Summer is here- officially not until June 21st but we sure do need the summer rains! We have seen some hot days already and very little rain. We are also in a drought situation, so the watering guidelines have changed back from two days a week to one day per week- this includes anyone on a well but not on reclaimed water. Don’t forget as we get further into summer and when the summer rains become more prevalent to shut down your irrigation systems. Most of the time we get enough rain that we don’t need to run our systems.

As the temperatures increase, this time of year is often just to be tolerated by many; however, you can still enjoy your garden and gardening by working early in the morning or later in the evening. Drink lots of water, sunscreen and bug spray!

Summer Color!

By now, if you haven’t already replaced them, your petunias and pansies that looked so great all winter and spring are succumbing to the heat. Your garden probably looks tired and uninspired! Plant some heat tolerant perennials and flowering shrubs and your flower garden will look happy again!

Vincas, zinnias, portulaca, purslane, pentas, dune sunflowers, salvias, lantanas, Mexican heather are some of the perennials that stand up to the sizzle!

Try adding in some great shrubby flowering plants to perk things up as well. Plumbago, firebush, hibiscus, thryallis, allamanda, jatropha, butterfly bushes, drift roses and knock out roses all will reward you with long lasting flower displays.

For beautiful tropical color add in copperleaf plants, crotons, Ti Plants, gingers, mandevillea, dipladenia, caladiums or birds of paradise. These will turn up the volume in any garden! Remember not to get too carried away with tropicals though as next January you may pay the price.

Keep your flowering plants happy by planting them in a mixture of potting soil and compost and fertilize with Nurserymen Bloomer 6-8-10 every two months to keep the flowers coming. Dead head your annuals and perennials periodically to keep the flowers coming.

Trees

Speaking of summer heat, it often has us looking for summer shade!  Consider creating some shade in your garden by planting Florida Maples, Oaks, Chinese Elms, Magnolias, Crape Myrtles, Bottlebrush…the list goes on!  Not only do trees add to the aesthetic value of your property, but it can also help reduce your air conditioning costs.  Allow plenty of room for the larger growing trees- well away from foundations, overhead wires, and driveways.

Crape Myrtles are popping out flowers all over the place now! There are many varieties (and colors) to choose from. Some varieties like Muskogee (Lavender) grow quite large whereas some are more compact and upright growing like Sioux (bright pink) or Tuscarora (watermelon pink). Some other popular Crape Myrtle varieties that are often available include Natchez (white), Red Rooster (red), Dynamite (Red) and Tonto (deep pink),

Always consider your location before planting any tree. Severely trimming Crape Myrtles (or any tree) is not a recommended practice. Look up before you plant!

To assist with Aphid control on Crape Myrtles, use a systemic insecticide or spray with Spinosad or Horticultural Oils. Our staff would be happy to assist if you require advice.

Butterfly & Hummingbird Gardening

Butterfly and hummingbird gardening is always a great source of interest for our customers.

Planting a butterfly garden is a great way to add color to your garden as well as attract butterflies to your yard. As luck should have it, many butterfly plants are also magnets for hummingbirds and bees. An ideal garden will offer both nectar and host plants- nectar for adults and host plants provide shelter and camouflage for larvae. It is not essential to include both, but adults tend to be attracted to areas where there are both.

Examples of nectar plants:

Firebush, Gaillardia, Dune Sunflower, Salvia, Pentas, Cuphea Candy Corn, Shrimp Plant, Lantana varieties, Firecrackers, bottlebrush, Black Eyed Susan, Firespike, Pentas, plumbago, shrimp plants. 

Firebush, Firecrackers, bottlebrush, salvia, citrus flowers, red passion vine, coral honeysuckle, shrimp plants are just some of the flowers that will attract hummingbirds.