By Tammy Thornton
Even sun lovers found the latest heat wave to be almost unbearable. Some of my plants were too weak to raise their weary heads, and I think I saw a few attempting to wave a little white flag. South Jersey is home to weather extremes, with bouts of 90’s in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter. But a little precaution and good planting methods can help your plants survive excessive ranges of weather.
Mulching protects plants from both heat and cold. It will help the soil retain its moisture and keep plants from drying out in the summer, and will also provide insulation from the cold in the winter.
When possible, plant your flowers directly in the ground as opposed to pots. Your plants will not dry out as quickly and can establish deeper roots. Spring and fall are the best times to plant perennials in the garden. This will give the plants time to grow deep roots before the extreme temperatures of heat or cold arrive. Our plants are like us–the more deeply we are rooted, the better prepared we will be to face life’s difficulties.
If you choose to use pots, water those plants more frequently, especially if the pots are unglazed, like terracotta. In the winter, potted plants will be more vulnerable to freezing temperatures, and the pots themselves can crack from fluctuations in the weather. Lavender is one of my favorite plants, but it can be very fussy. A native to the dry Mediterranean, this is one plant that would do well in a terracotta pot in the summer. It hates to have soggy soil and must dry out between waterings. Add a layer of gravel to the bottom of the pot to aid in drainage.
Heat and sun-loving tropical plants will feel right at home during July and August in South Jersey. Plant tropical annuals such as hibiscus, lantana, and—one of my favorites for its blue flowers—plumbago. Zinnias, petunias, and verbena also love the summer sun and all of these flowers will attract beautiful butterflies to your garden.
When temperatures reach the 90’s like the heat wave we just experienced, water more frequently. Even if you are using a sprinkler system, you may need to give plants a second watering each day to keep up with such high temperatures.
Drought resistant plants are good choices for hot South Jersey summers. Succulents such as sedum are known for their ability to store water. They prefer drier conditions and will rot from overwatering. Autumn Joy sedum can be enjoyed in the summer for its foliage. But as its name implies, it will bloom in fall, attracting butterflies when summer bloomers have faded. Prickly Pear Cactus looks like it belongs in the desert, but some varieties are cold-hardy enough for our area. It’s a real beauty when the cheery yellow flowers open. Because it is extremely drought tolerant, even in the summer, it only needs to be watered every two to four weeks. Bougainvillea also thrives in hot conditions and dry soil. In Southern California, its bright, colorful flowers (bracts) can be seen cascading over walls with abandon. They will not flourish if overwatered, and are said to bloom when water is withheld. Sadly, they are not frost tolerant and cannot survive our cold winters, so must be treated as annuals.
Enjoy the hot weather while it lasts, even if it is a bit extreme. Soon enough, winter will return, and both we and our plants will be longing for sunnier days. Though we normally prefer things to be comfortable and easy, perhaps we can take a cue from our drought tolerant friends. They thrive in extreme conditions, and when the heat is turned up, that’s when they bloom and reveal their true nature.
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.
