Another Heatwave Alert

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Times published an article predicting that the most significant heatwave of the summer is expected to arrive on Wednesday and hang on through Sunday.  While a local online source still suggests that my area will top out at 86F (30C) on Thursday, it became a little harder to believe that we could be that lucky when yesterday's temperature reached 87F after the day started out with a dense morning marine layer.  I spent most of yesterday morning weeding and watering and expect to get in a little more watering this morning.

However, I haven't entirely abandoned planting activity, although I've restricted most of that to succulents. 

I filled this large terracotta container with an assortment of succulents

The mix included: 5 Aeonium davidbramwellii 'Sunburst', 2 Cotyledon pendens, one Crassula swaziensis 'Variegata', and one Kalanchoe marmorata

In addition to succulents, I've given myself permission to replant a few containers with summer annuals.

I couldn't stand looking at this barrel any longer.  The foxglove in the middle never even tried to bloom and the 2 Cuphea 'Honeybells' were overgrown.  I cut back and replanted one of the Cupheas elsewhere.

Rudbeckias are effectively annuals in my climate but I enjoy them despite their short lives in my garden

In addition to Rudbeckia 'Juliana', I included 2 'Caramel' Petunias and 2 Achillea 'Terracotta'

I've also started to replant some of the areas I cleared in late spring and earlier this summer.

A large empty space was created when we removed a massive clump of 'Blue Flame' Agaves.  After cleaning up the area, I transplanted cuttings of Senecio mandraliscae (aka blue chalk sticks)  I'm not all that fond of the Senecio as the sticks flop about after awhile but they'll serve as a filler for now.

This Agave titanota was buried below the 'Blue Flame' Agaves for years.  It isn't in the best shape but I may give it more space by centering it next to the Senecio to see how it does, at least until I come up with something I like better to fill in the remaining empty space.

I finally got around to planting some of my Aeonium arboreum and A. haworthii 'Kiwi Verde' cuttings in the back border area formerly occupied by Nassella tenuissima (Mexican feather grass), which I removed due to its combustibility.  The succulents will take time to beef up but, based on past experience, at some point I'll be complaining that they've gotten too big.  In the meantime, they'll help keep the soil from eroding if/when we get rain again.  There's still more space to fill there but I'll look for inspiration when fall temperatures allow more options.

I came across these Catharanthus 'Peppermint White' at the garden center and could resist picking up a few to fill an empty space in my front garden.  Although they are a clear violation of my "no summer planting" rule, in my defense Catharanthus had previously proven itself to be remarkably drought tolerant.  Whether it can withstand a serious heatwave is another matter. 

I hope my dahlias make it through this new heatwave unscathed!  Here are photos of the newest blooms.

I included Dahlia 'La Luna' in my Bloom Day post but it wasn't fully open.  Now it is.  The first flowers have just the palest hint of yellow.  Last year, some developed more prominent yellow streaks but I haven't seen any sign of that yet.

Dahlia 'Blue Bell' has also opened more fully since my Bloom Day post

Dahlia 'Excentric', grown from a tuber saved from last year's crop, just produced its first flower in a barrel in partial shade

This is the first flower of Dahlia 'Fairway Spur', also a holdover from last year.  It was formerly one of my favorites but it's looking a little funky and as I recall it produced some deformed blooms like this last year.  I hesitated about planting the saved tuber this year but I had an open spot so I went ahead; however, I remain concerned that whatever caused last year's deformities may be present again.

I hope you're managing any summer stressors you're facing wherever you are.

All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party