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A few ideas for some tough, heat-loving plants: Vitex or Chaste plant can grow as a large shrub or can be trained into a small tree. The blossoms which appear in July are a bright lavender blue and the plant is extremely drought tolerant.


Vitex

The genus Berberis or barberry offers several varieties sporting handsome red-purple leaves throughout the summer. Smallest is "Crimson Pygmy;" then there's "Rosy Glow," about 4 to 5 feet and the very dramatic "Purple Cloak" growing to 6 feet or taller.And one more addition to dark-leaved, drought tolerant shrubs is the Cotinus coggyria or Smoke Tree.

Cotinus coggyria
Summer has some lovely flowering trees; two of the lovliest are the Chitalpa with pink or white blossoms and the Cercidium 'Desert Museum'. The Chitalpa is a newcomer in the plant world. The Catalpa tree was crossed with the Chilopsis shrub and voila! Choose a standard or multi-trunk variety. The Cercidium has small delicate leaves and unusual bright yellow flowers. Both trees are well adapted to our climates and require minimal irrigation.


Cercidium 'Desert Museum'

July is the month when daylilies do their thing. Very reliable perennial perfomers they bloom in colors of yellow, gold, orange, red, maroon, mauve and cream. Plant them now when they're in bloom.

Hydrangeas are the showiest shrub for the shade

Summertime abounds with fruits and flowers The Pomegranate has both - colorful blossoms and bright, healthy fruit! Additionally, pomegranate trees require very minimal care and water, once established. We have a great selection at this time - over 10 different varieties and the price is right - just $19.00

We received some lovely new Talavera pottery from Mexico and whimsical yard art as well - stone and metal peacocks, ants, ladybugs, shell turtles and more.

Last call for vegetables! We still have squash - green and yellow zucchini, crookneck, corn, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, swiss chard and cucumbers. Here's a zesty way to enjoy your home grown cucumbers:

Thai cucumber salad
Combine 1 cup of seasoned rice vinegar, 1/2 C. water, 1/4 C. sugar, 1/4 t. ground turmeric, 1 crushed clove garlic and 1/2 t. salt. Heat to melt sugar (the micro-wave works well). Peel and slice thin 1 large cucumber, chop finely 1 small red onion or 2 shallots, 2 fresh red or green Serrano chillies or 1 Jalapeno chilli pepper (can substitute dried chili peppers). Mix and refrigerate.

Grasses are among the easiest garden plants, most of them requiring minimal water and maintenance. The above plant is Chondropetalum, classified as a Restio, a separate category from a grass, but sharing many of the same characteristics. There are several varieties originating in Australia and South Africa. The Chondropetalum is quite adaptable as it can grow in the ground with little irrigation or rest on the shelf of your pond with constantly moist roots. It also make an excellent container plant. We have three species of this genus - tectorum, elephantinum and El Campo. All of these are evergreen..

Carex sparkler

An unusual and dramatic grass for the shade is the above Carex - Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler.' The Carex genus encompasses many types of grasses for sun and shade. A real beauty for the sun is Carex testacea - the bronzy leaves shimmer in the sun
.

Carex testacea

The name for this grass shouldn't discourage you from trying it! It's quite beautiful all year long. Plant in sun or part shade.


Stipa arundinacea or
Anamanthele lessioniana

New wall art

Although the bare root season is long past, we can still offer you fruit trees, grapes and berries. "Sunshine Blue" blueberry makes a great container plant; the berries are delicious and it's quite ornamental.. The grape vines below are ready to be planted; check out the clusters of grapes!