A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 103F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..
Cloudy. Low 79F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
Phyllis Webster earned a degree in journalism before embarking on a long career in public relations and marketing. A Granbury resident since 1998, she has been deeply involved in the community. She is an award-winning writer and photographer, as well as a Master Gardener. She has authored Garden Patch since 2001.
Considering our sky-high temperatures, you may be under water restrictions, which means cutting back on irrigation. There is no guarantee, but temporarily providing less water to lawns, shrubs and perennials likely means these plants will go dormant, not die.
On the other hand, annuals planted in the landscape will likely perish. So, if you crave seasonal color, try growing plants in containers. Keep a few pots on a shady, covered porch and remember to water the plants every day. Don’t be discouraged; think of this as an opportunity to experiment with new cultivars.
Years before plants arrive in your local nursery, they are grown, tested and evaluated in field trial gardens. Horticulturists observe how well a plant responds to climatic conditions, how pest resistant it is and the quality of its flowers, foliage, etc.
Professor Brent Pemberton of Texas A&M University says the following strong trial garden performers are destined for home and commercial landscapes: ‘Artist Blue’ flossflower (Ageratum) leads the pack of annuals. This heat tolerant plant produces small, fluffy, blue button-like flowers. Bees, birds and butterflies flock to this continuous bloomer, which does not require deadheading. It grows 8-12 inches tall with a mounding habit. For purple or white flowers, try “Artist Purple” or “Artist White.”
If you are a begonia fan, try the Double Up series in red, white, or pink. These vigorous annuals feature double flowers and dark bronze foliage. Double Up begonias are considered heat-tolerant. These continuous bloomers do not require deadheading. They are somewhat drought resistant but look better if watered regularly.
Not all annuals produce showy flowers. Some make a splash with colorful foliage, such as the many dazzling plants in the coleus ColorBlaze series. There are 16 members in this group, so finding a coleus with the traits you desire is easy. For instance, the red, yellow and orange variegated foliage of “El Brighto” has purple and red centers with yellow margins. “Golden Dreams” has chartreuse foliage with red veins. And “Torchlight” has fuchsia, maroon and green foliage.
Hybridizers continue to develop heat and drought tolerant sweet potato vines, such as the new SolarTowerseries in black (dark purple) and lime. They are the first climbing sweet potatoes. These new ornamental vines quickly achieve a 4-ft. height and spread. Give them a large container and a trellis to climb.
In hot conditions, it’s hard to beat vinca (periwinkles). Considered herbaceous perennials, these plants tolerate heat and drought, providing color in full sun to part shade. The “Cora” and “Cora XDR” series are considered more disease resistant than their predecessors and produce showy, star-shaped flowers in mixed colors. The vinca “Valiant” series is also disease resistant. Also look for new varieties of impatien, lantana, scaevola, torenia and zinnia.
For answers to your horticulture questions, please call the Texas AgriLife Extension, Hood County at 817-579-3280 or go online to visit lakegranburymastergardeners.org.
pwebsterco@gmail.com | 817-680-4849
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