One of the tidiest, most low-maintenance plants in my garden, Silene uniflora ‘Druett’s Variegated’ (catchfly). It’s also very amiable: by the end of the season, the absolute brute that is my Engleman ivy will have flopped and clambered all over it. No power struggle between these two – they’re like drunken buddies after a long night out. “I love you, man.” “No – I love YOU.”
I’ve been planting and watering my new babies like a madwoman…we had some rain earlier this week but it moistened only the top inch or so of soil. I’m hearing that in the north, some farmers who had their crops wiped out by a late frost are not replanting because of the drought. “Heat stress” might be the catchword of the summer, as we’re looking forward to some long hot weeks ahead. I have always tried for mostly drought-tolerant plants because we don’t have a good watering system at the apartment I’m lazy and cannot be bothered to water – I hope I’ve made the right choices that will see the garden through. Calgary is seriously arid, anyway – that rain shadow cast by the Rocky Mountains is pretty immense. It’s something we have to take into consideration when we plant. Or we should, anyway.
My other gardening news: it looks like we’re finally on track to build a pergola for the community garden, a project I’ve been involved with since late last year. Hopefully within a month or so I’ll be able to show photos.
I attended a container planting workshop held by the Calgary Horticultural Society last night and was introduced to the decidedly-non-Prairie-denizen dwarf papyrus (Cyperus profiler) – I was one of only a few gardeners in the room who were not familiar with it, so I guess that shows how little I’ve been out in the garden centres as of late (granted, I don’t plant more than one or two containers a year). Apparently the papyrus sucks back water like no one’s business, which doesn’t really conform to my aforementioned gardening practices, but it’s so funky I will lug water for it daily if I have to. (Please excuse the photo – I took it this morning in brilliant sunshine).
What’s new in your garden this week? What are your plans for this weekend (gardening or otherwise)? I hope it’s a great one for you!
Flowery Prose 
We are also struggling with heat and lack of rain, but what makes it more difficult is a constant wind that helps dry up the ground. I have managed to group most of my containers within hosepipe range, but the garden itself has to survive without! I love the look of that Papyrus.To answer your questions, I have two new Lemon Verbenas in my garden and I’m going to pick elderflowers tomorrow for cordial. 🙂 (I think the combination in a glass full of ice cubes will be heaven in our heatwave!) Have a great weekend Sheryl!
Oh, yes, the elderflower cordial sounds absolutely lovely on a hot, windy day!
You are fortunate to be able to get lemon verbena plants – we struggle to even find seed for it here. Not sure why – it’s something I must research sometime.
I hope your weekend is fabulous!
It’s a plant not to be confused with Silene latifolia Poiret (aka White Cockle) – which you do not want in your garden. It drifted in from the field behind my HP house. Baaaad plant.
So true! It’s on the noxious weeds list for good reason…seriously difficult to get rid of.
I love the idea of the “drunken buddies” very funny! Love this silene, the non variegated version grows wild around here, very pretty.
The blooms look so delicate and fragile, but the plant is so tough – nice combination!
I have no idea of the plants you speak of but drunken buddies sounds familiar. 🙂 We are having record heat here in the Pacific Northwest and not a drop of rain anywhere. Have a wonderful weekend.
You don’t usually get drought like that there – strange weather everywhere, it seems. I hope your weekend is lovely as well!
Laughed out loud at the drunken buddies-metaphore! And what fun, to go to a conatiner planting workshop. I love reading garden blogs even more atm…not much going in mine, I am keeping low profile due to travel plans etc. Hows the wrist holding? xo Johanna
Yes, you definitely want to keep the garden low key so you don’t worry while traveling! 🙂
My wrist is improving steadily – I can do a lot more things now! Thanks so much for asking.
I hope you have a lovely, sunny week! 🙂
I had no idea that Sea Campion was a garden plant as well. I’m sure it is a lovely one; I’m always pleased to see it here growing wild. Not much happening here in the garden. When I get a few minutes I am out doing some tidying and weeding. Yesterday started out stormy with very heavy rain but the afternoon was heavenly – our first really warm day of the year. Today much cooler but still bright and sunny.
Hope the sunshine and warmth are continuing for you! Have a wonderful week!
Thank-you – you too!
I gardened all week so am taking some time off this weekend. 🙂 I took out an entire planting area, moved the plants, dug up, potted, and gave the trees to friends, weeded several beds, and then started the process of removing Pachysandra from an area. I’m tired. LOL
I love the Silene and what a great image the drunken buddies is. The Papyrus is gorgeous.
I think I’m really in love with the Papyrus…I can already see myself trying to overwinter it for next year. 🙂
I hope you’re having a great week so far!
Very interesting post
Thank you!
I love your referral to drunken buddies!
LOL they’re quite compatible, those two. 😉
We usually have more rain in the Northern Interior of BC but not this year. Not yet anyway. The Oriental poppies are starting to show their colourful heads this week. The Balloon flowers buds are getting bigger. Just to get rid of these darned spit bugs on their stems. The best way that I’ve found is to reach through the spit and squish the little buggers. Anybody found a better way. My stems are now spit bug free.
Jean
Ugh, I really dislike those spit bugs, too – that sounds like a good way to dispatch them. I bet your Oriental poppies look spectacular! They are such attractive blooms. Balloon flowers are gorgeous, as well. Enjoy your week in your garden! 🙂