It is hot!
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We have been experiencing some very hot weather, 100+ degrees everyday for the past week. Just keeping the garden watered and trying to protect heat sensitive plants is taking most of my gardening time. This is complicated because with our continuing drought conditions water is precious and must be used judiciously.
So, it is at this time that I really appreciate one of the garden stalwarts: Lantana.
Heat just doesn't seem to phase Lantana. It is common and used everywhere here, along freeways in street medians, in commercial plantings, and of course home gardens, in many ways it is so ubiquitous that it can be overlooked for it's beauty. It is a drought tolerant, tough, tough, plant, I cut all of mine back almost to the ground every year and they return bigger and better than before, just in time to provide some color in high summer when it is needed most.
In my garden I have both trailing and bush Lantana,
trailing yellow borders a portion of my driveway and softens the gravel garden. I have used white trailing Lantana in the new area in the back under trees, it does't grow as densely which allows inter-planting without taking over.
Lantana color choices used to be limited, now we have more to select from and blended colors - pink and yellow, shown in the picture above (my favorite) and yellow combined with orange which clamors over one over my driveway pillars in the street garden. There is also one with variegated leaves.
This is one of my favorite pictures, I love the contrast between one of the stone pillars, original to the house, and the orange/yellow Lantana flowers. A very rabid grower now reaching over 6 feet, last winter I cut it to the ground - hardy indeed!
And now my Op-Ed moment....
Between the hot weather and all of the other problems our country is dealing with it is nice to have something to depend on, even if it is common and ordinary. I will take calm, dependability, and ordinary, over what is happening now, any day. I am so looking forward to Fall when the heat is over, the virus manageable, and (hopefully) a new leadership and direction for our country that combines the best of the old with innovations and ideas for the future.
Democracy is a very fragile thing, once lost almost impossible to regain.
Thank you for visiting
Adrienne
~ Don't forget to vote and if possible do it early.~
Here in Dallas it's also been so hot. No rain . I can't wait for fall.
ReplyDeleteI pulled a muscle in my back so just watering is almost to much. I try because I can't let my flowers die.
Every time I see Obama I tear up. I miss that man!
So ready for Nov. I was going to vote by mail but now I'm going to vote early in person. Not taking any chances. Too important.
I second everything you said. I look forward to November with both anticipation and fear - the outcome is so important.
DeleteSorry about your back, I know how that feels - ouch! Take care, hope it gets better soon.
Thanks, Adrienne, for this post. Your words need to be heard and taken to heart. No one seems to want to address what is going on in our country, and it is so important to all of us, no matter what party we belong to. I can't imagine just because of your party affiliation, you would want your country to be obliterated as to what we are used to. President Obama, Michelle and Kamala Harris all gave such poignant speeches. He knows how important the presidency is and you could certainly read it into his speech. I can't wait for November, but I am afraid that it won't be an easy outcome. As far as I am concerned, put his SH^^^^ in a black garbage bag and throw it all in the White House driveway. I can't take it anymore!! Sorry! I have always loved lantana when I see it but have never planted it. Do you think it would grow in zone 9 garden? If it doesn't take much water it sounds to be the ideal plant to grow. The fires are horrific and so is the heat..Stay well and sorry I used you for my soapbox..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteI am virtually clapping at your comment and I too look with both hope and fear towards November.
ReplyDeleteYes! I think you could grow Lantana and it would certainly be worth a try, it might die back in the cold weather but I think it would return.
The fires are horrible and on top of the heat and virus and the political situation everyday has become a challenge.
Stay well and take care.
I have never commented before, but I was so gratified to see you express hope for our country come November. Yes, please encourage everyone you can to vote. Offer to request absentee ballots for others, or take them to the polls. Let's do whatever it takes to make our country unified with hope, love and kindness and with thoughtful regard to dealing with so many important concerns; our environment, Covid-19, racial equality and our economy.
ReplyDeleteYour lantana is beautiful and so lush! I was never very successful with it, but perhaps I should try again? Your pictures are very inspiring - I like that orange one. At the moment we are not allowed to irrigate our gardens because of the wildfires near the river where we get our water from. Even though I have a drought tolerant garden the plants would probably appreciate some water in this heat, but getting control of those fires is far more important.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your clear and important opinion. I couldn't say it better. I am so sick of what has been happening. I have hope again for November, but I'm also anxious. Democracy indeed is a very fragile thing and we NEED to take care of it.
I have never commented before but always look to find your newest posting. Thank you for your sweet words about your garden and for our nation. Yes, I look forward to a change in the White House! It scares me to see the numbers that continue to support the current administration. I try to understand what positives they see and feel that they are not seeing/receiving the whole story. Thank you for your time...Charlene H
ReplyDeleteWell said and mirrors the way many (most?) of us feel. I worry just how much more America can withstand.
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