August 2010 Newsletter / Garden Tips
Hello to all and welcome to our August 1, 2010 garden tips.
Here we go with What Is New for your garden:
Starting in the Secret Garden:
- Lots of herb and veggie starters - we filmed a segment for San Diego 6 Green Scene this morning and our feature was edible plants. Looking particulary nice are
* Zucchini, Parsley, Swiss Chard, Rosemary, Spinach, Chinese Leek,
* Peppers, Salad Mix ‘cut and come again’, French Tarragon, Cilantro
* Strawberries, Tomatoes, Dark Opal Basil and Thai Basil.
* Stevia – sweeter than sugar and calorie free – great for sweetening a nice cool iced tea.
*Bay Laurel - Best known as a seasoning, bay laurel is an evergreen shrub or tree that is native of the Mediterranean area. Although bay can grow into a tall tree, it is often kept smaller by pruning or by confining it in a container. In the spring, bay has small yellow flowers which develop into purple berries in the fall – but you can’t beat fresh bay leaves in your cooking.
- Hawaiian Papaya – Providing your temperature stays above 32°F then Papaya will work for you. Besides being an exotic tree the fruit is really good for you. Papaya contains papain which is a powerful and remarkable protein dissolving enzyme that is an exceptional aid to digestion and eases many stomach ailments.
- Asclepias curassavica 'Milkweed', 'Butterfly Weed' - attracts Monarch Butterflies. Blooms all year red and orange, less than an inch across in clusters at the top of 2 to 4 ft. stalks. By the way if you get those Monarch Butterflies, you will also get their little caterpillars that will munch down the Milkweed and become Monarchs themselves. The plant will grow back – and a very worthwhile sacrifice to nature in your yard.
- Leonotis leonurus 'Lion's Tail' – gets 6 to 8ft tall, stunning flowers look like a lion's tail. You can be fairly thrifty on watering.
- Water Plants – a nice delivery last week, they’re going to enjoy the sunshine we’re about to see !!
* Water Chestnut, Royal Pickerel, Giant Marsh Marigold, Mini Water Velvet, lots of Water Lettuce and Water Hyacinths…and lots more.
Jumping back to our entryway – lots of bedding annuals and perennials, here’s a few:
- Lantana ‘Luscious Tropical Fruit’ – a mounding Lantana 18 to 24” tall and wide.
- Lantana ‘Bandito Red’ – bets 10 to 12” tall and wide – stunning color.
- Fabulously fragrant Heliotrope
- Lots of Gazanias in many colors
- Baby’s Breath ‘Gypsy Deep Rose’ - This classic "baby's breath" is soft, gorgeous rose-pink. Double and semi-double flowers create low airy mounds of vibrant color.
- Scarlet Verbena – vibrant !
- Crimson Sun Parasol Mandevilla - (in quarts, 1 gallon, hanging baskets and 5 gallon) – vine that gets to 15ft – a vigorous grower – loves the heat (that we are about to have !!)
- Lantana camara ‘Ann-Marie’ is an excellent choice for beds or containers. This variety get approx 12” tall and wide. Attractive foliage is topped with vividly colored flowers. The brightly colored flowers of Lantana are excellent for attracting hummingbirds and Butterflies. Plant Lantana in full sun in fertile well drained soil in either beds or containers. Lantana prefers moist soil, but is somewhat drought tolerant. Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Remove spent flowers to promote new flower growth.
- Cannas in quart pots – reds, pinks and yellow.
- Cuphea hybrid ‘Triple Crown’ – in the ‘Cigar Plant’ family of Cupheas – very delicate pastel colors and get 2ft x 2ft.
Some new shrubs:
- Metrosideros collina 'Tahiti' (Dwarf Pohutukawa) - This small shrub has neat gray-green thick rounded leaves and clusters of orange-red flowers. Compact growth (to 3 ft tall and as wide) and a free flowering habit. Scattered flowers appear on the bush through much of the year with the heaviest bloom in Late Winter thru early Summer. Butterflies, birds and insects are attracted to the attractive orange/scarlet blooms which appear in masses of puffs covering the bush. Tolerant of salt spray and is useful in seaside plantings. Plant in sunny locations in well draining soils with moderate irrigation. This is an excellent choice for large pots on patios, terraces and around pools or on steps.
- Ixora ‘Maui Orange’ – loved by hummingbirds and butterflies. Likes sun or part shade, get 3ft tall and around 2ft across. Orange blooms till early winter. Likes acidic, well drained soil and regular water.
- Escallonia ‘Red Elf’ - A compact evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves. Produces highly attractive tubular dark crimson flowers. Makes an excellent border choice. Gets 4 to 6ft tall and wide.
