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The 2024 Garden Year

January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...
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August Views


The last day of August approaches and the end of my least favorite month. With it comes another hot week. Today is especially bad with almost 100 degrees. The garden looks okay though despite this and the fact that we've had no rain in over 70 days!

Most of these photos were taken last week on a very cool day with the marine layer present.

Redbud 'Flame Thrower' seems to hate the heat as much as I do and looks absolutely terrible on hot days. It was just planted this year and I'm not sure if it just hasn't settled in yet or if it despises the full sun exposure it is getting. But here it is looking its best.

Another stunning tree but one with a few drawbacks is Harlequin Glory-Bower or Peanut Butter Tree (Clerodendrum trichotomum). I haven't been able to get a photo that does justice. It presents an elegant sight looking out at it from our back deck and the hummingbirds and bees love it. The bad quality that I mentioned is a tendency to run and reappear in less desirable spots. We found one this year but they are easily pulled and so far, a small price to pay to such a beauty.



The Russian Sage (Perovskia) is too large for the courtyard and I am replacing it next year with a smaller plant. 

Sumac 'Tiger Eyes' also has a tendency to run but easily potted up for more plants.


Stewartia psuedocamellia,
Hornbeam (Carpinus betula 'Fastiagiata Nana') in the pot
and Jasmine 'Fiona Sunrise' on the pergola

Cedrus deodora 'Feelin' Blue', Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Skeeter's Broom' and 'Sango Kaku', Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke'

'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora)


Persicaria 'Golden Arrow', Hydrangeas 'Pistachio' and 'Twist n' Shout', Calamagrostis 'Eldorado'


Looking down the first set of terrace steps on the left is Chaste Tree (Vitex),
Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite', 'Skyrocket' Juniper.
On right from bottom is Smoke Tree 'Golden Spirit' (Cotinus) and Katsura in the foreground.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonAugust 30, 2022 at 4:55 PM

    I love that tidy little Clerodendrum but I expect it needs more water than I can provide. August is my least favorite month too but your garden looks better than mine, Phillip. With our current water restrictions I've let a lot of things go and just try to shift my eyes in another direction to the degree possible. We're expecting the worst heatwave of the summer thus far this week, with it shifting into high gear tomorrow and hitting its worst on Sunday.

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    1. Phillip OliverAugust 31, 2022 at 8:14 AM

      Kris, I keep hoping California will get more rain.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 31, 2022 at 7:58 AM

    Slightly different vantage points than usual, those long shots are beautiful! I wouldn't think its August: everything is so lush and green. Redbud should be able to take full sun... I hope it tolerates the heat better once it matures.
    There's a 'ghostly' bare tree in the background of photo (one before last). Is it painted?
    chavli

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverAugust 31, 2022 at 8:16 AM

      Chavli, those are limbs that Michael painted white and put in a large pot. I always wanted some type of glass sculptures to fill that hole and he came up with that idea which was faster and cheaper!

      Delete
  3. Hoover BooSeptember 4, 2022 at 12:19 PM

    Wow! Looking great there. I like the too-big Perovskia--perhaps just a bit of a cut back of the more brazen stems? It's fun when a plant says, "Hey, look at me!"

    70 days without rain--that makes someone in Southern California giggle. 7 months is normal for here.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2022 at 4:01 PM

      Hoover, I don't know how you do it - yikes!

      Delete
  4. RobinLSeptember 6, 2022 at 2:33 PM

    You’d never guess from these gorgeous photos that you’ve had a hot, dry summer. It looks very green and lush.

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