Do you love the beauty of bougainvillea? Many of us will agree that bougainvillea is beautiful, but many homeowners hesitate to grow them for a variety of reasons. The most common that I hear is that they get too big and as a result, too messy.
Embracing Bougainvillea: Maximizing Beauty while Minimizing Hassle in Containers
While both statements are certainly true, wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the captivating and vibrant beauty of bougainvillea in a more controlled manner? One can find great satisfaction in discovering how to strategically grow bougainvillea, harnessing its enchanting colors and delicate blooms while mitigating the challenges associated with its exuberant growth and occasional unruliness.
Thriving in Harsh Desert Summers: Consider Growing Bougainvillea
Let’s face it; summers in the desert can be brutal and bougainvillea are one of the lush green, flowering shrubs that thrive in intense heat and sun. So, why not consider adding one in a high-profile area where you can enjoy their beauty throughout the warm season?
Grab my FREE guide for Fuss-Free Plants that thrive in a hot, dry climate!
The Advantage of Potted Bougainvillea: Small Size, Less Mess
Growing bougainvillea in pots limits their overall size, and with smaller shrubs, there is less mess. It also makes it easier to protect them from frost damage in winter by moving the container to a sheltered location, such as underneath a patio or covering them with a sheet.
Bougainvillea make excellent container plants. In fact, many gardeners who live in cold climates, only grow them in pots and move them indoors in winter. I met a gardener in Austin, Texas who treats bougainvillea like an annual plant, planting a new one every year to replace the old one lost to winter cold. Thankfully, we don’t need to do add a new one every year.
Simple Steps to Cultivating Bougainvillea in Pots
Growing bougainvillea in pots is easy to do. Select a location in full sun where it will promote the most bloom. Bougainvillea are one of the few flowering plants that can handle west-facing exposures.
Nurturing and Feeding Your Potted Bougainvillea for Optimal Growth
Provide support for them to grow upward if desired. You can also grow bougainvillea as more of a compact shrub form if you wish.
Water deeply and allow the top 2 inches to dry out before watering again. Bougainvillea does best when the soil is allowed to dry out between watering.
Apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring, after the danger of frost is passed. You’ll want to reapply fertilizer every three months until September.
Winter Care and Final Thoughts: Flourish with Potted Bougainvillea
Growing bougainvillea in pots keeps them small enough to make it feasible to cover them when freezing temperatures occur. So, if you like container gardening, consider growing bougainvillea in a pot for great success.
Preparing Your Garden for a Heatwave: 5 Essential Tips
Have you ever wondered how your plants fare in the scorching heat of summer? Is your garden equipped to withstand the punishing temperatures that a heatwave can bring, whether you reside in the arid desert Southwest or more temperate regions? In this guide, we’ll explore how to create a heatproof garden that thrives even during the hottest days of summer.
What do your plants look like in the middle of summer? Do they thrive despite the hot temperatures?
Or do they look more like this?
Assessing Your Garden’s Heat Tolerance
Before we dive into our tips for heatproofing your garden, it’s crucial to understand how to recognize the signs of heat stress in your plants. During the hottest part of the day, take a stroll through your garden and keep an eye out for wilting leaves, as well as leaves turning yellow or brown – all telltale signs of heat stress.
5 Key Strategies to Heatproof Your Garden
Here are five essential strategies to help your garden not only survive but thrive in the face of scorching summer temperatures:
1. Embrace Native and Climate-Adapted Plants
Selecting native or climate-adapted plants is a foundational step in creating an attractive, low-maintenance landscape that remains beautiful year-round. These plants possess unique characteristics that enable them to withstand local climate conditions, including extreme summer heat. Learn how plants like Langman’s Sage and Mexican Honeysuckle adapt to thrive in the heat.
All too often, we find ourselves with landscapes filled with plants. These plants often have large leaves and struggle to survive the hot, summer months. This results in unattractive plants that we work hard to help sustain them until cooler temperatures arrive. Usually, these plants are best meant to grow in climates with less extreme heat.
Plants Adapt to Change
Langman’s Sage (Leucophyllum langmaniae)
Let’s look at an example of an adaptation that this Langman’s sage. The adaptation enables it to handle full sun and 110+ temperatures without undue stress.
Notice that the flowers have small hairs. So do the leaves, giving them a slightly grayish cast. These tiny hairs help to reflect the sun’s rays, which lowers the temperature of the leaves and flowers.