- Tibouchina heteromalla (Silver leafed Princess Flower) - This evergreen shrub from Brazil has an upright growth habit to 8-10 feet tall with velvety silver-green 4-6 inch long leaves. The 1 1/2 inch wide violet flowers on long spikes bloom mid-summer and last until fall. Loves full sun and moist soil during the growing season but tolerates regular to only occasional irrigation in our coastal gardens.
- Plumerias – from small (quart pot) to large (7 gallon pot) – and all points in between, many in bloom.
We got an interesting selection of Leucadendron and Protea in (some are about to bloom…others we’ll have to wait till late winter/spring)…
- Leucadendron 'Safari Goldstrike' (Yellow Conebush) - This is a vigorous, compact grower to 6 feet tall. The flowers are bright clean yellow bracts on vigorous long stems during winter and spring. This is an excellent candidate for cut flower and foliage harvesting. Prune well after flowering to ensure a sturdy plant.
- Leucadendron argenteum (Silver Tree) - This is a strikingly beautiful accent tree with large (4 to 6 inches long by 2 inches wide) soft, silky, shimmering, silvery-green-gray, lance-shaped foliage. It is an evergreen tree that can grow 25-40 feet tall and about 20 feet wide. Older, mature branches are spreading and irregularly shaped with gray bark.
- Leucospermum 'Veldfire' - A medium sized shrub to 4 and 1/2 feet tall by 6 to 8 feet wide with dark green leaves that have red on the dentations at the leaf tip. The large flowers are yellow with red "ribbons" and bloom in the late spring and early summer.
- Leucospermum cordifolium 'Yellow Bird' (Nodding pincushion) (SEE PHOTO BELOW) - This is an attractive shrub up to 4 ft. tall and 7 ft. spread. It produces gray-green leaves and yellow, distinctively dome-shaped flowers that last for a prolonged period in the spring. It does best in the full sun. It is drought tolerant once established
- Protea cynaroides 'Mini King' (Dwarf King Protea) - A shrub to about 3 feet tall and wide with large 6 to 8 inch wide flowers of pale silky pink, sometimes a deep crimson, form a roundish central peak of flowers surrounded by rays of darker pink bracts. Flowers cover the shrub from autumn to spring with some scattered bloom throughout the year. Plant in full sun in a well drained, preferrably acid, soil. Requires little irrigation and tolerates coastal conditions. Protect from frost and temperatures below 28° F. Cut flowering stems back to base after flowering.
- Protea neriifolia 'Late Mink' - Dense compact shrub to 4 to 6 feet tall by 6 to 8 feet wide with dark green leaves and large clear pink flowers that are blushed with apricot and coral and covered with light silver hairs and dark brown hairs near the petal tips. Flowering is later than many of the Protea nerifolia cultivars with plants in full bloom in late winter. Plant in full sun in well drained soil and irrigate only occasionally once established. Tolerant of moderate frost and is good in seaside gardens.
- Protea 'Sylvia' - A Protea exemia/susannae hybrid that has upright growth to 6-8 feet tall. It has medium to large flowers that are pink-red with bronze satiny glow and cream-yellow centers. Main flowering period is from November to February. Plant in full sun and water sparingly to regularly. It has good soil and great frost tolerance (to mid 20 ° F).
A handful of our best looking succulents:
- Agave attenuata 'Kara's Stripes' (Variegated Fox Tail Agave) - A beautiful new Agave that has only been made widely available recently (Summer 2007) through the miracle of micropropagation (tissue culture). 'Kara's Stripes' has wonderful broad soft butter-yellow leaves with narrow green marginal stripes. It will form a clump to 3 to 4 feet or more tall by even wider with many rosettes of pliable leaves that emerge from a tight central spear to arch gracefully back towards the ground. Plant in full coastal sun to shade (brighter light brings out the best color in this variegated plant) in a relatively well drained soil and water occasionally to very little - looks best with regular to some irrigation. Tolerates seaside conditions.
- BRIGHT WOOLY BLUE SPIRES Pilosocereus pachycladus - Slender stems (to about 3 inches thick) are "glow-in-the-dark" light blue. The stems are a nice vertical accent by shape alone, but when you kick in the color it's like waving blue light wands in the garden. The almost spineless margins are almost covered with little woolly masses of downy fuzz. Growth is reasonably fast at about a foot a year. Full sun.
- Golden Barrel Cactus – a favorite landscape cactus in the American Southwest. Gets to 3ft x 3ft ….slloooowwwly…It is popular for its golden spines that keep looking attractive after several years.
