TRY THIS
Create your own drought-toleran t border using four easy plants. Combine Mexican bush sage, muhly grass, 'Miss Huff' lantana, and 'Star White'
narrow-leaf. |
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DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS THAT
LOVE THE HEAT
Blackfoot or star daisy
(Melampodium sp.)
blanket flower
(Gaillardia x grandifolia)
lantana
(Lantana sp.)
Mexican bush sage
(Salvia leucantha)
narrow-leaf zinnia
(Zinnia angustifolia)
portulaca
(Portulaca grandiflora)
threadleaf
coreopsis
(Coreopsis verticillata)
verbena
(Verbena hybrids)
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Each spring, we can hardly wait for summer to arrive. But then, around
the Fourth of July, the love affair turns sour. The South gets hot. But just
because you retreat indoors doesn't mean that your garden has to look abandoned. Plant
these heat-loving flowers (see box at right) by the first week of June, and your
neighbors will want to know your secret. You'll only have to water them every
other week, and most thrive with little or no fertilizer.
Prepare the Soil
Before you select the first plant, take a look at the soil. Now is the time
to amend with organic matter such as compost, soil conditioner, or decomposed
chopped leaves. These materials improve drainage and enable the plants to utilize
water. Well-prepared beds help plants to become established faster and get them
ready for the hot, dry days ahead.
Water and Mulch
Once your plants are in place, water regularly early on to establish good root systems. When hot weather hits, you'll have to
do so only periodically. Remember to water slowly, close to the ground, and infrequently. A soaker hose or drip system puts
moisture right where it needs to be--on the ground. If you water close to the soil, you'll have less evaporation, fewer
diseases such as powdery mildew, and a lower water bill.
Don't forget to mulch. It conserves soil moisture, reduces weeds, and looks pretty.
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| above, left: Easygoing
blanket flowers thrive on heat and neglect.
above, right: The restful purple and lavendar tones of 'Homestead Purple'
and 'Abbeville' verbena contrast perfectly with sunny yellow 'Zagreb' threadleaf
coreopsis. |
Blooms Sources:
Star daisies are available from Select Seeds, 1-800-684-0395
or www.selectseeds.com (O).
Blackfoot daisies are available from Plants of the Southwest, 1-800-788-7333
or www.plantsofthesouthwest.com
(O). Muhly grass can be purchased from Wayside Gardens.
This article is from the March 2005 issue of Southern Living.
