawn
substitute. Just--curious. Perhaps it would be useful edging one of the slopes. I looked for a 4" pot, but all that was available were flats. Too expensive at Rogers'. Half the price at Home Cheapo.
Not much pretty in the garden since the first heat wave. The Zephyranthes have been lovely. Thank goodness for Pentas. A Dahlia or two. A lone Zinnia. Still some Daylilys, thankfully.
Waiting out the heat wave. Relief expected Friday. Next Friday. Is your weather any good?
The chairs are a great find! Could you fill the former fountain with succulents and scatter pots around it, or would the heat sink created by the concrete make the area too hot?
ReplyDeleteWe hit 90F this afternoon but luckily it didn't stay there long. The only thing I accomplished this morning was was watering using what's left of my water ban rations. Between the heat, mildew, raccoon activity and pipe replacement prep, my cutting garden is a disaster area and I'm very tempted to just thrown in the towel and pull everything out right now. As it is, I pulled out enough mildewed zinnias to allow me to cram empty plastic flats into the raised planters in an effort to thwart the masked monsters. I saw a video on Roger's site pushing the Ruschia and thought I'd try it in some spot where I just can't get the creeping thyme to survive. I may look into that next week if it doesn't get too hot. I have a 140 bulbs on order (mostly small!) but it should be a few weeks or more before those arrive. Meanwhile, I took care of my ironing backlog.
I'd love to put a small specimen tree in the fountain, but the issue planting in the fountain is drainage--there isn't any. At one point I called a concrete guy to see if it was possible to drill some holes in the fountain, but he said not viable and I gave up. And yah, it's ferociously hot out there even in winter.
Delete140 bulbs!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow! Your springtime is going to be extra beautiful!
Those darn raccoons. And I thought rabbits were bad.
Jeez, HB, is there nothing you can't do? Pond equipment repairer, sprinkler system repairer, tree root remover, house painter, furniture refinisher. You make the rest of us look like slugs (well, me anyway). I'm estimating that your unsatisfactory area is about 20' or so from the edge of the koi pond to the back wall. My first thought was "tree(s)," for shade, because its so hot, but you probably wouldn't want those because of the litter they would drop into the pond. Other than that, I got nuthin'. Thank you for designing your site so that when I tap the picture and enlarge it for a closer view, it does't get fuzzy, it gets sharper. It really allows me to see the details, like on that Ruschia lineolata 'Nana' you're tryng out. That one has potential. Looking forward to what you come up with for your unsatisfactory space, as well as the discussions and ruminations preceeding it. Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteWell if you put it like that...I'm too tired! 😜
DeleteGood thoughts, thank you!. I measured. 10' from edge of pond to edge of fountain; fountain 6.5' wide, 8' from back edge of fountain to back wall, so yes about 25'. Looking from the pond to the fountain is ESE. Most of the light comes from the south, south west, and in summer from the west A small tree planted where the Lomandra (grasslike mound) is in the 3rd photo would provide some shade from early to late morning...another on the other side of the path could provide somewhat more if it was fairly tall (various issues for the pond). Still the issue of what to do with the space? The fountain takes up a big part of it, and the fountain has its own issues--the birds don't like it, and that's really the whole reason for a fountain.
The blog actually does that itself...maybe because the photos are stored on google? I like that feature too.
I suppose pots are not that feasible in your climate but I can see lots of them surrounding the water feature in your problem area. Or what about 2 shade trees on either side to create a shady retreat with a small table and chairs - a place to have breakfast or read?
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts, thanks. I went through several rounds of potted plants over the years--its really HOT there with so much reflected heat and 6-10 hours of sun year round. Nothing leafy potted can handle it. The cuts into the concrete would give me room for two small patio trees that would shade some of the concrete without affecting the pond, but looking into concrete cutting--the idea seems dicey. I should call a contractor to confirm or deny...
DeleteOne thought we had was turning the fountain into a table by removing the column and putting a table top on it. Then the whole issue of sitting area--the number of minutes any gardener actually sits down in their garden--hahaha!
What about popping a metal gazebo over the fountain and a big pot on either side; very mediterranean chic. Those chairs are a score!
ReplyDeleteThat is an idea. Played around with that off and on over the years. Didn't think it would do much just over the fountain....but what if the structure came out over part of the concrete as well as the fountain... solar paneled roof, to provide shade to the humans and power to the pond and fountain....that is an idea to consider more...thanks!
