Before we "meet" again, it will officially be summer! Let's welcome the season with colorful flowers, tropical vibes, and tasty tomatoes straight from the garden. Or, get your hands dirty and create a pollinator hangout right in your own backyard. Grab a cool drink and enjoy!
Is your summer garden lacking color? Well, not anymore! Check out this list of 20 hot summer flowers, from angelonia to zinnia, including choices for full sun to shade and zones 3 through 12. Add a few of these stunning summer bloomers and your garden will be bursting with color!
Celebrate National Pollinator Week
Need a great weekend project to celebrate National Pollinator Week (June 20-26)? Designate an area of your garden specifically for pollinators! Below, we have some helpful resources on how attract these beneficial visitors into your garden. Pictured: Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly on blazing star (Liatris spicata).
See Pollinator.org for more information on National Pollinator Week and activities in your area.
Create Your Own Tropical Paradise
If beachside dining in a tropical location isn't in your immediate future, create your own tropical getaway with plants. Fill an entire border or just a container or two with plants such as caladiums, cannas, lantana, and sweet potato vine to give your surroundings a tropical vacation vibe. Grab yourself an umbrella drink and learn more about the 10 common elements of tropical gardens.
8 Reasons Why Your Hydrangeas Aren't Blooming
If you're disappointed because your hydrangeas aren't blooming—either not blooming at all or just not up to par—you're not alone. There are a number of reasons this can happen, so it's important to figure out what's causing your lack of flowers. Check out these 8 common reasons your hydrangeas aren't blooming.
If you've ever tasted a fresh homegrown tomato, you know there's no comparison to store-bought. There are so many kinds of tomatoes to grow, from large beefsteaks to bite-size cherry tomatoes, as well as varieties that are perfectly sized for growing in pots. Learn more about how to grow and enjoy your own fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes this summer.
More on growing tomatoes:
Summer is definitely on its way here in Southern California. If the temps are heating up where you are too, make sure you're paying attention to your plants' water needs and providing some much-needed afternoon shade. Even when a plant tag says "full sun," sometimes it can be too much. A plant that can take a full day of sun in Seattle may not do as well farther south, so keep an eye out for plants (people & pets, too!) that are becoming heat stressed.
Happy gardening!
-Linda
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