Let’s face it, we got spoiled with last year’s summer! Unfortunately, this summer has returned its brutally hot, dry and sticky climates to us. Temperatures in the mid to high 90’s, radiating heat off parking pads and trapping it in our cars. Air conditioning turned up so high your hands become filled with condensation the second you step outside.
Just like these temperatures suck the life out of us, it can do the same for your landscape. However, there is good news! Even in the midst of the Midwest summer heat – some of the toughest growing conditions for plants – your landscape can still have an array of seasonal color, even in the toughest-to-grow locations.
Moisture Forgiving Plants
Unlike humans, plants don’t have a skeletal structure to help keep them erect. Typically, leafy plants depend on water pressure pumping through their roots and up into its stem and veins to keep them standing upright. But, when water becomes scarce during the summer months they begin to wilt.
Planting drought tolerant plants can make all the difference in your landscape. Plants that live in limited water environments grow barriers, such as tiny hairs or wax, to help them retain water and reduce the amount of evaporation or transpiration. For some plants, moisture from humid climates may be the majority, if not a plants sole source, of water. This in turn requires less watering time.
Plants such as succulents and natives are particularly drought-tolerant and can add color and dimension in your garden during these extreme weather climates. Great examples of moisture forgiving plants are portulaca, coneflowers, catmint, lantana, salvia, daylilies, hostas, peonies and veronica. Check out our seasonal color page for more information on each of these plants.
The best place to plant these hardy flowers are in areas that may come as a surprise to many. Parking lot islands, near asphalt or hardscape surfaces, in infrequently water pots, or areas lacking any sort of irrigation are ideal locations. Regular watering to these plants may actually be harmful to them.
Need A Pop of Color in Your Landscape? We Can Help!
At Bluegrass, we have specialists on site who can help provide your landscape with the proper plants for Missouri’s growing conditions! Trust our experts to deliver you a palate designed to stick out through any season. Call us at 314.770.2828 or fill out our simple contact us form today and let our team help your property make an impact!
