Let It Grow
By Tammy Thornton
After last week’s insufferable heat wave, your garden may be waving a wilted white flag of surrender. Though the recent heat was extreme, midsummer temperatures often test the limits of your garden. But you don’t have to resign yourself to a garden of cacti and tumbleweed to get through the dog days of summer. Taking certain measures to protect your garden, plus adding heat-loving and drought-resistant plants can allow you to have a lush and colorful garden that will enjoy basking in the sun.
First of all you must understand your plants’ needs. Some of us may think of “summer” flowers and picture exotic tropical flowers. While that may be true to an extent, a tropical rain forest is not just hot, but wet and humid. Often, the only light the plants receive is dappled sun coming through the leaves of trees. Many sun-loving perennials in our area may enjoy hot days but would die from that type of humidity. On the other hand, a long period of drought can wreak havoc on the garden. Though established perennials can handle a small amount of drought, too much stress will cause them to have less blooms, brown leaves, and even throw them into dormancy. Stressed plants are also more susceptible to diseases like powdery mildew. Annuals also suffer under prolonged dry spells. They will often “bolt”, call it quits, and go to seed.
You can take a few steps to help your plants through a heatwave or drought. When you water your garden, water slowly and deeply and, therefore, less frequently. But make sure the soil is well-draining so you aren’t causing root rot. Water early in the morning so that the plant has time to absorb water before it evaporates in the afternoon sun. If possible, don’t wait until evening; you may create the humid conditions that cause dreaded powdery mildew. Not merely unsightly, powdery mildew can also cause serious damage to the plant. If you must water at night, water at ground level so the leaves aren’t wet through the night. Another way to help protect your plants during dry spells is by mulching to conserve water and protect the roots. This will also cut down on the splashing of soil on the leaves, which will help prevent soil-borne diseases. If parts of your plant show distress or have died off, prune that part so that the plant isn’t wasting energy trying to revive dead leaves and stems. Though you don’t want to transplant during a heat wave, move hanging baskets and potted plants that are showing distress to a partly shady section of the garden until the intense heat has passed. Give them an extra drink of water since they dry out more quickly than plants in the ground. Make notes and consider moving perennials in early fall or spring to a section of the garden that is not in direct sunlight, so they will be better protected next summer.
Choose plants that love the heat and sun, but don’t plant them when it’s hot. Newly planted flowers need to establish their roots before being exposed to midsummer temperatures. For colorful flowers that are easy to grow from seed and love full sun, plant zinnias in mid-spring. They will add a pop of color to the garden and attract butterflies and other pollinators while laughing at the heat. For perennials that love hot summer days, plant purple coneflower, butterfly weed, salvia, coreopsis, liatris, bee balm, catmint (nepeta), black-eyed Susans (rudbeckia), verbena, trumpet vine, Shasta daisy, and garden phlox (to name a few). Annuals can keep the garden looking alive by filling in spots where other flowers have waned. Use these heat-loving annuals: lantana, hibiscus, calibrachoa, angelonia, petunia, moon flower vine, marigold, caladium, blanket flower (gaillardia), cosmos, and of course, sunflowers.
For a truly drought-tolerant garden, use plants that would be well-suited to the conditions of a Mediterranean garden. These are the real tough guys of the garden; they require minimal watering, don’t need pampering, and are happiest in poor soil (organically speaking). Just make sure they are well-drained. Plants that fall into this category are lavender, Perovskia (Russian sage), rosemary, yarrow, prickly pear, portulaca (moss rose), sea holly, artemisia, yucca, sedum, bougainvillea, succulents, and rose campion. Some of these extra drought-tolerant plants have tell-tale signs to show their ability to withstand dry spells. Like camels in the desert, succulents store water for times of drought. You can recognize them by their thick stems and fleshy leaves. Other types of drought-tolerant plants may be identified by a waxy coating on the leaves, prickly leaves, narrow leaves, or silvery, gray, or bluish foliage.
With a little extra effort, you can help your garden through the hottest parts of the summer. Use heat-loving and drought-tolerant plants, giving them a good well-drained morning soaking when needed. Apply mulch to protect roots and conserve water. Prune damaged leaves and stems to allow the plant to save its energy. Then make yourself a nice glass of iced tea with mint from the garden, sit back, and enjoy the summer beauty you have created.
Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.
