Summer in Oklahoma: It's SO Hot Outside...

.... that the chickens are laying hard-boiled eggs!

... that corn is popping on the stalk!

... that the fire hydrants are chasing down the dogs!

... that the cows are giving evaporated milk!

Okay, these are getting a little ridiculous, I admit it.
The point, obviously, is that it is HOT OUTSIDE this summer in Oklahoma!   Of course, this summer is no different than any summer in Oklahoma - it gets hot and stays hot, and the plants begin to wilt and brown and go dormant and die.
What's the use of trying to have a lovely garden in Oklahoma in the summer?!

Actually this is only partially true.

Will Rogers Gardens, OKC - Sweet Potato Vine, Crape Myrtles,
Cannas, Castor Bean Plant, and etc.

The secret to gardening in Oklahoma summers is to have the right plants, usually perennials.
And there are surprising number of plants that will not only survive Oklahoma summers but also THRIVE and blossom!

I've been trying to start early and finish early while gardening in this crazy heat and humidity.  I find myself dripping and wilting by about 9 AM every day.
Today was a short gardening day... by the time the drips started just before 9 AM, I was finishing up the job.  Since the day was overcast (but still so humid), I decided to do a little photography in the garden of my client and then in a botanical garden near my home.

I think I walked around shooting photos for about 20 minutes, and by the time I was done, I was DONE!  It amazed me to feel the way I did - absolutely overcome by the humidity - when the flowers around me were so fresh and bright and loving the heat!

For those of you who have wondered what to plant in Oklahoma gardens that will thrive in the summer, here is a visual list of some of the plants I see time and again in the gardens of my clients - they always seem to do well in our heat, and most of them survive our Oklahoma winters and come back the next year, strong as ever.

I'm not sure about other areas, but if your weather is similar to Oklahoma, these might work for your garden too.

From here on out, I'll let the plants speak for themselves, and I'll just include the names of the plants.

Jenn's Garden - Black-eyed Susan

For the record, I took all of these photos today either in Will Rogers Gardens (a botanical garden in Oklahoma City) or in the garden of my friend Ida Pulaweed.  (Actually her name is Jennifer, but she did not necessarily care one way or the other if her name was put up in lights for all to see.) 

Jenn's Garden - Cyrpres Vine

Jenn's Garden - Hyrdrangea, Cyrpress Vine, Petunia

Will Rogers Gardens - Purple Heart & Dwarf Daylily

Will Rogers Gardens - Lantana & Ornamental Grass

Will Rogers Gardens - Sedum/Stonecrop

Will Rogers Gardens - Canna

Will Rogers Gardens - Caladium (shade-loving) and Nandina

Will Rogers Gardens - Cleome 

Will Rogers Gardens - Zinnia

Will Rogers Gardens - Crape Myrtle
(good old Oklahoma standby)

...also in pale purple

... or white

...or hot pink

Will Rogers Gardens - Texas Red Yucca &
Purple Heart

Will Rogers Gardens - Portulaca/ Rose Moss

This is the end of the visual list but by no means is it the end of the list of plants that absolutely thrive in and love Oklahoma summer heat!

Before I sign off and go eat some ice cream to cool off, let me ask you if that last plant looks or sounds familiar?
Remember "Pursy"?  A Love Song to Purslane?
(no, it's not an obscure long-lost song from the Beatles)

Rose Moss Portulaca is the ornamental form of the common "weed" form of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)...the edible weed!  Check out the blog post to find out more.  It's yummy!

Here's one final parting shot of some of the temporary residents of Will Rogers Gardens who also don't mind the heat...

Okay, ice cream calls!  Time to brave the heat and drive home.

Happy gardening this summer, wherever your summer garden may be!
(and for those in the Southern hemisphere - happy winter gardening!)

A Love Song to Purslane

Oh Pursy...

How do I love you?
Let me count the ways...

Okay, I'll stop right there before I begin plagiarizing Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnets From the Portuguese 43.

Purslane with tiny beautiful flowers that open for a very short time every day.

Really though (all you Americans pay attention now)... have you ever stopped to consider the beautiful and prolific Purslane growing under your foot?

I'm sure the Europeans and Mexicans and Aussies and etc reading this post will say, "yes, Purslane is yummy and so nutritious!"

Americans are probably saying "you mean that weed I can't seem to get rid of that takes over my garden every summer?  It's EDIBLE?"

Yes!!

Not only that but it is one of the most nutritious vegetables you can eat!  And every part of it is edible... even the tiny thousands of black seeds are edible.

Go ahead.... I know you want to... you cannot contain your curiosity.  Go ahead and Google "Purslane edible" or "buy Purslane" or "how to use Purslane".  You'll be amazed!

Do I have your attention yet?  Good!  And since now is the perfect time to consider Portulaca oleracea - otherwise known as Purslane, at its prime in the heat of summer (unless you live in the Southern hemisphere), get out there and get to looking around for some Purslane to salvage, pamper, and propagate!

You should be able to find it just about anywhere - definitely everywhere in Oklahoma.  Look for a low-growing, radiating from central point, succulent plant with a red tint to the stems and clear liquid when the stems are broken open.  It could be/should be/most likely will be found growing in cracks in sidewalks, in dusty isolated lots, wedged in between plants in gardens, forcing its way in to just about every unused inch of space.

Before you start stuffing this on-purpose "weed" into your mouth, be ABSOLUTELY sure it is NOT the dangerous imposter, highly poisonous, known as Spurge.

Spurge is NOT a succulent. Spurge has white milky liquid when the leaves are broken.  But Spurge can make itself look like Purslane at first glance, with the same small oval green leaves and radiating growth pattern.  Spurge is poisonous!!  Do not eat!!

Purslane - clear liquid when broken - GOOD!

Spurge- milky liquid when broken - BAD!

Let's take a look at some photos for plant-identification practice...

Here is an example of Purslane taking every available inch... in the foreground growing in the crack between sidewalk and border, on the left growing in the bed  with the sedum.  The sedum (another succulent - not sure about how edible it is) can be seen mostly on the right and center in the photo.  Can you tell the difference?

Here is a look at a Spurge plant growing in the dry Oklahoma dirt.

Notice the radiating pattern and the red tint to the stems.

Can you tell the difference between this plant and the Purslane above?




Look below for one more practice photo.










This photo has Spurge and Purslane growing intermingled.  

Can you tell which is which?
Can you spot the Spurge?

Just remember.... 
"Spurge = scourge... 
                   Do NOT eat!"

One more sample of Purslane.  This one is growing from the crack in the sidewalk just outside my apartment.

Remember, both Purslane and Spurge can have a red tint to the stem.

If unsure, break off a piece.
Milky liquid? DO NOT EAT!

Clear liquid?  Enjoy!

And if you shake a stem over your hand, Purslane should release lots of tiny black seeds.

Oh, I almost forgot!

Here's one more fun look at Purslane.
It is one plant growing from the side drain hole in a container.
I've been harvesting from it regularly, but it just grows and grows!

Do you recognize the baby plant in the top of the container?

It's Medjie!
(from a previous post - "Shh...The Elephants Are Sleeping!")

See how much he has grown?!
And still so cute!


So...are you convinced yet?
What's not to love about Purslane!?

Now that I've been writing about it, I'm having a craving for some Purslane with scrambled eggs and cheese and tomatoes.

If you'll excuse me - I need to step outside and do a little harvesting....

Happy eating those wonderful edible weeds!