Another way that plants have to handle the heat is by having small leaves. This limits the amount of water lost, which helps them to deal with hot, dry temperatures.
Here in the desert Southwest, there are many native plants that are used. There are also plants from Australia and other arid regions, which have similar climates.
2. Harness the Power of Shade
Introducing shade into your garden offers respite from the relentless sun, benefiting both plants and your home’s overall cooling. Discover how to provide just the right amount of shade by strategically planting trees that offer filtered shade. This allows enough sunlight for other plants to flourish.
3. Master the Art of Deep and Infrequent Watering
Plants need water to survive, and not surprisingly, they need the most in the summer. However, we often water them too often and shallowly for it to do much good.
Shallow watering keeps roots close to the surface of the soil. There the soil temperatures are hot and the water dries up quickly.
Deep Watering is the Rule
Water is essential for your plants, especially during summer, but not all watering methods are created equal. Learn why deep watering, encouraging deep root growth, is far more effective than shallow watering. Discover how to gauge the depth of your watering and why early morning is the best time to hydrate your plants.
“Plants that are watered deeply and infrequently are better able to withstand the heat.”
Shrubs should be watered to a depth of 2 feet and perennials and groundcovers to 18 inches. You can determine how deeply you are watering by inserting a piece of rebar down into the soil (right after you have finished watering) to see how long you need to irrigate. On average, 2 hours is the length of time to irrigate to the desired depth.
An Online Course to Help You Understand Desert Garden Needs
In my online class, Desert Gardening 101, I teach my students that watering deeply is as important as the time of day that you water. The best time to water is early in the morning. Watering plants in the afternoon is not as useful since plants allocate their resources at that time toward surviving the stresses of the heat and so they do not take up water as efficiently.
4. Mulch for Cooler Soil and Moisture Conservation
Mulch plays a crucial role in heatproofing your garden. It helps regulate soil temperatures, keeping them cooler during the summer while conserving moisture – essential for plant health. Explore unconventional mulch options, including fallen leaves, pine needles, and even fallen flowers, and learn how they can enhance your garden’s well-being.
A bonus is that they also help to prevent weeds from taking root.
Be Creative with Mulch Components
Let’s take a minute to rethink our definition of what makes an excellent mulch.
While shredded bark and wood chips may come to mind, did you know that fallen leaves, pine needles, and even fallen flowers can also serve as a mulch? That is how nature does it.
Be Cautious with the Leaf Blower
So, the next time you are tempted to whip out your leaf blower, how about directing it toward the base of your plants where the leaves and flowers can serve as a mulch?
They will also help to improve the soil around your plants as they decay.
5. Opt for Succulents and Heat-Tolerant Shrubs in Containers
Tip for Heatproof Garden
While growing pretty flowers in containers is relatively simple in fall, winter and spring-summer can be another matter entirely. Often, it can be hard to grow flowering annuals in pots throughout the hot summer.
The reason for this is that the soil around the roots of container plants is hotter than if grown in the ground.
Critical Top Soil
This is especially true for the outer 6 inches of soil which heats up in response to air temperatures and the hot container. As a result, annuals can wilt and struggle to produce flowers in summer.
Succulents are a great way to enjoy attractive container plantings throughout the year, not just in summer. Their ability to store water is what makes them an excellent choice for containers.
Tip for Heatproof Garden
If you want to grow something else besides succulents, how about trying heat-tolerant shrubs? Bougainvillea does great in pots as does lantana.
Tip for Heatproof Garden
Caring for Heat-Stressed Plants
Another tip for containers is to leave them empty in the summer months and wait until fall to plant them.
When thinking in terms of growing plants in containers in hot climates, bigger is better – at least 2 feet wide at the top. The larger the pot, the more soil and therefore, more insulation for the roots from the hot outer zone.
So what can you do if you do have plants that are struggling in the heat – particularly during a heatwave?
Other than replacing them, you can provide them with temporary shade such as a patio chair strategically placed so that it protects it against the afternoon sun. A light spraying of water over the plant and surrounding area in the evening can help reduce the temperature – don’t do this when the sun is out, or you may burn the foliage.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Aug-Rio-Bravo-5.jpg548640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2019-06-11 07:05:002023-10-03 13:03:295 Tips for a Heatproof Garden
Do you love hummingbirds? Maybe a better question would be, who doesn’t?
