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Ten August Favorites

Ginger Lily ( Hedychium coccineum 'Tara') With the exception of a few hot spells, August has been tolerable. However, beginning tomorrow, we are in for a 5-day heat wave. Disgusting! August is the month for plants that really love the heat. I have to begin with the Ginger Lily 'Tara' which is blooming for the first time. I posted a few weeks ago about how excited I was to see the bloom stalk. They have slowly opened with a few flowers every day. It has been well worth the wait.  Other favorites - Continuing the orange theme is Lantana 'Miss Huff' which is growing in a pot (that is the heather 'Firefly' in the foreground). This lantana can survive in the ground if situated in a protected area and it isn't too wet. Previously, one grew in the back garden along the south foundation and got huge (about 3' x 5'). I finally took it out after a particularly tough winter and it was slow to bounce back.  Allium ' Millenium' is a small charme...
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Waiting for the Smoke to Clear


The week from hell continues! That windstorm that we got last Monday and Tuesday was just the beginning of a terrible week that seems to never end. The heat, drought and low humidity fueled wildfires all over the Pacific Northwest. Portland, just next door to us, has the worst air quality in the world. 

At first, the lighting took on a heavily filtered look that was eerie but not that intimidating. Notice the ominous clouds (this was taken last Wednesday evening) -

As the fires got closer, the light changed and everything was under a sickly orange haze (Friday) -







On Saturday, the smoke arrived and every day it just gets thicker. Taken yesterday -


Today seems a tad better but the air is still very unhealthy and we haven't seen the sun for three days now. The temperatures dropped dramatically and it has been downright chilly. We are not complaining about that though. We actually like it. Predicted rain for this evening (Monday) seems to be vanishing with every forecast (that happens a lot!) but the good news is that there is a slight chance of rain predicted for every day this week. 

The closest fires to us were at least 30 miles away - most were south of Portland. Many people in rural communities were affected and there were even some casualties. We are safe although who knows what lingering effects this smoke will have on people's health? I've experience some dizziness and light-headed periods and thought it was just low blood sugar but perhaps it is the weather conditions.

We are staying inside and have been watching "Agatha Christie's Marple" with Geraldine McEwan. Lots of beautiful colors, sets, architecture, gardens and costumes. It is gorgeous to look at and the acting is great too. It is a great way to take your mind off the news events happening all over the country now.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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