Texas summers melt human beings! And it's going to get even hotter next month, ugh. So that's why I get up early in the morning to water my plants and do any yard work that needs to be done. Anytime past 9 am the sun and humidity threatens to do you in. I barely made it inside today and when I did I went straight to the sink to splash cold water on my face and neck, ugh. I'm used to gardening in So. Calif where I lived for 47 years before moving to Alabama and ultimately Texas. In So Cal it was hot but it was a dry heat, believe me it makes a huge difference in comfort levels. I used to garden all day long and it never bothered me a bit, but in Texas you really have to get out as early as possible or you could have a big problem on your hands, namely heat stroke!
Some plants thrive in the hot sun of Texas, like my Crape Myrtle trees.
These two trees were the only thing growing on this property when we moved in, along with some native oak and pine trees that were left to grow when the land was cleared for the house several decades ago. Actually there were four crape myrtles in total but I had two of them removed as they were planted way too close together. The two left are named Natchez, the white one and Tuscarora the pink one.
Other plants need shade from the hot sun especially in the afternoon when it's the hottest, like my Hydrangeas.
That is a Dear Delores Hydrangea and the tag said shade to part shade so that was an easy one. It's growing in a pot and I placed it where it gets filtered shade part of the day and shade the remainder.
I also have two Incrediball Hydrangeas and the tag said SUN, but obviously it didn't mean full sun for hot east Texas. In fact it should have said 'not anywhere near full sun if planting in east Texas'. I planted it where it gets about 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours late afternoon, The late afternoon part is where I went wrong. I must have forgotten where I lived, like a senior moment. It has not done well at all even with ample watering.I think something is wrong with them in addition to getting too much sun, they have stopped growing and the leaves look drab. I finally bought an umbrella to shade it in the hot afternoon hours so I hope it perks up soon. I wish I would have put it in a pot at first to see how it did instead of right in to the ground. In the fall I'll relocate it to a shadier area. I never had hydrangeas in Calif zone 9, too hot there, so I had no experience growing them.
My Impatiens are planted where they get morning sun even though they are recommended to be in shade. I do have to make sure they are watered daily or they'll wilt but so far they are thriving. The background plant with the bright yellow green leaves is Sunshine Ligustrum. I really like this plant a lot, it gives so much depth to the garden and is really super easy care. Just give it some water once in a while and it grows like a weed.
I fenced off an area under some pine and oak trees to make a shade garden. So far I have Autumn Fern, a couple hydrangeas and coleus growing there. I planted a crape myrtle which will shade some areas of it in late afternoon. I fenced it to keep my doggie out since he feels the entire backyard is his to fertilize, NOT.
This picture was taken from the top of the steps leading down in to the yard. I hope to plant some shrubs along that side fence to gain some privacy from our neighbors yard.
The fence was easy to put up, I got it from Home Depot, you just pound a stake in the ground, thread a post through the fencing and into the stake, easy plus I got it on sale. It's really sturdy too. If you're interested this is what I used.
Hampton Bay Empire Black Steel Fencing
I plan to expand it to encircle all the trees eventually. I love shade plants and especially hydrangeas so hopefully I get a little better with taking care of them.
Hope it's cooler where you are and if you have any hydrangea tips for me I would surely appreciate if you left them in the comments.
Toby says hello and he thanks all of you for your well wishes and prayers!
Some plants thrive in the hot sun of Texas, like my Crape Myrtle trees.
These two trees were the only thing growing on this property when we moved in, along with some native oak and pine trees that were left to grow when the land was cleared for the house several decades ago. Actually there were four crape myrtles in total but I had two of them removed as they were planted way too close together. The two left are named Natchez, the white one and Tuscarora the pink one.
Other plants need shade from the hot sun especially in the afternoon when it's the hottest, like my Hydrangeas.
That is a Dear Delores Hydrangea and the tag said shade to part shade so that was an easy one. It's growing in a pot and I placed it where it gets filtered shade part of the day and shade the remainder.
I also have two Incrediball Hydrangeas and the tag said SUN, but obviously it didn't mean full sun for hot east Texas. In fact it should have said 'not anywhere near full sun if planting in east Texas'. I planted it where it gets about 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours late afternoon, The late afternoon part is where I went wrong. I must have forgotten where I lived, like a senior moment. It has not done well at all even with ample watering.I think something is wrong with them in addition to getting too much sun, they have stopped growing and the leaves look drab. I finally bought an umbrella to shade it in the hot afternoon hours so I hope it perks up soon. I wish I would have put it in a pot at first to see how it did instead of right in to the ground. In the fall I'll relocate it to a shadier area. I never had hydrangeas in Calif zone 9, too hot there, so I had no experience growing them.
I fenced off an area under some pine and oak trees to make a shade garden. So far I have Autumn Fern, a couple hydrangeas and coleus growing there. I planted a crape myrtle which will shade some areas of it in late afternoon. I fenced it to keep my doggie out since he feels the entire backyard is his to fertilize, NOT.
This picture was taken from the top of the steps leading down in to the yard. I hope to plant some shrubs along that side fence to gain some privacy from our neighbors yard.
The fence was easy to put up, I got it from Home Depot, you just pound a stake in the ground, thread a post through the fencing and into the stake, easy plus I got it on sale. It's really sturdy too. If you're interested this is what I used.
Hampton Bay Empire Black Steel Fencing
Hope it's cooler where you are and if you have any hydrangea tips for me I would surely appreciate if you left them in the comments.
Toby says hello and he thanks all of you for your well wishes and prayers!
