As politicos vie for seats, I sit in the garden

“Arranging a bowl of flowers in the morning can give a sense of quiet in a crowded day … “ – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” – Willie Nelson

The pace has quickened in Laguna. Perhaps the longer shadows of August have made the days appear more crowded. It is indeed a political season of intrigue, with an incumbent withdrawing, firemen protesting, and property rights often lost in a sea of neighbor concern.

Ignoring the negative, I choose to espouse the virtues of horticulture in August, and share plant lore with anyone within earshot.

The late summer garden is about reward, with many flowering perennials reaching the peak of their floral displays. It is true; bringing flowers indoors can give one a little space before the start of a busy day, just ask Catharine.

I am often asked the name of the bright red, trailing plant that cascades over the stone in our front garden. It is Russelia equisetiformis, or Coral Fountain. Jana Ruzicka introduced it to me more than 20 years ago. The flowers look like miniature firecrackers, and bloom the entire year. It is a favorite of the hummingbirds that grace our landscape.

Initially inspired by Enya, I introduced the China rose “Mutabilis” into the garden 15 years ago. Not a long time, for a species rose that dates back 2,500 years. Buds begin copper-yellow, and then fade to pink as they open. At maturity, the petals turn a soft crimson. Always in bloom and resistive to insects and disease, “Mutabilis” is my favorite rose.

The tall, purple spikes of “Verbena bonariensis” fill the background of our garden. The airy stems can reach a height of six feet. Nestled below them are “Erigeron karvinskianus”, the Santa Barbara Daisy. It is a graceful trailing plant, with attractive, daisy-like flower heads. Both plants make interesting cut flowers in a vase.

Under the canopy of the peppermint tree, the Japanese anemone, “Anemone hybrida”, has begun to set buds. It is a wonderful bloomer for the fall. Plants reach 2 to 4 feet, with pink, white and rose-colored blossoms. The star-shaped flowers of Campanula poscharskyana, Serbian Bellfower, complement the anemone. Blooming in white and blue, this vigorous groundcover is perfect in shaded rock gardens.

The ubiquitous daylily, “hemerocallis hybrids,” is seen throughout our garden. A great cut flower, it would be difficult to find a tougher or more pest-free plant. I am partial to the dwarf varieties, which are available in salmon, pinks, and whites.

Although I appreciate the cooler temperatures, the hours of sunlight are also dwindling, leaving many garden tasks undone at day’s end.

Chasing after worms, deadheading the azaleas, and re-staking the tomatoes need to be addressed. However, like our City Manager, Ken Frank, I choose to accentuate the positives, while acknowledging that there is always more to accomplish. And, after all, the Laguna weekend experience allows time for gardening, while avoiding the inevitable congestion! See you next time.