Summer has certainly arrived.
Although seasons move from one to the next fairly seamlessly here - there being no sudden frost in autumn or melting snow in spring - and though many plants bloom off and on throughout the year, the summer borders display their own special selection of bloom. Just now the spires of Perovskia are asserting themselves at the back of the South Border. This is by far the best they have looked so far. Perhaps my changes in watering have helped, or perhaps it simply needed three summer seasons to grow to size.
The bees are always happy when the Perovskia is in bloom.
I had intended for the miniature roses to slacken their pace through the warm season, but unlike their larger cousins, they refuse to go the least bit dormant. So why not enjoy...?
Between them grows Salvia "Summer Jewels", officially a little bedding annual, but one which - like other "annual" Salvias - is proving nicely perennial here. It is one of the pleasures of this garden that some of the more modest little space fillers turn into summer stalwarts when grown in the desert!
This shot (below), taken in the shade of a warm Sunday afternoon, displays some of what I like best about the border as it now stands: the cool colors melding together with plenty of foliage. Clockwise from upper left: Eremophila hygrophana, Catharanthus roseus, and lemon thyme.
Thank you to Cathy of Words and Herbs for encouraging us to keep watching a particular part of the garden throughout the seasons! It has been both surprising and informative to keep a weekly eye on this border.
Weather Diary: Fair; High: 105 F (41 C)/Low: 81 F (27 C); Humidity: 11% - 28%
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Kris P (Wednesday, 07 June 2017 13:00)
A temperature of 105F and your garden still looks great - remarkable! Your post is also another good reminder that I need to hunt down some of those wonderful miniature roses.
Brian Skeys (Wednesday, 07 June 2017 15:40)
The first small rose looks beautifully delicate with its cream and pink colours .
Cathy (Thursday, 08 June 2017 01:42)
Hi Amy. Your garden is looking so lovely - those cool blues and pinky mauve really do make a refreshing impression. Glad that Perovskia is finally getting settled. Mine needs a bit longer but I can't wait to see all the bees flocking to it!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 09 June 2017 02:50)
Thanks so much, Kris! We've been fortunate to have a long, slow temperature ramp this year, so the garden is entering summer in fairly good condition, I think! Hoping for a decent monsoon season this year!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 09 June 2017 02:54)
Brian Skeyes - It's a lovely one - no name unfortunately, as it was just sold as a gift plant, though bought as a garden addition... ;-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 09 June 2017 02:57)
Cathy - It's a relief to see that Perovskia coming into its own at last - more than once I've nearly jerked it out and replaced it, but it really is the right plant for that spot. Hope yours will take hold too and bring plenty of bees!
Anna (Friday, 09 June 2017 12:41)
so lovely, Amy! Your border is filling out nicely now after three season and, of course, your hard work and dedication ... x
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Monday, 12 June 2017 21:02)
Anna - Thank you so much! :) It's been lovely to watch it fill out. So sorry my reply is quite late - the past week has been distracting!