Into the Greenhouse:
- A new Pothos ‘Patricio’ – very yellow and green, variegated, large leaf – very full, lush and super-easy care.
- Draceana ‘Florida’ – very tropical, in 6”, 8” and larger sizes, very hardy
- Clusia Rosea ‘Pitch Apple’, very unique
- Sensitive Plants – a fresh new batch – they love to be ‘teased’
- New long lasting Orchids – the hybrid Oncidiums are very exotic and long lasting.
- African Violets, and Gloxinias very pretty
- Hibiscus – these indoor grown plants are amazing – flowers very intense and colorful.
- Anthuriums and Bromeliads full of color
- ‘Loose’ Tillandsias, many in bloom – create your own piece of natural art.
- Breynia ‘Hawaiian Snowbush’ – in 6” and 10” pots are very colorful
- Rex Begonias look too good to be real !!
- Eucomis ' Pineapple Lily'. Fragrant South African native has tropical-looking, fleshy leaves with flower spikes that appear to be miniature "pineapples" at the top of each stem. (Sorry, not edible.) Hundreds of waxy, one inch starry flowers are perfectly shaped, mostly edged in maroon and begin opening from the bottom up.
August 1, 2010 Garden Tips:
--Watering and pest control are some of the main tasks this month.
--Remember the basics: Water in the early morning. Water the soil, not the leaves. Water deeply and occasionally rather than shallow and often.
--Soak containers well. If you can't keep up or they're wilting anyway move them to a shadier spot. Also give your compost heap an occasional dousing to promote necessary decomposition and consider shading the heap to keep it moist longer.
-- It is vital to water plants deeply during midsummer. If they are merely sprinkled their roots tend to reach up toward the soil surface to get at the water rather than reaching downward as they should. Shallow roots will perish during hot weather. One deep watering a week utilizes less water, is better for plants and requires less time than a daily sprinkling. Plants grown in containers or very sandy soil will require more frequent irrigation. It's also a good time to make sure your irrigation system is performing at its peak. Flush filters and header lines of drip systems. Also check drip emitters and clean or replace those that aren't working properly.
--You can plant native desert perennials and shrubs now – you will need to keep them well-watered.
--If an annual is sickly or struggling at this point in the season just pull it up and pitch it.
--If a perennial is sickly or looking otherwise awful cut it back to just a few inches. It will come back this year or next spring with healthier growth.
Some August Planting Ideas:
Plant Bougainvillea: Warmth-loving bougainvillea can be planted with good success this month. The plants are available in several different colors in addition to the popular reds and purples. Choose a warm sunny fence or wall to train the plants on. Be careful when planting not to disturb the fragile root ball.
Plant Trumpet Vine: The lavender trumpet vine (Clytostoma callistegioides) is a vigorous climbing evergreen vine with large lavender trumpet-shaped blooms. The plant blooms from late spring to early fall. Even when it is not blooming, the vines are quite attractive. The showy lavender trumpet vine is ideal as a covering for patios, walls or fences. The plants grow rapidly and will grow in either full sun or partial shade
Flowers: It is best to wait until late in the month to start winter-spring flowers from seed unless you plant them in pots for later transplanting. You can still add plants of summer flowers this month. Some possibilities include:
--Ageratum, Alyssum
--Bedding begonia
--Cosmos, Dianthus, Dusty Miller, Impatiens, Marigold, Petunia, Portulaca, Vinca rosea
Vegetables: After the middle of the month you can plant seeds for the following vegetables - Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Collards, Kale, Lettuce, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Turnips
Water Lilies:
While water lilies appear delicate don't let their exotic aura fool you. These flowers are as tough as they are beautiful. They do well in any USDA hardiness zone.
Water lilies can be grown in a tub on the patio or in ponds of any size. They grow from tubers planted in pots beneath the water and send up stems with rounded leaves and star-shaped blossoms that float on the surface. Hardy lilies are dependable and easy to plant -- a good choice for the beginner. Daytime bloomers, they blossom in the morning and close after sunset lasting three or four days before sinking beneath the surface. The flowers appear from spring to fall blooming in all colors except blues and purples. Hardy water lilies go dormant in winter and may be left in the water or stored. Tropical water lilies which bloom in more exotic colors take a little more care but are well worth the effort. Their flowers are larger and more prolific. Night-blooming varieties have vibrant almost electric colors. Tropical water lilies require a water temperature above 70 degrees F and tubers must be removed from the pond in winter.
