In Living Color

“… with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald

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Why do we love summer so much? If you responded, summer is the season of fun in the sun with camping, picnics, festivals, barbecues, swimming, boating, beaches, and plenty of outdoor activities, you’d be correct. As an avid gardener, I want to add another reason that I adore summer: the sumptuous sunshine transforms gardens into vibrant living canvases of color and vitality.

Look around the local landscapes. What is in bloom? What fruits and vegetables are ready or almost ready to harvest? Summer gardens are a kaleidoscope of vibrancy with textures, scents, and patterns that only nature could conceive. In my garden, rose, lily, hollyhock, lavender, Passionflower, four o’clock, sunflower, star jasmine, bougainvillea, abelia, acanthus, snapdragon, gladiola, lantana, clematis, salvia, coreopsis, yarrow, daisy, and magnolia pop against the backdrop of multi-hued greenery.

The cherries are delicious, and I picked two big bowls before the birds harvested their bounty. My fingertips are purple from plucking juicy mulberries from the gigantic tree.

When the crows moved in, the doves flew off, but not before two big bucks stationed themselves under the low-hanging branches to savor a supper. They didn’t seem to mind that I was dining nearby. Plums and stone fruits are ripening; apples and pears are growing appropriately. Blossoms abound on the squash plants, cornstalks reach for the sky, herbs flourish, and it won’t be long before tomatoes grace my salads.

Sunlight in summer is direct and intense. The increased light enhances the color effervescence. Flowers, fruits, and foliage appear more vivid as plants reflect their full spectrum of colors. In other months, when the light is dimmer, colors are not as rich and bright as in summer. The longer days and abundant sunlight increase photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light into energy. The pigment of green, which is chlorophyll, and the pigments of red, purple, and blue, which are anthocyanins, are more active and visible, producing colorful flowers and foliage.

Most flowering plants are programmed to bloom in summer when they receive maximum sunlight. The warm temperatures encourage growth and flower production. The bright spectrum of colors attracts pollinators, making birds, bees, and butterflies active. If you have plenty of tubular-type flowers, you won’t need hummingbird feeders, as hummingbirds will be flitting from flower to flower, consuming the nectar and small insects. Because we spend so much time enjoying the outdoors in summer, many gardeners choose and plant varieties that will enhance their patios and yards.

Want to enjoy a summer of living color? Add these plants to your garden.

Hollyhock

Echinacea

Penstemon

Yarrow

Coreopsis

Four O’clock

Gaillardia

Salvia

Rose

Gladiola

Sunflower

Bougainvillea

Clarkia

Ceanothus

Lantana

Butterfly Bush

Zinna

Marigold

Petunia

Cosmos

Lavender

Lily

Daisy

Climate conditions, ground maintenance, and personal decoration align to support summer’s abundant flowering and fruiting, inviting us to enjoy our time outside in nature. Life unfolds as a movie in summer, as the garden is saturated in living color.

Cynthia Brian’s Goddess Gardener Guide for July

WATERING is critical during summer. To not waste water, be alert to your garden’s needs. Water in the early morning or evening deeply yet infrequently. Containers, citrus, young trees, and new plantings may need additional water.

MOW lawns with a sharp blade to a height of 3.5 inches to maximize roots and shade the soil. This will prevent weed seeds, such as crab grass and other annual weeds, from sprouting.

CHECK the irrigation system for leaks or clogs.

MULCH to retain the soil moisture around plants. Two to four inches is recommended.

WEED regularly because weeds steal the nutrients and moisture from other plants.

DEADHEAD roses and other perennials or annuals to encourage more blooms.

PINCH back herbs that begin to flower, like basil and cilantro, to prevent bolting. The flowers are edible.

MONITOR for pests. Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies can be managed with insecticidal soap and a strong water spray.

HARVEST vegetables as they ripen to promote continued production.

THIN fruit on trees if branches are overloaded to avoid breakage.

STAKE tall bloomers like gladiolus and dahlias.

WATCH for signs of sunburn or water stress. Signs include dry edges and leaf curl.

SHADE sensitive plants with a shade cloth.

CLEAN birdbaths and feeders.

CONTACT Honey Homes for a reliable handyman. Use this code for a $250 discount: projects. Rates are reasonable, and with this code, you’ll get a great discount https://honeyh.me/eXEn

APPLY plenty of sunscreen, wear a hat, and sunglasses while gardening to protect your skin and eyes.

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing! Happy Summer!

For more gardening advice for all seasons, check out Growing with the Goddess Gardenerat https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/books. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach, as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3, which was just honored as the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce. https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org.. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at https://www.StarStyleRadio.com.

Her best-selling children’s series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, is available at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store. New book coming this FALL

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com https://www.CynthiaBrian.com

StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/in-living-color?