a bit of an end - of - summer audit

The garden basically survived the heat and the drought of this record - breaking summer. As expected, there were a few losses - becoming opportunities to plant truly tough heat loving plants.

Lambs Ears - Stachys lanata -  struggled but survived.

Common Sage did fine in full sun, needing no supplementary watering.

Native grasses like different species of Lomandra and Poa are able survivors for increasing temperatures.

Diggers Speedwell - Veronica perfoliata - did really well left to its own devices.

Plumbago auriculata, used to the burning South African sun, soaks it up in its adopted home. Problem is, it's a bit too vigorous. I've been basically trying to espalier these plants against the fence. Don't try this - it doesn't work! They like to take up room.

Rosemary - providing structure to the garden, the colour green to contrast with blues and greys, and flavour for potatoes, mushrooms and many other foods. This is a perfect plant for hot dry summers.

Different kinds of Euphorbia - this one is E. rigida - grow in the garden. All have proved to be suitable  for a dry garden and high temperatures.

I'm still searching for a structure and plants that work in some parts of the garden, but I'll never tire of the Santolina edging around a circular path. Closeup it looks like coral.

Hellebores. Do a deal with them. Keep them in the shade, and they'll cause no trouble.

I'm continually amazed at the toughness of wallflowers. These are orange. They budded in the heat, and flowered soon afterward.

Remarkable ornamental comfrey need shade. As long as they get shade, they seem to be incredibly resilient. In the heat they shrivel up, but in the evening they recover.

I've planted a few varieties of scented geraniums. This one's lemon. My other favorite is coconut. They're sun and heat loving, and can be used for drinks.

Indigofera Australis. I planted a few in a semi shaded spot and watered them in. They just made themselves at home and grew and grew. They are at home, they're indigenous to Melbourne.

Poor possum possibly died of thirst. Or maybe it was attacked by a cat.

The chirpy, darting little Brown Thornbills have returned. I still haven't managed to photograph them - they're so fast - so this photo is from Wikipedia.



Thornbills mainly feed on insects, so I imagine they'll be pleased I set up this kitsch little house to welcome more insects to the garden..



I don't know if anybody's home in the insect house, but it looks like insects or spiders have moved into what was originally intended as a nesting place for small birds.



This summer damselflies returned to the garden, not seeming to mind the heat. They're generally found near freshwater habitats, but each year I find them in my garden even though I have no pond.



Beth, of Plant Postings blog, reminded me that this post fits into her meme for garden lessons learned at the end of each season. Learning which plants survive is hugely important learning. Check out what other gardeners have learned at Beth's blog.


Potter gets rather tired in the heat. She generally finds a comfortable garden bed for a snooze in the sun.