Things to do:
--Keep newly planted annuals well watered until they are thoroughly rooted. Because of their quick growth and heavy flowering potential annuals need more fertilizing than most other plants in the garden. Keep deadheading (removing spent flowers) to help them continue blooming.
--A thick layer of organic mulch averaging about two inches should be maintained on top of the soil just about year-round. Add additional mulch as needed to maintain this level. A thick mulch layer will cool root systems from hot summer temperatures, reduce irrigations as much as half, reduce weeds, and improve soil life and soil quality.
--Deep water trees as needed according to the tree species, its age and the weather.
--This is still a good month to plant or transplant palms and cycads. They will need to be kept well watered to help them get established. Watering should be often. Most tropicals & subtropicals need fast drainage too.
--This is your last chance if planting "fall tomatoes". If your spring planted tomatoes are still doing well leave them in. If not rather than nurturing the last few fruit start fresh. Consider the "fall" varieties now. Some warm-season vegetables can still be planted but keep them well watered. At this time of the year quick-maturing or "early" varieties will often be good choices.
--Although your roses may still be blooming the heat of this and next month are taking a bit of a toll on roses especially in sun exposed gardens. A moderate summer pruning will help revive your roses and will encourage a big fall bloom. Early in the month is the best time to do this pruning. Remove about 1/3 of the plant and any crossing or awkward growth. Be sure to fertilize after pruning.
--Remember, cool-season lawns (fescue/Marathon, ryegrass, bluegrass) should be mowed about a half an inch higher in the warm months than in the cool months. Continue feeding warm-season lawns into the fall months.
--Fuchsias should still be blooming although less than a couple of months ago. Keep fertilizing regularly with a balanced fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus to promote more flowering. Proper watering is key this time of the year especially those in hanging baskets. Water early in the morning or in the evening and check soil moisture every day.
--Fruit Trees - Monitor soil moisture and irrigate as needed. Flooding the soil beneath these trees or using a drip system are excellent methods. Avoid the use of sprinklers and do not regularly wet the trunk – this can cause certain diseases. If you want to reduce or limit the overall size of any of these trees the correct time to prune them is immediately following the fruit harvest. Pruning in winter is important for the purpose of fruit production and tree structure.
--Be very cautious irrigating most of our native plants during the summer. Most of these are adapted to a winter wet - summer dry moisture cycle. Too frequent irrigations now (especially in soils with clay content) will cause serious problems.
--Prune summer flowering shrubs as the flowers fade.
--Trim and feed hanging baskets to prolong their beauty.
--Remember - plant trees, shrubs and perennials now so they can take root and keep them well watered.
--Planting displays of glorious sunflowers like these helps liven up any midsummer garden.
--Continue spraying for tomato hornworms with products containing Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a biological control that will not harm beneficial insects. Don't wait until you get a major infestation and the worms get out of control. A preventive spray applied every 10 days should keep them in check. I found 3 “ginormous” hornworms on my tomato plant this past week (about 4” long AND fat guys too). Dave kindly removed them and gently relocated them to the garbage can and all seems well now.
--Petunias should be cut back this month. The hot weather tends to make the plants leggy. Prune the plants to about 5 inches above ground level. When pruned, feed the plants with an application of a liquid fertilizer. In a few weeks the plants will be full and lush again with lots of blooms.
--Pest Controls: A variety of pest problems can occur in August. If you have plants that are having a problem bring in a representative sample to the nursery and speak with one of our plant specialists. We will diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate control.
--Fruit and Vegetable Gardens: Fertilize fruits and vegetables as needed with a good quality slow-release vegetable food such as Dr. Earth Organic Fruit & Vegetable fertilizer.
--Lawns: If needed, apply a weed control to the lawn to kill actively growing weeds. Some tips on applying weed killer:
Do not apply weed controls on newly seeded areas.
Do not apply weed controls on windy days.
Do not apply weed controls near or on the edge of waterways.
Do not allow children or pets to play on lawns freshly applied with weed controls. It is best to wait one week.
Do not apply weed controls when temperatures are above 85 degrees F.
Always follow the label directions.
Houseplants: Continue to feed houseplants with a good quality indoor plant food – we can advise at the nursery – ask for Marsha.
Your August Summary Planting GuideFlowers From Transplants: Ageratum, Balsam, Begonia, Coleus, Cosmos, Dianthus, Gaillardia, Gazania, Gloriosa daisy, Impatiens, Lisianthus, Marguerite, Marigold, Portulaca, Salvia, Sunflowers, Vinca Rosea, Zinnia
Vegetables From Transplants: Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes
Vegetables From Seeds Or Transplants: Beans, Corn, Cucumbers, Okra, Pumpkins, Squash
