So true Lyn, and that is why living in our area with baking hot days always in summer, I have learned to plant those that are not too water needy. Have more on succulents and drought tolerant plants. I just enjoy the plants elsewhere when I see them nearer to Bay area where temps are more cordial to the plants. But I do have some orchids, which I just have to choose which ones are temperate enough to survive here...but whatever type of plant we have...anytime it goes beyond 95F..it is just a survival of the toughest. We can only do as much mulching or watering.
I used to lament that my garden gets too shaded in summer, I realize now, that shade is the only thing that is really helping my plants endure the heat we have. So now I am okay with it. Then I see that I still manage to get late blooms in Fall, so one last chance to enjoy some of my bloomers, before they rest again in winter. Our friendly city trees, love their shade in summer, though we get a lot of leaf drop when it really gets hot..and then cold weather dormancy ...more leaf drop..oh well..just the way they grow, so got to live with it.
There is one plant I tried this year - Caladiums- prize I got in our raffle here in ATP, which I thought initially will not like it since our humidity here is too poor...and surprisingly it is really doing well in this heat as long as I keep it moist. True heat lovers they are..as long as they have a good drink
Amazing big leaves! I think I will repeat them again next year.
