Heat waves and backaches

 
With a pulled muscle in my back and a hideous heat-wave upon us, I am taking a break from the garden. Aside from planting, I have not worked on any projects lately. The terrace project (above) awaits me but for now, the flowers planted in the raised beds are doing great. The site here is dry and full sun. I have been watering this area about once a week except for the Katsura Tree (located in the top bed) which gets more frequent water.

This is a good learning experience to discover which plants can take these conditions.

Some of the plants here -

California Fuchsia (Zauschneria septentrionalis 'Select Mattole') is a plant I have never grown before. It has grown rapidly and just now started to bloom heavily. The hummingbirds love it.

Rudbeckia ('Goldstrum" I think) - you can't go wrong with it!

The Penstemons have become one of my favorite perennials. This is 'Blue Midnight'.

Coreopsis 'Red Satin'

Eryngium 'Jade Frost'

Ornamental Oregano (Origanum 'Kent Beauty'), one of my favorite plants.

Strawflower 'Mohave Orange'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy