Five things to do in the garden:
1. Plant a Spanish shawl. There is no ground cover more captivatingly beautiful than Spanish shawl (Centradenia floribunda). I first saw it in a nursery on a cart of decrepit plants that was being wheeled away. It was nothing but a clump of sad-looking foliage topped by a single, yet intriguing flower. I asked the person removing the plants about it and was told I could have it at no charge. Although it cost nothing, I have yet to receive a more valuable botanical treasure. Spanish shawl is a perennial with cold tolerance down to 20 degrees. It shows off small coppery-bronze leaves that are blanketed with silky magenta blooms in spring and fall. Its unopened flower buds are stunningly brilliant, pointed scarlet cones, adding to the highly ornate overall impression of this plant. It also does well in containers and will spill nicely out of hanging baskets or over block walls. You can order it from Annie’s through the website at anniesannuals.com. An added bonus is its ease of propagation from shoot-tip cuttings.
2. For an ornamental edible touch, plant a row of lettuces along the edge of a driveway, sidewalk, pathway, or planter bed. Whether you stay with a single color or want to mix the various greens and bronzes of multifarious lettuce types is up to you. Not only do lettuces come in different colors, but also with differently shaped leaves, to say nothing of different flavors, so that you could put together an exhibit in your row of lettuces that would have something for everyone. Consider planting Nevada Summer Crisp (available at highmowingseeds.com), distinguished among lettuce varieties for its ability to grow in full sun with a low water requirement. For an unusual look, plant Chinese Narrow Leaf Romaine (available at rareseeds.com) with its finger-like leaves. This tropical variety is known for its sweet taste and its rapid growth rate, being harvestable just 30 days after planting.
3. To get a handle on insect infestations this year, bring birds into your garden. A hummingbird may eat 2,000 insects in a single day while the average insectivorous bird will consume 100 times its body weight in insects in one year. Maximize the chances of avian visits to your garden with the addition of a birdbath, a birdhouse, and two bird feeders – one with sugar water for hummingbirds and one with seeds to be enjoyed by other avian species. Birdscaping involves planting species with trumpet flowers (Bignonias, Brugmansias, Tecomas, and Tecomarias) to attract hummingbirds and fruiting ornamentals (Photinias, Cotoneasters, Pyracanthas and toyons). If you have fruit trees, however, you may not want to attract birds unless your trees are protected with bird netting or individual fruits are enclosed in polyester fruit protection bags.
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4. Before many long months of rainlessness and heat arrive, you may want to consider installing a drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation gets the job done for as little as 30% of the amount of water required when applied through conventional sprinklers, as much water is lost when delivered through conventional sprinklers due to wind and run-off. Conventional sprinklers also water unevenly and do not soak the root system with the efficiency of drip irrigation. Today, sub-surface drip lines are also an option. Emitters are protected with copper to prevent intrusion of plant roots. Keep in mind that you can also save water by recycling it from showers and baths, bathroom sinks, and washing machines by installing what is known as a gray water system. You can find contractors on the Internet who install such systems or, if you have some plumbing skills, install a gray water system yourself.
5. There is no better long-blooming plant for containers in semi-shade than the Dragon Wing begonia, and a new variety has bronze foliage to go with its red or pink flowers. Dragon Wing is the strongest hybrid begonia with Angel Wing begonia parentage. Angel Wings are noted for their giant, often serrated, leaves that appear in pairs along the stem, suggesting the dorsal appendages of celestial seraphs. The issue with most Angel Wing begonias is their need for sun protection and their inability to survive cold. Because of their sensitivity to the elements, they are usually grown as indoor plants. Dragon Wing, on the other hand, will grow right through a typical Los Angeles area winter and may even survive a hard freeze when planted in the shade of taller shrubs or small trees. Dragon Wing does demand room to roam, however, as a single specimen will reach a height of nearly three feet with equal girth.
Please send your questions and comments to Joshua@perfectplants.com.