We have had oppressive heat in Oakland since Sunday. Catherine tells me that the high temperatures are a news item in the New Jersey papers The valley and the ranch are in triple digits.
Nothing died while I was away four days, although one erigeron is still on the critical list. The aptenia is a pleasant surprise, spreading beautifully with only minimal water.
In the evening I soaked all the plants. The newly planted gold lantana is flourishing. The oleanders in the front are blooming – the heat of the summer appears to be their time to swing into action. I do not need to be shy about pruning them this coming fall. The butterfly bushes are fulfilling their promise, long stalks with the blue brush flowers at the top of the garden.
A Year at the Snake 