Flowers in the Hot Sunshine of July

Hot sunshine of July arrives

 There was little doubt the sun would eventually arrive, must have been saving up as it burst on the stage in the high ‘Thirties’ centigrade. The heat saw the roses off in a couple of days after four weeks of perfection and wonderful aromas. Have cheated a little by keeping half a dozen roses growing in pots, which with feed, water and shade should pay their way for the rest of the summer.

 

Red rose in pot behind cascades of fuchsias, geraniums, Busy Lizzies,and a Hydrangea

all in shade

With the high temperature and humidity up in the 90 per cents, now is the time the  numerous Brazilian plants common in Portugal really get going, from ultra vivid coloured forest floor Impatiens, Cockspur Devil Dart bushes(Erythrina) in crimson, to twenty feet high flame orange trumpet vines (campsis). These S.American imports just thrive on heat, humidity, feed and water.

Coral vine (erythrina)  in flower

Campsis (this one is yellow) scrambling through a rambling rose

The flowers on the Indian Bean trees (Catalpa) have been quite amazing this year. We planted  five trees for summer shade on the ‘Veg’ terrace five years ago, the leaves are very large and parasol’ish, they're now twenty feet high and were  full of white and mauve sweet smelling flowers. The Catalpa is also very easy to weave into shady pergolas and does not object to being ‘flat top’ pollarded. This always astonishes your non gardening friends as it would seem you have an army of eighteenth century gardeners in your back pocket.

Lovely flowers of the Catalpa (Indian Bean tree)

The plants on the patio look a bit droopy - drinkies would seem appropriate.

Must dash, see you soon.

Stuart.