Tough plants to welcome summer
Hot, muggy days in the 90s (33 C) signal that summer has arrived in central Texas, even if the calendar says it’s still spring. When the mercury creeps skyward, I take satisfaction in knowing that certain plants, even those in small containers, in full sun, won’t require babying from me. Take this Agave mediopicta ‘Alba’ for example. What a gorgeous plant! I’m so thrilled to have this agave, a passalong from blogging friend Kathleen‘s friend Lela.
Although Opuntia is often seen colonizing ranchland outside of Austin and can be considered a nuisance, I happen to love it, especially the spineless varieties. This prickly pear is a new one in my garden, Opuntia ficus-indica. It’s part of my foundation planting in the sunny, sloping side garden. I can’t wait for them to get big, so I can see Mickey Mouse ears when I look out the window.
Seed-grown plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), one of our native wildflowers, adds color and airy texture to the goofy, rounded forms of the Opuntia. The feathery plumes of Mexican feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima) provide movement.
On the deck, an aloe and a feathergrass in glazed pots require almost nothing from me. With only an occasional drink from the hose, they are happy to bake in the sun all summer long.
As for me? I’ll be in the shade with a big glass of water.
All material © 2006-2010 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
We are beginning to wonder if we’ll even have a summer here on the west coast. May just be The Year of Perennial Spring. arghhhhh!
The squirrels are gnawing on my succulents, the deer continue to neatly nip off flower buds (on several things) and the weeds are ever so happy with the weekly rains. The tomato plants are blooming in spite of the weather but whether or not there will actually be fruit remains to be seen.
My garden has been feeding various critters too, but not deer so far (fingers crossed). Being from Texas, I almost hate to wish summer on anyone, but it does sound like you’d like some. Have a few weeks of ours! It’s on me. 😉 —Pam
I went on vacation and didn’t have to ask my house sitter to water my succulent container gardens! Gotta love it!
I do love it. That’s great! —Pam
It is still May and we are having 90F weather too. UGH…
Blech. That’s too hot for Indiana at this time of year, isn’t it? It’s par for the course here. —Pam
Great sun-lovers in your garden. I’m trying to visualize NOT gardening in July & August. How well do you think that will work?!!!
Good luck with that, Diana! —Pam
We do too. Yuck. I love the Opuntia. Have you ever tried to eat it?
Nope, not mine anyway. I have tried a prickly pear salsa before, and it was not bad. —Pam
Here is where I want to whine about how cold and wet it is in Portland right now. Surprisingly so…we should have put all that behind us by now! I am a little jealous of your heat and sun. Remind me of that when I’m complaining in July about how hot it is ok? And…as usual…I am loving all of your plants!
Oh, Loree, if I could trade our summer for a Portland summer, I surely would. Just think how happy your agaves would be! Of course, mine would probably sulk. Guess I better keep the Death Star. —Pam
Please save seeds of the burgundy coreopsis Pam. They are a true find.They look super with the opuntia and feather grass. Wish mine weren’t so tall.
Oh yes? I didn’t know they were a rare thing, Jenny. I’ll be sure to save the seeds. —Pam
Your photos are just beautiful. We have had a very cool spring and only 83 degrees today and very dry outdoors. I do like planting Opuntia ficus-indica as well 🙂
Does it bloom for you, Noelle? The tag said it would have orange flowers, and I’m looking forward to that. —Pam
Your photos are great as usual. Love that Feather grass. The aloe with the grass is just like the ones I was talking about awhile back.
Yes, I would like a couple seeds from that coreopsis as mine are yellow but the mounding kind.
I can see that the dark coreopsis is popular indeed. I better go check on those seeds. —Pam
The Cactus, Coreopsis and Grass combo is very nice. We are having unpredictable weather here, but with good temperatures and generally sufficient rain. Maybe your summer will be less brutal than last.
One can always hope, Les! —Pam
All right Pam, judging from your photos, I think you are the right person to ask. I have an old birdbath with no drainage that I thought I’d make into a succulent garden. But won’t they drown when it rains? This is central Ohio, not Austin, so we do get rain in the summer. Thoughts? Do your containers all have drainage holes?
I always make sure my succulents are in containers with good drainage holes, Robin. I’ve seen pictures of bird-bath succulent planters, and they look great, but I assumed that they had been drilled through the bottom for drainage. —Pam
That agave mediopicta ‘Alba’ is a stunner! Looks great in the container with the glass pebbles, and the plains coreopsis rivals gaura for a combo-planting with the feathergrasses. Great contrast Pam.
ESP.
I understand the Alba is a prolific off-setter once it gets going. I’ll be sure to save you a pup one day, ESP. The plains coreopsis is stunning with the feathergrass. Alas, it is short-lived and already beginning to fade. —Pam
I love your combination of the Feathergrass with the Prickly Pear and Coreopsis. Very striking.
Thanks, Jenny! —Pam