Good thing summer in the temperate zones is just one season. Aftereffects of the heat wave continue to emerge, with yellowing, damaged foliage of grass, perennials, and woody plants still cycling through.
Meanwhile, hot and steamy July days — moderated by thunderstorms and weather systems that only seem to add to the steaminess — create lush, jungly conditions. The exuberant growth shooting upward and outward, mimicking tropical growth, is top-heavy. Ensuing downpours then flatten plants, and it is time to add support or staking.
Nonetheless, rain is a blessing. Whether a sign of hope, or merely a delay of the inevitable, sick beeches appear to have received a boost from it, with new leaves appearing.
Mid-July sees the miraculous but not always welcome hatch of numerous insect families. Again, good thing summer in the temperate zones is only a season.
Mosquitoes are with us, bigtime. Flies never miss a chance to multiply and annoy. Spiders’ egg sacs ripen and release the live myriad spiderlings. The first oriental beetle is seen on the bush beans, and the first hungry, green cabbage caterpillars are eating their way through the kale leaves.
Hydrangea love, cont’d
While mophead hydrangeas seem to be the M.V. plants of the hour, other members of the family deserve a look too.
The scale of the herbaceous perennial Deinanthe, D. bifida, and D. caerulea, and their hybrids is bold, with hydrangea-like foliage topped by delicate blue or pink flowers. About two by two feet in size, deinanthes make good subjects for shady beds with moisture-retentive soil, and supply contrasting textures.
Variegated lacecap hydrangeas, H. macrophylla ‘Maculata,’ are another personal favorite, a compact form that lights up shady corners with frosty effects. White, sterile flowers surround either pink or blue fertile ones, and are set off by the distinct white-leaf margins. It is slightly less hardy than other hydrangeas, and may require winter protection unless ideally sited.
On the subject of hydrangeas, follow the link to North Carolina State University’s Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, which offers good information for growing mophead hydrangeas, and lists cultivars: bit.ly/NCSU_hydrangeas.
Water-wise
Increasingly, our plantings and gardens must evolve in water-wise ways. Being lectured is so tiresome — but remember, all our water comes from the sky. The Island’s water supplies and aquifer are replenished only by rainfall, and are not inexhaustible. There is no nearby fallback river or huge reservoir to draw from.
Bigleaf hydrangea performs best in areas with dappled sunlight, partial shade, or deep shade. Protect it from afternoon sun. It is tolerant of both clay and sandy soil, and has some salt tolerance. Plant it in a site with good drainage, but occasionally wet soil is OK. Do any pruning before August 1.
If they are to be sustainable, effective plantings must be able to survive on their own after the initial establishment period. This is one of the advantages of using native plants and “right plant/right place” design: replacing the habitat that has been lost to development. A useful tool is the Polly Hill Plantfinder, at plantfinder.pollyhillarboretum.org, which helps to winnow plant choices to Island-suitable ones.
We are OK, so far, if water resources are used mindfully. Used foolishly — then we are not OK. This applies to inappropriate expanses of irrigated lawn, or continuously thirsty hydrangeas, or any other planting that could not otherwise exist on its own.
Plant the so-called “thirsty” plants, such as hydrangeas, in the dappled shade they prefer, where they remain cooler, transpiring less moisture. Or utilize them in swale plantings that would retain some of the downpours, like last week’s.
Pipsissewa
Speaking of habitats that have been lost to development: Be on the lookout for the diminutive pipsissewa, blooming now in Island woodlands that have not suffered clearing. Such intricate plants, only a few inches tall!
Formerly frequent in dry oak Island forest, the four known Island species of the little cuties in the Chimaphila and Pyrola are becoming scarce throughout their former ranges, here and in mainland North America (bit.ly/NPT_chimaphila).
Porch town
Oak Bluffs is a porch town. It can seem there is nothing sweeter than a porch’s shelter of an evening, or during a summer downpour. Porches invite street and community life, the slowing down to an old-time pace, and the decoration of planters and hanging baskets.
In addition to tidying up the inevitable “fuchsia drop” of hanging fuchsia baskets, keeping hangers hydrated and fertilized to support their appearance is a continuous effort, especially in hot weather.
“Blue water” seems an unavoidable necessity; containers are not comparable to in-ground organic gardens. However, in addition to ‘‘blue water,’’ liquid seaweed and other preparations such as Thrive are great support for hanging planters.
Many basket annuals such as petunia, angelonia, fuchsia, lantana, and verbena are hummingbird magnets; keep them deadheaded. Supertunias, million bells, and scaevola need little other than occasional shortening, in addition to water and liquid feeds.
While caring for outdoor hanging plants, be aware that wrens or other small birds such as house finches and sparrows seek them out as safe and comfy nesting sites. (Warning: Parent birds deposit nestlings’ fecal sacs in the most inconvenient places.)
Pedestrians in Oak Bluffs neighborhoods are likely oblivious to the investment and effort porch déecor requires, but get the visual pleasure. When you see a showstopper, be sure to complement the owners if encountering them on their porches.
Don’t scratch — investigate
Destroying our Island environment and extirpating its biome in pursuit of tick control defies the precautionary principle. In fact, that may actually intensify the problem, according to Homegrown National Park. Follow the discussion, “Biodiversity Protects,” at bit.ly/HNP_biodiversity — and tick check every night.