Friday, March 25, 2022

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



18 comments:

  1. Yes, you are possessed! (Me too -- I just made a big order to Digging Dog.) I've managed to get that clianthus established in LB and it looks like it's forming buds, growing more as a climber than a shrub. And I love that beschorneria and have no idea how to keep it happy. I'd suggest placing it carefully because it seems to hate to be moved. And steady moisture -- not a dry garden plant for me. I'd have a hard time restraining myself with that bucket of oranges! Crossing fingers for rain...

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    1. Thanks for the tips about your experience growing both the Clianthus and the Beschorneria, Denise. I'll factor those into my placement of the plants.

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  2. I love the idea that your alter ego is buying plants that you don't know about!

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    1. I wonder if there's a plant-related form of dementia, Loree ;)

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  3. Such lucky friends and neighbours - I can't even imagine what a "fresh-from-the-tree" mandarin tastes like.

    There you are, cutting back on the height of all those shrubs - meanwhile, I'm tapping my watch, waiting for mine to grow enough to provide us with some much needed privacy. Limbing up trees/shrubs can make such a difference in how much light the plants underneath get. I just did that with a Linden a few weeks ago, but with a winter jacket on, lol. While I'm not a fan of doing that in sub-zero temps, I'm also a wimp about working in the heat. Anything over 75 and I'm complaining ;)

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    1. The Mandarin orange tree seems to go berserk every 2 or 3 years. This is one of those years ;)

      I did more pruning in 80+ degree temperatures this morning but had to retreat until late afternoon because sweat was pouring into my eyes. I need to add the Auranticarpa to the list for the tree service to tackle in the future. We inherited them with the garden and they've become more and more difficult to manage. The 2 bordering the street are way too big for me to do much with now - I ignored them for too long.

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  4. Ugh, 80 at this time of year is too hot. Wish I lived in your neighbourhood. Would help you dispose of all those oranges. Yum. Had a good chuckle about the unknown bulbs you ordered. Seems gardeners everywhere are the same.

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    1. It got up to 86F earlier in the week, Elaine! We're back into the 70s at last today with rain expected on Monday, though, so things are looking up, at least for a time. I've barely made a dent with the Mandarin oranges - it's time to get the telescoping fruit picker out ;)

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  5. Look forward to seeing how the Clianthus does for you, it’s a beautiful plant.

    He he to the mail order plant gremlins at your place Kris, ordering things on your behalf ;) I think most gardeners can relate. Despite currently having a broken ankle, I’ve still been trawling the AU mail order nursery catalogues. It’s taken a great deal of restraint not to hit the ‘order’ button!

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    1. I need to practice that kind of restraint a little more often, Horticat! (I did throw out one plant catalog yesterday without even opening it...) Once temperatures climb higher and stay there and all remaining hope of rain disappears, my common sense should resurface ;)

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  6. Oh, all those oranges--yum! And a new bulb order--yay!

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    1. I even got all but the Gladiolas planted ahead of the rainstorm expected to arrive tomorrow! I still have a LOT of Mandarin oranges to pick, though.

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  7. I forgot about one of my Dahlia orders Kris so I can relate-I almost placed the whole order twice. My email issues this winter was the culprit , so at least I have something to blame it one. My Annies order will arrive the day before I head to Santa Barbara. I should have just gone down there, but I never can get out of there in less than a hour or two and the weather had been so nice I just can't give up a half day of gardening.

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    1. I justify my plant orders on the contention that our cool season is the best time to plant, Kathy, although I can't claim I never buy plants during our "warm" season as well ;) Have a great trip!

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  8. I don't envy you tackling those tasks Kris in what seem to me heatwave temperatures! I would certainly be helping myself to a few mandarins if I were nearer. I had one of those forgotten all about moments when some dahlia tubers that I must have ordered in the autumn arrived last week. A most pleasant surprise 😂

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    1. To get the widest options on dahlia tubers, orders must generally be placed early, Anna - I almost always forget what I ordered in late September when the tubers don't ship until early March. I had this vague notion I'd ordered more somewhat later but, for the life of me, I couldn't recall the who, what or when of that order!

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  9. It's too hot too early. And too dry. Ugh.

    Your garden looks great, though, in spite of the unseasonable heat. I love the variety of plants in your garden. It seems I discover something new in every post.

    I got an Annie's gift card for my birthday. Time to create a shopping list!

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    1. I envy your proximity to Annie's, Gerhard. Have fun shopping - and a belated happy birthday!

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