tootoo52

Honeysuckle Flower As I walk through the nursery jotting down summer blooming plants I’m flooded with memories. Growing up in the nursery brings all kinds of pictures to mind. You see, my mom and dad bought their first nursery in June some 45 years ago. I was in fifth grade. My brother, sister and I spent many a summer in the back of the nursery building “forts” and playing on the canning pile. As we spent every summer there we of course became familiar with all the flowers in our back yard. People ask every day what blooms in Bakersfield in the summer. My answer: a lot!Starting out with annuals: Celsia, Salvia, Vinca, Marigolds, Cosmos, Petunias (spray for bud worms), Zinnas (love those little star zinnias), Black Eyed Susan Vines, Impatients, Begonias, Gartenmeister Fushia, Allysum, Portulaca and Pentas. These plants will bloom off and on all summer up until the weather gets cold. When you first plant them you must water often. Most of these come in small packs with small root balls, hence you must water two to three times a day until they get established. Once established with a good root system, only water them when the ground is dry. Also feed them once a month for healthy plants and lots of flowers. Shrubs and perennials that give color in the summer are many: plumbago, day lilies, agapanthus, red fountain grass, kangaroo paw, lantana (many new varieties), morea iris, coreopsis, solanum, bidens, salvia (many different varieties), Mexican primrose, cone flower, rudbeckia, lions tail, catmint, dahlias, lavender, lambs ear, yarrow, verbena, Bacopa, Cuphea, gazanias, Hypericum, Myoporum, stipa grass, oleander, bougainvillea, hibiscus, mallow, Cape honeysuckle, Rose of Sharon, Alstroemeria, pride of madeira, cactus, Rhodohypoxis, Zauschneria (grey foliage with orange flower), butterfly bush, geraniums, cistis, Cestrum, astilbe, coral bells, hydrangea, calla lily, Loropetulum, Scaevola, arctotis, Mexican marigold, gardenia, abelia, dwarf pomegranate, statice, silver lace vine, vinca minor, gerbera daisy, euryops daisy, Shasta daisy — the list could go on. Some trees and vines that are showing off for the summer are: crape myrtle, Vitex, jacaranda (can be frost sensitive), Madame Galen Trumpet Vine (what a show of orange — wow!), bougainvillea, star jasmine, mandevilla, Pandora jasmine, Solanum vine, oleander tree, Rose of Sharon (hardy hibiscus), Southern magnolia, silver lace vine, honeysuckle and trumpet honeysuckle. All this color comes from the flowers, and we haven’t even discussed foliage color — that will have to be another article. Again the same principles when planting in the heat are applicable: pay special attention until roots are established. Be sure to hand water in the early morning, and each and every newly planted plant must be checked! Do not depend solely on the sprinklers to get your plants through the transition period from container to the ground. Always mulch around the plant, when you dig the hole twice as big as the root ball use a 50-50 mix of mulch and native soil. Don’t plant any deeper than it was in the container, and make a water well at soil level so the water can trickle down to the root ball. Remember that in Bakersfield heat I do not recommend breaking the root ball! Don’t disturb the plant any more than you have to. The less stress experienced, the less shock the plant will incur. Hopefully these plant lists can spark your interest and get you to try something new. All of these plants can add to the appeal of your yard in the summer while we’re out using our yards. Like for me, planting all this color can help bring good memories of Bakersfield summers. I am truly blessed to have been able to hang out in a beautiful environment all these years. What memories!