We're having a heat wave. But not a tropical heat wave, no no NO. Tropical heat waves are characterized by brief afternoon showers and warm sea breezes. In Central Texas, we're having a dry, blistering, parched heat wave, with eleven days so far this year over 100° F.
Here's a few plants that can take what the sun dishes out. Not a one of these bloomers is in the front garden, which looks nearly as sad right now as it did
six months ago.
Many of my bloomers are edibles. Here's a tiny bright yellow blossom from an "Armenian cucumber" which is actually a melon:
Cucumis melo var. flexuosus.
And here's a big bright orange blossom from a 'Costata Romanesco' heirloom Italian zucchini. Looks like the ants are taking over pollination duties this year.
I love how the pale purple blossoms of 'Ichibon' japanese eggplant cast their faces shyly downward.
Mexican oregano (
Poliomintha longiflora) continues its bloom cycle, although many of the blossoms are browning on the stem.
Now for the non-edible bloomers. Well, people don't eat Turk's cap (
Malvaviscus arboreus var. Drummondii)-- at least, I don't think so!--but hummingbirds sure do. I've spotted several females drinking from its twisty nectar-filled blossoms. Of course, the birds flit off as soon as I even think about grabbing my camera.
Normally, this 'Old Blush' rose would be blooming up a storm, but between the heat and the drought, it's only managed to put out a few small, pale flowers.
Even this old-fashioned
Lantana camara is languishing in the heat. When it's too hot for lantana to bear, you
know it's too darn hot!
The flame acanthus is just starting to bloom, much to the delight of the hummingbirds and bees.
Stay cool, little bee!
Fly on over to
May Dreams Gardens and see what blooms the world's garden bloggers are buzzing about this GBBD. Tell Carol I sent ya!
Words and photos © 2009-2011 Caroline Homer for "The Shovel-Ready Garden". Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
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