By late summer, lots of gardeners are suffering Garden Fatigue. You work flat out for weeks, starting in April and May. I was covering plants to prevent frost damage as late as May 30 this year. That’s about 20 days past our average expected date.
June was two weeks of drought followed by two weeks of deluge. July began to recover when the heat and humidity arrived.
Now it’s August the dog days of summer. Who is happy? Some of the plants in my garden certainly are!
Ice Plant (Delosperma)
I’ve never grown these before, and the first place I planted them was too shady and too fertile. I transplanted some other plants, leaving a container of “old dirt” in the sun. Everything I moved there is supposed to dislike soil that’s too rich. Now that these have had several weeks to adjust, the ice plants are doing very well, despite being shipped, then planted twice.
Vinca and Lavender (Vinca major, Lavandula dentata)
I chose these specifically for the conditions in some new pots on the south side of the tool shed. The sun bakes this space, reflecting off the siding, and it’s hard to reach with the hose.
Turns out they are good choices for this spot.
Lantana
This plant has been happy in this upside down pot and location before, and especially this year. First, because I got it planted a month earlier than last year. Second, because I put in a watering disk that captures moisture and releases it slowly.
This container has to be watered all the time because the top is so small that rain has no hope of being enough. Lantana can handle some dryness but this one is loving the warm sun and a constant source of a drink.
Supertunia Vista Mini (Petunia hybrid)
We have been looking for a plant that likes these pots for a few years, since the petunia Raspberry Blast was taken off the market. I think Supertunia (petunias) and Superbells (calibrachoa) are it. In particular, the Pink Star and Violet Star are looking pretty good. I also put watering aids in these pots to help even out the moisture.
Elephant Ear Coffee Cups (Colocasia esculenta)
This one is starting to put out new leaves every few days. It seems very happy with the light and water it’s getting in this spot.
I suspect it also likes to be a little pot bound. It’s had plenty of time now to grow a good root system. I’ll be digging this one up when the time comes in the fall and attempt to keep it over the winter. These are supposed to get up to 5 feet tall, and I know it will by next year, if not this year.
When I go out to the garden, it’s easy to notice all the weeding and other “imperfections” that are there. The happy plants balance this, and they are helping me get my gardening mojo back.