Okay, it's 100 degrees and no relief in sight. What's a gardener to do. Well, fortunately there are some great plants that not only take the heat, but are also real show stoppers when it comes to color. First on the list is one of my personal favorites: Giant Coral Bean. This plant never fails to draw wows at the nursery. Not only is it super heat and drought tolerant, it blooms all summer and attracts hummingbirds! In fact, last year at Bloomers one of our customers who happened to be a "birder" noticed a violet-eared hummingbird on this plant. Apparently this was a rare sighting in our area and soon we had all sorts of bird watchers at the nursery trying to catch a glimpse and get a photo of this elusive bird. The botanical name for this plant is Erythrina x Bidwillii, a cross between native Coral Bean and tropical Coral Bean. This large shrub is root hardy in zone 8 and grows very quickly, exhibiting deep red blossoms all summer. Just give it some space as it can get quite large. Our speciman at Bloomers is about 10' tall and 8' to 9' wide.The next plant I want to mention is the increasingly popular Pride of Barbados or Red Bird of Paradise as it is sometimes called. The botanical name is Caesalpinia Pulcherrima. This beauty is breathtaking when it is in
bloom which is usually the hottest part of the summer. The hotter it gets outside, the better this plant does. Full sun is best and good drainage is necessary as this plant does not prefer wet feet. The fern-like foliage is an excellent backdrop and contrast for the gaudy orange and yellow blossoms. Oh yes, did I mention that it attracts butterflies, bees and Hummingbirds as well? When Pride of Barbados is blooming, it's hard to keep them in the nursery as they readily fly out the door.
bloom which is usually the hottest part of the summer. The hotter it gets outside, the better this plant does. Full sun is best and good drainage is necessary as this plant does not prefer wet feet. The fern-like foliage is an excellent backdrop and contrast for the gaudy orange and yellow blossoms. Oh yes, did I mention that it attracts butterflies, bees and Hummingbirds as well? When Pride of Barbados is blooming, it's hard to keep them in the nursery as they readily fly out the door.Last but certainly not least is the bold and sassy Texas Star Hibiscus. This perennial exhibits very large dark red hibiscus flowers framed by some very interesting foliage. This hardy hibiscus thrives in the heat and does well in poorly drained soils. There's much more to discuss but I'm going to have to pick up those topics at a later date. Right now I need some sleep. So long until next time. Oh yeah, we have all three of these plants and many more at Bloomers Garden Center, 507 hwy 95 N, Elgin, Tx. 78621. Come check us out!
3 comments:
Greetings from zone 7! So glad to see you in the blogosphere. I love reading about plants, though those tropical ones would probably be annuals here.
I'm trying to learn, though most of my garden beds are still classified as "experimental". (You might remember my "invasion of the tomoato plants". That bed is back to an herb and flower garden and looks much better now--really!)
-Jen
p.s. What kind of killer eyesight would you have to have to see a hummingbird's ear?!
Good question, I'm doing good at my age to see the little hummers themselves. After 40 it all starts to go! ( But in my mind I'm still 30 something).
Cool! That would mean I'm still in my twenties. ;-)
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