Saturday, August 27, 2016

Betwixt and Between

lagerstroemia, indica, dynamite, crape myrtle, crepe myrtle, small sunny garden, amy myers, photography, desert garden, summer bloom, august
The weather is changing just in time for the August pick of favorites from the garden.  This is bringing some plants into focus that had been half-asleep through most of summer.  Especially Gaura.
Gaura, oenothera, lindheimeri, pink, small sunny garden, amy myers, photography, desert garden, summer bloom, august
My noID pink Gaura was sold simply as the species (now Oenothera lindheimeri).
Of course, it has produced the occasional spindly bloom, much stem to little flower, throughout the season; but with an increase in humidity, lower temperatures, and ongoing short bursts of rain, it is exploding into life again.
Gaura, oenothera, lindheimeri, pink, small sunny garden, amy myers, photography, desert garden, summer bloom, august
It is planted next to a much more reliable mid-summer bloomer, Lagerstroemia indica "Dynamite", a Crape Myrtle with brilliant crimson bloom.  Eventually the latter should overarch the former, but at present the Lagerstroemia is still the smaller plant.  Which is not saying much - I had no idea the Gaura would grow to five feet tall and wide, least of all under desert conditions!  It is crowding everything around it now.  I'm wondering whether I should have cut the bloom stems back at the end of spring, or would that completely sacrifice autumn bloom...?  Any information welcome!
Gaura, oenothera, lindheimeri, pink, small sunny garden, amy myers, photography, desert garden, summer bloom, august
This part of the garden is looking more than a little ragged as August draws to a close, but it saw a high plant survival rate over summer - very gratifying to the gardener!
Here is a close-up of the Lagerstroemia flowers.  I don't want to let August pass without a tip of the hat to this magnificent plant, which has bloomed faithfully and luxuriantly through all the worst parts of a long desert summer.
Gaura, oenothera, lindheimeri, pink, small sunny garden, amy myers, photography, desert garden, summer bloom, august, lagerstroemia indica, dynamite, crape myrtle, crepe myrtle
Although I will have to deal with the crowding at some point, I love the combination of the two plants, especially during this period of overlapping bloom.  I look forward to perhaps a month of having them blooming together, after which there will be autumn leaf color from the Lagerstroemia.
Gaura, oenothera, lindheimeri, pink, small sunny garden, amy myers, photography, desert garden, summer bloom, august, lagerstroemia indica, dynamite, crape myrtle, crepe myrtle
It's worth noting that, in one sense, they make excellent neighbors here.  Although drought-tolerant, the Crape Myrtle receives a bit of extra irrigation to keep the splendid bloom going, and the Gaura survives mostly just on that.  (Desert gardeners please note: I say mostly, not entirely!)  Perhaps it would have bloomed a little earlier if it had gotten more water for itself, though I think it was the intense heat that kept it quiet.

In the meantime, these are the August choices from my garden.  September should see everything waking up even more.  Thanks to Loree for hosting the Friday Favs at The Danger Garden!
Gaura, oenothera, lindheimeri, pink, small sunny garden, amy myers, photography, desert garden, summer bloom, august
Weather Diary: Fair with occasional rain showers; High: 96 F (36 C)/Low: 79 F (26 C); Humidity: 26%-65%


10 comments:

  1. A lovely combination and that's two "fav" votes for L. 'Dynamite' (the other one here: http://pieceofeden.blogspot.com/2016/08/favorite-plant-august-2016.html) I wonder why your foliage isn't as dark?

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    1. It's such a great plant... ;-) I think the foliage on mine is about the same; the lighter leaves in the foreground are from a rose bush the dog had just plowed into! I've not seen anything like the black foliage of HB's other red crape myrtle - really gorgeous, and I could so use some of that leaf color!

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  2. The Gaura and the Lagerstroemia look marvelous together! I cut my Gaura back by about half in July, mainly because they'd become scraggly and were suffering an aphid infestation. They haven't bloomed much yet but they do have new flower spikes so I hope I'll get another bloom cycle within a month or so. The crape myrtle's performance under desert conditions is impressive. If you haven't already seen it, you may want to check out Hoover Boo's favorites post at Piece of Eden for a view of what your myrtle is going to look like when she grows up.

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    1. I was thrilled looking at Hoover Boo's post, Kris! I wonder how long it will take to get that big... ;-) I'll definitely see about cutting the Gaura back again. It made sense to cut it nearly to the ground late last winter, but I haven't done anything since, and it looks like it needs it!

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  3. I love the pink gaura. What a shame she doesn't have a name!

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    1. Isn't it?! When I realized it wasn't the species, I tried searching online, only to discover that there are a lot of pink cultivars. I'm not sure I can distinguish, but it would certainly be one of the larger ones! ;-)

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  4. August is apparently the month for 'Dynamite'. :)

    Most beautiful photos! You got the fluffy detail of the flowers, golden stamens, and the bokeh in the 1st/2nd/5th is an added beauty. Enjoyed the photos and enjoyed seeing your 'Dynamite'. The show will be even better next year, and the year after. Do give it summer water--they are low-water, but not no-water.

    When I grew Gaura I cut it back whenever it looked ratty, and it would bounce back afresh every time.

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    1. I didn't want to let summer go withough giving "Dynamite" its due! So glad you enjoyed the photos; the gaura flowers made for fun pink bokeh effects ;-) And thanks for the info on cutting it back; I'm still not used to having to make those decisions more than once a year!

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  5. Amazing growth and colour considering your growing conditions. I like picture number four, it all looks very natural (Not ragged).

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    1. Thanks, Brian - that helps put it in perspective! :)

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