DeleteHi Hoover, Feeling cranky about the heat (again!!) and started to read your post, then suddenly remembered I needed to run outside to water and liquid feed some things- just did that, ha. I like your "Iceberg rule", great idea. Your fountain and pond patio area look so pretty, but I well know those spots in the garden that are never quite right. Hard to say if knocking out some concrete for more planter will satisfy, but your mock up photo looks good. Those happy koi faces make me smile. I hope your neighbor's cigarette smoke stays on their side! Hot weather for another week here, around 90 today. We call it Oktoberfest weather, as it's often close to 100 degrees for Oktoberfest weekend here in La Mesa. I think end of October will be my garden revision time. Unhappy Salvia Greggii planted in May have to go.
ReplyDeleteHad zero success with greggiis, after trying several. There were many gorgeous-gorgeous-gorgeous greggiis in Austin at the '18 Fling. I asked a skilled gardener there why--she said the rabbits there lightly and intermittently prune back the greggiis so they were always sprouting new fresh flower-producing growth. And the summer rain TX usually gets. So, gave up on greggiis, though I think hybrids of greggii might work better here.
DeleteSalvia 'Breeze' aka Heatwave 'Breeze' has been pretty good. That is microphylla x greggii.
DeleteThanks for the tips and info. The current greggiis came from Lowe's, no nursery name on the tag and have an unusually large deep pink flower. Though labelled as greggii I suspect they are some kind of hybrid. This particular full sun/sidewalk adjacent bed is hard to grow anything in, even though it's been amended repeatedly. Might be a place to try some pentas!
DeleteRegarding that hot unused patio with the fountain, I wonder what's under the pavers? If it's not very deep concrete, maybe they could be popped off and that area inside the surrounding concrete path planted, with maybe some stepping stones leading to the fountain? A project for when it cools down, of course ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's concrete slab. The pavers are only 1/4" thick, tiles, really. Cool down, yes. More heat. Nothing getting done.
DeleteI have gardened fifty years on the same property, and in just the last couple of years realized that nothing has to be permanent. Cringing, I've torn out crumbling patio, removed trees, and put in trellises. It's a shock the system, but I think you could use some of the same courage. Just tear up the pavers and get rid of the fountain, you have a pond right there, isn't the fountain overkill, especially when water is so scarce? You don't seem to have too much outside shade, maybe put in a lathehouse there and grow things like cymbidiums, etc? Isn't there something you've always wanted to try as a gardener, but never gotten around to it? Now's your chance!
ReplyDeleteThat level of change you have done is tough but refreshing, yes? I'm more reluctant because of the cost than anything else. The pavers are tiles not actually pavers, professional concrete demolition required, and careful demo, since the pond is connected to the slab.
DeleteYou are right, now's my chance, and there is always something new to try in a garden.
If you disliked the paved patio since it was finished, and its "ferociously hot out there even in winter", then it's completely of no use to you. As Sue said: rip it out. Create a shade area in its place with sitting area. Without the reflective heat from the concrete, the pond and new plants would make it cooler, and maybe finally, usable outdoor winter room.
ReplyDeletechavli
Entirely sensible! Now, if I can only be sensible...
DeleteI can't believe how much outdoor work you are doing in that heat. Others have suggested some interesting possibilities for your paved area; they all made me appreciate my shady garden more. But how I would love to grow 'Souvenir de Malmaison.' I initially got interested in gardening through historic plants and Elizabethan textiles. Old roses were a dream that never happened. I am constantly trying new ground covers. Love the look of the one you bought out of curiosity. I bought a number of new Ajuga varieties with small leaves in different color combos to mostly use as edging plants. Our weather is frustrating at the opposite end of yours: a very cool spell for September. And no rain since early in the month. I need to get out now and hit all the new plantings.
ReplyDeleteAjugas are lovely--but not ideal for the climate here. Was really appreciating the shade of the oak out front during these hot days. A shadier garden does have significant advantages. Like being bearable on a hot day.
DeleteHope you get some good rain soon, but not like Florida just got from Hurricane Ian. (Yikes!)
Love the idea of solar panels and human shading...maybe a tripartite gazebery (yep, made that up) with a cupola over the fountain extending over the walk and squares on either side -think White House- a couple of quick welds to tie them together. Shade is so important in hardscaping our climate; if it's hot there even in winter and you are reluctant to rip the concrete, maybe building more is the answer (although your audience will probably always vote for less hardscape and more plants :)).
ReplyDeleteMore plants, less hardscape has my vote, too. Thanks for your thoughts on the situation. Very true indeed that hardscape in our climate demands shade to be usuable.
DeleteI'm amazed by how much you manage to get done--and with so little effort (at least you make it look like that).
ReplyDeleteRemoving hardscape is always a tough job. In your case, it's made even more difficult by the fact that what you have is actually attractive!
Hardscape is in pretty good shape, but is so...useless!
Delete