A stupefyingly hot Bloom Day here in Los Angeles. June and July were lovely, August and September the devil’s smithy. This heat wave is having the same effect on the streets as martial law, rendering them eerily quiet and empty. The garden is pretty quiet too.
Amazingly, some things have the backbone to bloom in this heat. Not me. But the summer-dormant, winter-blooming Pelargonium echinatum opened its first blooms yesterday.
And Russellia equisetiformis has leapt into bloom, even with having to face down day after day of searing afternoon sun.
Plant Delights described this salvia as making a nondescript, almost grass-like contribution all summer before blooming in fall, which sounded ideal, and this first year that assessment has been borne out. Doesn’t bulk up huge during summer but maintains a slim, barely noticeable presence until it becomes studded in blue flowers in fall. Ultimate size 3-4′ x 15-18.” Salvia reptans West Texas Form.
Passion vine Passiflora sanguinolenta is sailing through the high temps, reliably unfurling its little pink parasols.
Definitely cactus weather. Aporocactus, unfazed by the heat.
Palo verde trees, agaves and grasses scoffing at the heat at a Starbucks in downtown Los Angeles yesterday.
These last two photos taken with my iPhone.
Cor-Ten steel fountain, agaves and hesperaloe. Walking around downtown yesterday, I convinced myself that until I devise a fountain or water garden, it might be helpful in the interim to just print verbs for the movement of water on my east fence, which was just restained an even darker indigo blue. Words like brim, pour, spill, trickle, flow, rush, cascade, plunge, drip, splash, pool, eddy…
Thank you, Carol, (May Dreams Gardens) for this count-your-blessings monthly ritual, along with all the Bloom Day contributors.
I absolutely adore that Passiflora. I must find that one. Such a dainty beauty. And that salvia is such a perfect blue. wonderful! I’ve wanted a Russellia for five or six years now. I saw it for the first time at one of our IU’s, New York I think. They are pretty expensive here and I haven’t a clue how to winter it over so I’ve not taken the plunge yet. As always I really enjoy walkabouts with you to enjoy your very different gardening zone…
I probably shouldn’t say this, but I am typing this next to an open window where 68 degree air and cricket song is flowing in.
Think I’d enjoy the water park rather than a hot coffee at Starbucks. Then again, maybe you went for an iced drink. Lovely garden though! I love the words-on-the-fence idea.
I just got back from a business trip to Spokane, where I encountered a weird temp swing of high 80’s daytime and low 40’s at night.I will take that over an LA heat wave any day. The water feature issues continues to dog me too.I have plans….and by the way , that Passiflora is just the thing..I love it !
What no Alstroemera isabellana blooms? I love your Russellia, I’m pretty sure I say that every time you post a picture of it…
Beautiful…that little Salvia is just about too precious for words!
@Deanne, I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get with the passion vines. There’s some nice species that don’t get too big. This one supposedly gets to only 10 feet.
@Les, that sounds about perfect. This morning the fog horns are blowing, misty and dense fog, so I’m right there with you now!
@Marie, I wonder how soon I’d get tired of something like that on the fence. Maybe I could try something temporary.
@Kathy, a 40-degree temp swing is just bizarre. Thank god winter is coming to mull over these plans, eh?
@Loree, I was protecting it with a shade umbrella yesterday! So glad you grabbed one.
@Scott, just the first year but so far it’s looking like a good salvia.
Love the salvia! Too hot to get out there and photograph for Bloom Day. You did good.
Denise, you “heat” garden photos are very inspiring. Used to grow the russellia in San Antonio when I was there. Really like the Salvia reptans also, kind of reminds me of Salvia azurea, a Kansas native. All in all I thought you were in Austin for awhile. Happy gbbd.
There’s something about a good blue this time of year… That salvia reptans looks like my kind of blue, right bloom time, and perfect form for Longview Ranch. I like the look of your blue pots (including the lovely Russellia) against your brick patio and steps, too. Hope your heat breaks soon!
Oh my goodness… those agaves are HUGE!
I like the salvia a lot, but I think that my fave this month is the russellia. That hot orange is great!
p.s. I may have already told you this, but I LOVE the “Confirm You are NOT a Spammer” checkbox. Awesome. 🙂
Now I know why Russellia did not grow well for me. Extreme heat and I don’t play well together. May cooler days be on the way!
What great agaves. Unfortunately we can’t grow them as we are too far north but I would love a few in my yard. I garden with almost no water and they would really add a punch to the plantings. Oh well, we always want want we can’t have!