Hummingbird feeding from an ocotillo flower.
Attracting hummingbirds to your garden isn’t hard to do by simply adding flowering plants, rich in nectar that they are attracted to.
Female Anna’s hummingbird at my feeder.
But, what if your garden space is small or non-existent? Is a hanging a hummingbird feeder your only option?
Well, I’m here to tell you that space needn’t keep you from having your own hummingbird garden – all you have to do is to downsize it creating one in a container.
If you have a small patio, stoop or even a balcony, you can create your own mini-hummingbird garden in a container.
For those of you who have think you have no space at all, look up!
Hanging containers or window boxes are a great option for those short on garden space.
Whether you have small garden space or simply want to increase the amount of hummingbirds visiting your existing garden – creating a mini-hummingbird garden in a container is a great way to do it.
Let’s get started.
Here are the elements of a hummingbird container garden:
LOCATION:
– Select a location that receives at least 6 hours of sun a day.
– Group containers together for greater color impact, which increases the chances of hummingbird visits.
– Place containers in areas where you can view the visiting hummingbirds such as an entry, near a window or a back patio.
– Make sure that the containers are visible and allow easy access for hummingbirds to fly in and out.
CONTAINERS:
– The type of container isn’t important – but drainage is. Make sure pots have holes for drainage.
– Select colorful pots for a welcome splash of color (optional).
– Larger pots will stay moister longer, therefore needing to be water less frequently.
SOIL:
– Use a planting mix (not potting soil), which is specially formulated for container plants since it holds onto just the right amount of moisture without becoming soggy like potting soil can.
– For large containers, save money on expensive planting mix (soil) by filling the bottom third of the container with recycled plastic water bottles and/or milk jugs.
WHAT PLANT WHERE?
While hummingbirds don’t care how you arrange plants in your mini-hummingbird garden
– you can certainly arrange plants.
– Place the tallest plant in the center, surrounded with medium-sized filler plants interspersed with trailing ground covers.
This planter has the tallest plant (Salvia) located in the center with mid-sized purple coneflower next to it with ‘Wave’ petunias spilling over the outside.
Grab my FREE guide for Fuss-Free Plants that thrive in a hot, dry climate!
COLOR:
A hummingbird’s favorite color is red, although they will visit flowers of all colors as long as they are rich in nectar.
However, let’s explore color in regards to creating a beautiful container and figuring out what color combos look best.
To this, we will need to visit our friend, the color wheel.
– To achieve a soft blending of colors, select plants with flower colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.
– For a striking contrast, pair flowers with colors that occur on opposite ends of the color wheel.
HUMMINGBIRD ATTRACTING PLANTS:
Salvia coccinea
– Hummingbirds are drawn to flowers that have a tubular shape.
Hummingbird feeding from the yellow flower of aloe vera.
– The color red is their favorite, but as stated earlier, they will visit flowers of all colors.
Young hummingbird feeding from a lantana flower.
– They tend to prefer flowers with little to no fragrance since their sense of smell is poor.
– Plants belonging to the Salvia genus are all very popular with hummingbirds and are a safe choice when creating a hummingbird container garden.
Soap aloe flowers.
– Flowering succulents are also often visited by hummingbirds as well.
Rufous hummingbird feeding from the flower of a red hot poker plant.
– There are helpful online resources with lists of plants that attract hummingbirds. Here are two helpful ones:
– Other helpful resources are your local botanical garden, master gardener or nursery professional.
Another bonus to planting hummingbird attracting plants is that many of the same flowers attract butterflies too.
CARE:
The key to maintaining healthy container plants lies in proper watering and fertilizing.
Let’s look at watering first:
– Water containers when the top 2 inches of soil are barely moist. You can stick your finger into the soil to determine how dry the soil is.
– Water until the water flows out the bottom of the container.
– The frequency of watering will vary seasonally.
Fertilizing is important for container plants – even plants that don’t normally require fertilizer when planted in the ground will need it if in a container.
– Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer, which lasts 3 months.
The key to maintaining healthy container plants lies in proper watering and fertilizing.
Let’s look at watering first:
– Water containers when the top 2 inches of soil are barely moist. You can stick your finger into the soil to determine how dry the soil is.
– Water until the water flows out the bottom of the container.
