SUMMER ENDLESS COLOR$

Summer in Splashing Colors

Despite the discomfort of summer heat, the colorful hydrangeas against the block wall provides a cool  refreshing effect throughout the walkways.  Like a kid in a candy store, there so many colors to choose from... don't know which one to pick first because they are all so delightful and cheerful to the senses.  Can't wait to plant more.

The fuchsias and the hydrangeas on  the left side of the third garage continues to attract and impress passerby with its continuing prolific blooms from $pring through $ummer.











The hibiscus trees can grow more than 7 feet tall unless they are properly pruned each year to control its vigorous growth during summer.  The large double blooms (see below) hang on long sturdy branches which not only provide the much needed protection from the hot afternoon sun for the fuchsias and hydrangeas below them but also create a nice canopy for a pleasant afternoon stroll along its pathway.  This is part of our "multi-tier" gardening - with different floral display simultaneously - hibiscus above the head, fuchsias at eye level, and the hydrangeas below the waistline.

These huge pink blooms of the hibiscus tree complement the bicolor fuchsia (pink sepals with purple petals) and provide striking contrast to the blue and white hydrangeas below them. Although the blooms lasted only for a day or two, but their continuous and abundant blooming throughout summer give the garden a "tropical" feel - almost like being in an exotic island in the Pacific.

DELIGHTFUL DAHLIA$

The delightful dahlias are among the last of the summer bulbs to bloom but the long wait is worth it.

The bicolor spider dahlia (bright pink with yellow center) is a knockout of all the bulbs.

The yellow dinner plate size dahlia has the largest bloom among the summer bulbs -  it provides a focal point in the middle of the garden against the white and blue lilies of the nile floating in the background.
How can one miss this one without expressing a huge compliment to this gigantic attraction?  Get your smartphone ready and click away! It's a $uper$tar!

   HYDRANGEA PANICULATA

LIMELIGHT  is one the late blooming hydrangeas that provides a vibrant and unique color from mid-summer through early autumn.  While all other hydrangea blooms (in the background) starting to fade,  this one produces a bright chartreuse color that complete the colorful spectrum of the rainbow in the garden.  Look almost like cotton candy from afar, it draws you closer and makes you want to touch and feel its delicate and dainty petals. 

Heavenly Hydrangeas in Summer

$ummer is almost here and the long wait is over.  Considered as the "highlights" of our little garden, these hydrangeas make its dramatic entry in late spring as the daylight stretches longer and the weather gets warmer.

Blue, blue, my world is blue ...

Sounds like an old silly sad song, but not when you're looking at these gigantic balls of blue florets. In fact, they're here to chase our "blues" away.  Just like watching the fireworks of 4th of July, they burst and explode with colorful blooms throughout the garden and walkways.

 

These hydrangeas were planted on both sides of our front yard (by the driveway) to create a joyful welcome to everyone.  Adding aluminum sulfate (such as True Blue, sold at Green Thumbs) will helps lower the soil pH and produce blue flowers.  Who knew that from a single parent plant (right), we were able to propagate as many as 20 plants all around the garden.  This one will tolerate some heat during the hot summer months by watering them twice a day - early morning and before noon. The intense direct sunlight in the afternoon  and relatively low humidity will cause these blooms and leaves to wilt.  But by sundown, they will fully recover if there is adequate moisture in the soil.  Otherwise, the leaves and its delicate blooms will burn and become crispy from loss of too much water due to the heat.

Alkaline soil (with higher pH) helps hydrangea to maintain its bright pink color, without any hint of blue or purple on its edges.  To increase its pH level, simply add Garden Lime (available at any nursery) around the soil and water well.

 

To enjoy their colorful display both inside the house and outside, simply plant them near the window.  Also, planting different varieties (different shades/colors) in group makes it more interesting when they start blooming at the same time.  All they need is water, a little fertilizers in early spring and of course, morning sun and afternoon shade.  Pruning them in late fall (once the blooming season is over) or in winter will help control the height you  wanted for next season. 

  

Double Hydrangea (You-Me series, below) exhibits large prolific blooms, some rounded and some star-shaped.  Their colors will also change (pink, blue, or purple) by controlling the soil ph.  

Hydrangea in any other colors (pink, red, purple, or white) is just as appealing and beautiful as their blue counterpart.  Planting them together in smaller groups create a symphony of colorful display that harmonize with their surrounding shrubs in the garden.  And regardless of its colors, we love them all!

Throughout summer, the fuchsias will continue to bloom and provide afternoon shade to the hydrangeas below.  Last year, we hired someone to cut the concrete floor and extended the flower bed against this dull wall so we can plant more hydrangeas, fuchsias, and hibiscus.  Now, we can simply enjoy this view directly from our windows or go outside and stroll along the walkway.  Planning and a little hard work is the key to a $ucce$$ful and colorful garden.     




Coming soon! The multi-tier $howcase featuring the tall double pink hibiscus (shown right, with preview of a single bloom) above the fuchsias, and the hydrangeas beneath it.  Together, they will exhibit a colorful display from June to October.  Other attractions from the other side include the dahlias, gladiolas, jasmines, and gardenias.

 

Splendiferous Spring of Succes$

ROSES & IRISES

At last, $pring is finally here again.  The white Hybrid Roses (J.F. Kennedy) and miniature white roses greet everyone at the front yard while the yellow Dutch Irises proudly stand guard in front of the newly painted iron fence.