– The frequency of watering will vary seasonally.
Fertilizing is important for container plants – even plants that don’t normally require fertilizer when planted in the ground will need it if in a container.
– Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer, which lasts 3 months.
Don’t be afraid to look outside the box when it comes to what can be used as a container.
An old wheelbarrow makes a great container after a making a few holes in the bottom for drainage. *While marigolds don’t attract hummingbirds, there are a few dianthus in this planter that do.
Hummingbirds love water!
Add a water feature in a container that will surely attract nearby hummingbirds.
Add places for hummingbirds to perch nearby or within the container itself.
This little black-chinned hummingbird was perfectly at home perching on a lady’s slipper (Pedilanthus macrocarpus) stem that was growing in a container.
You can always add a small, dead tree branch within the container itself for a convenient perching spot.
As you can see, the amount (or lack of) garden space doesn’t need to limit your ability to attract hummingbirds using beautiful, flowering plants.
****************************
I spoke about small space gardening at the Hummingbird Festival 2015, and it was an unforgettable experience, filled with educational talks, beautiful gardens and observing hummingbirds up close – I even got to hold one! To read more about my adventures with hummingbirds, click here.
I hope that you are inspired to create your own mini-hummingbird habitat in a container.
**Do you have a favorite plant that attracts lots of hummingbirds? Please share them in the comments section.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hummingbird_ocotillo_flowerApr12C20112C12-05PM.jpg406640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2017-08-03 05:00:002022-10-02 03:21:04Create a Hummingbird Garden in a Container
Imagine a garden with containers filled with a variety of colorful flowers, herbs, ornamental grasses, succulents and even vegetables.
Wouldn’t you love to have pots that look like this, overflowing with beautiful plants?
But, what if you live in the desert? Can you grow plants in pots that aren’t just beautiful but that can thrive in our hot, dry climate?
Believe it or not, you can. Whether your container garden is limited to one pot or several – you can grow plants in pots in the desert garden.
Now before you say, “I’ve got a black thumb…everything I plant in pots die”, I have a great resource for you.
“Getting Potted In The Desert” is a wonderful resource that shows you step-by-step instructions on how to create beautiful potted gardens that will thrive in our desert climate.
While you can find other books that offer helpful advice on how to create potted gardens, “Getting Potted In The Desert” speaks specifically to those of us who live and garden in the desert Southwest where our hot, dry summers bring about special challenges.
Beyond the helpful advice on selecting containers and the right location, the book also talks about plant choices including flowering annuals, perennials, grasses, herbs, succulents and vegetables.
Clear and easy to understand guidelines are given on how to water, fertilize and how to adjust to changing weather conditions including freezing temperatures.
What’s even better, the guidelines are broken up into monthly guides, making growing plants in pots, easy.
Lists of plants that do well in the desert container garden are also given along with lovely photographs of pots filled with plants, which will inspire you.
Herb Container Garden
The author, Marylee Pangman, has over 20 years of experience growing potted plants in the desert. In fact, she is a certified Master Gardener and had her own company, “The Contained Gardener”, where she designed and maintained container gardens for clients.
In addition, she has taught numerous classes on growing potted gardens that can withstand hot summers and desert winters.
Flower and Vegetable Container Garden
As a horticulturist who has planted and maintained container gardens over the years, I can tell you that Marylee’s book is a godsend for those who love container gardening and need practical guidance.
You can order your own copy of “Getting Potted In The Desert” and find out more about Marylee at www.potteddesert.com
*I was provided with a free copy of this book for my honest review.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/colorful_containers_penstemon_Sedona_garden.jpg640613arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2015-09-28 13:30:002022-10-22 10:56:00Container Gardening Book Review: “Getting Potted In The Desert”
I am always on the lookout for new ways to display annual flowers. I’ll do anything from transforming old, antiques into planters to using brightly-colored containers.
On a recent visit to the Green Bay Botanical Gardens in Wisconsin, I saw this creative use of an old, decaying tree trunk…
What a great example of a sustainable flower ‘pot’.
The depression within the tree trunk held just enough potting soil for the flowers to grow in.
Seeing this made me wonder what other items that we find in nature that we can use as planters.
Any ideas?
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/old-branch-as-flower-planter-2.jpg6561024arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2014-06-25 15:30:002022-11-09 00:19:44Growing Annuals: An Unusual Flower Container
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