Even though we divided and reduced most of the bulbs last fall (due to overcrowding), but still they came back a plenty this spring.  These irises never fail to impress us every year.    They fill the front gate (right) and behind the gate (below) with exquisite blooms and provide perfect match to its surrounding white and pink miniature roses.    

The once dominant and colorful freesias (now, in hibernation) bowed out graciously and made way for the cheerful blooms of white and pink miniature roses (these are from cuttings) as they lined up on the sides of our front walkway - cordially inviting everyone. 

Welcome and enjoy the $un, the $ight, and the $mell.  Nothing more relaxing and rewarding than spending the day wandering around our little garden of $ucce$$. 

The FASCINATION OF FUCHSIAS

Fuchsias Fusion (Spring of 2013)

The fuchsias are exploding with exquisite blooms that put the dull block wall to shame.  The combination of contrasting radiant colors is what make them so amazingly attractive.  Each fully opened bloom look like a little ballerina dancing in the air.  Though it doesn't have any fragrance, but the sight of it is just as intricate enough for anyone to take a second closer look.

As these upright fuchsias (above) continue its arrogant display of colors, the double hydrangeas beneath them are getting ready to compete and outperform its predecessors with its own fiery burst of bountiful bouquets during late spring through summer (May through September).   It's a perfect match - the fuchsias provide shade to these delicate hydrangeas against the hot afternoon sun.  Together they will put up an elaborate show that only pictures can justify its indescribable beauty and sight.

FRUIT TREES

GROWING YOUR OWN FRUITS

NECTARINE

There is nothing more rewarding than picking the fresh ripe fruit straight from your own backyard.  These decidious trees will bloom during spring (left, nectarine), like cherry blossoms.  And in the summer, the tree will be overloaded with fruits.  Therefore, we usually prune out the smaller branches and twigs during dormancy to prevent overcrowding and breakage of branches.  Adequate watering after flowering will help the fruits to get bigger and juicier.  Stop watering once the fruits are getting ready to ripe and the sweetness process will begin before you pick them.  

The only problem with nectarines, peaches, and apricots - the fruits ripe almost all at the same time - and if you don't pick them right away, they will start to drop and rot on the ground.   

PERSIMMON (Giant Fuyu)

By November, these giant fuyu persimmons (right) are welcomed treats and desserts, right in time for Thanksgiving.  A single tree will produce about 300-500 fruit each season.  Birds and squirrels are some of the animals that will get their fair share of your harvest - so pick them early before they get them ahead of you.    

LEMON

In California, every garden should have at least one lemon tree - we have four (two Eureka and two Meyers).  These lemon trees will produce tons (literally) of lemons each year non-stop - regardless of the season.  Each wondrous fruit will cling on its branches for as long as 6 months - so there's no rush to pick them until you're ready to use them (for lemonade, marinade, baking, or simply squeezing them while washing and rinsing your dishes and pans).  As decor, put them on display in a tall big glass and they will last for a month or two.

Welcome the Spring of 2013

Despite its short blooming season, nothing is more rewarding than the long-awaited huge PEONY bloom (left) that perk up the garden each spring, year after year. Each bloom is as big as the open palm of my hand.   The tissue paper-like petals are very delicate so we have to cut the blooms right away and place them on a vase to prevent the strong splash of water from the automatic sprinklers shortening the life of these exotic blooms.

After a very short break (dormant period) during late winter, the FUCHSIAS (below) are now loaded with thousands of buds that can not wait to burst its fusion of contrasting colors that filled the scenery as we walk through the garden each day.  These hardworking plants will continue to bloom till winter and will never fail to impress.  It provides an endless and striking display of vivid colors. 

These vigorous upright FUCHSIAS (left), along the side of our garage, continue to attract hummingbirds and cheer up by-passers who will stop and pause to enjoy their endless blossoms.  Morning sun and afternoon shade provide adequate light that keeps these active plants to continue producing thousands of eager and impatient buds throught the year.

The bright color blooms of  KALANCHOE (below) lasted for several months (February through April).  These are from the cuttings we planted last year and now it's almost time to prune them again.  Wonder what we're going to do with all these cuttings?  Guess we're running out of space to plant them. 

The double golden yellow KALANCHOE (right, in pots) filled our kitchen window outside with awesome colors for several months!  The double deep orange KALANCHOE (below, in tuscany urn) greets you by the patio door.  So, whether you're going out or coming in the house, these wonderful succulents will surely put a smile in your face.  Make you want to stare at them the whole day and sing "What a wonderful world".  Oh, yeah...

  

These cheerful FREESIAS(right) is at the very end of its blooming season (February-March) but still their captivating sweet fragrance fill the early morning air along the walkway.

BLUE CLEMATIS

One of our favorite spring flower is the purple-blue clematis (below) that clings itself on the tropical hisbicus while it is still dormant.  Once the clematis is done with its dramatic role, the double pink hisbicus will take over during summer till early winter.

Ever wonder why they called this the BIRD OF PARADISE?  Well, look like these birds are ready to take off, but they're not going anywhere.  They're here to stay and even when they're gone in summer - they'll fly back again next spring. - faithfully on the same spot.

Gardenias bring fragrance to the garden (and inside the house too when you cut and bring them inside) like no other flowering shrubs.  Here in Southern California, it requires afternoon shade or the buds will either get burned or will drop prematurely.  Also, need to keep the soil evenly moist during the hot dry summer season.  It's very fuzzy about its location but once it got established, a little TLC will reward you with its elegant pure white fragrant blooms from spring to summer.