xeric

Heat Stress Solutions for Landscape Plants

During the dog days, when rain is scarce and scorching is the order of the day, many plants will wilt and burn.  The summer sun brings blooms, but as temperatures climb to triple digits, it takes a toll on our gardens.

We can’t turn down the outside thermostat, but there are things you can do to help your garden weather the heat.

When it’s sweltering outside, our bodies sweat to cool off.  Plants sweat to cool off too, through a process called transpiration.  Transpiration is basically water movement through the plant and the resulting evaporation from the leaves, flowers and stems.  The plant takes water and minerals from the roots and sends it to the leaves.  In extreme heat, this loss of water can be devastating.  If the water loss isn’t made up by more replacement water in the soil, the plant will wilt and begin to decline.

Water right

How you water makes as much difference as how much you water.  Because most sprinklers lose a lot of water to evaporation, watering should be done in the predawn or early morning hours to prevent scorch and maximize the amount of water going directly to the plants.  Don’t be tempted to water more often.  Frequent light watering actually hurts plants, encouraging them to keep shallow roots.  Longer, less frequent watering develops deep roots — away from the hot soil surface – that require less water.

Drip irrigation provides the most efficient way to water.  Keeping water next to the plants and using minimal pressure, there is almost no evaporation or runoff with drip irrigation.  Because this method releases water so slowly, watering takes much longer, so make sure your plants are getting enough.  Ensure the hose is properly positioned – it should reach around the plant roots.

Of course, using rainwater is great when you can get it.  Plants always prefer natural rainwater to chemically treated tap water.  Whether you use rain barrels or buckets or a cistern, collect as much as you can.

And sometimes, even more water isn’t enough.  When we hit triple digits, hot is just plain hot.   In the scorching sun, plants can get sunburned just like we do.  Plant sunburn generally appears in the middle of the leaf because edges and leaf tips can dissipate heat better.  If your plants are burning, try to provide some temporary shade until temperatures come back down a little.

Mulch well

Any bare ground that is not mulched radiates heat directly onto your plants.  A good layer of wood much insulates the soil, reducing water loss from the soil surface and protecting plants against heat.  Mulch helps prevent evaporation and retains water to keep plant roots moist.  And, it also helps control weeds that also compete for any available water.

Don’t Fertilize

As you begin to see signs of stress in your plants, fertilizing them might seem like the thing to do.  Don’t.  Fertilizing them will push them to grow, adding even more stress.  The best plan is to feed them before the stress of summer, so they are better able to handle the heat when it soars.

Identify pests and disease

Keep an eye out for pest damage and plant disease at this time of year.  Plants already struggling with health issues will quickly succumb to heat and drought.  Check for detrimental insects often.  Look under leaves and inspect in the evening, when many pests are more active.  Be careful not to use chemical products that will hurt the beneficial insects in your garden that control pests naturally.

Other causes of stress in plants can be exacerbated by the heat. In my garden, late summer marks the onset of chlorosis in some plants.  Common in clay and limestone soils high in pH, this nutrient deficiency keeps plants from synthesizing the chlorophyll they need, causing leaf yellowing.  There are many causes of yellowing, including over and under watering.  Consult with your independent garden center if you’re unsure about the cause.

Top Tips to Handle the Heat

  1. Water deep and long
  2. Mulch well
  3. Don’t fertilize
  4. Address other stress issues
By |2020-08-21T09:32:05-05:00August 20th, 2020|Articles, mulch, water wise, weather, xeric|6 Comments

Contemporary, xeric garden showcased at Garden Bloggers Fling

As Pam Penick, Laura Wills and I planned the recent 2018 Garden Bloggers Fling in Austin, we aimed to showcase a wide variety of garden styles that would provide inspiration to participants.

Located in southwest Austin, this spacious garden highlighted many native and adapted plants in a stunning contemporary setting.

Armed with rain ponchos, 92 gardeners braved the rain, and it was well worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the vegetable garden, edibles and ornamentals spill out of contemporary Cor-Ten steel planters.

 

Using raised planters makes gardening much easier here in Central Texas, where our inhospitable clay and limestone soil presents a real challenge.

Even with regular amendments to the soil, the weather extremes of drought and flood here require serious elbow grease to bring forth vegetables without a raised bed.

While we were hoping for sunshine during our visit to this garden, the crops were relieved to have the rain.

 

 

 

 

Rain droplets on the yucca bloom add another dimension.

One of the quintessential plants of our region, the yucca provides structure, evergreen color and beautiful blooms in the garden.

The semi-soft form of the bloom provides a contrast to the seriously spiky leaves.

This one must have been missed by deer passersby, left for bloggers to admire.

 

 

 

 

 

But, when the inevitable heat and drought arrive, and the deer are searching for food, they love to nibble on these blooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The clean lines of the pool contrast with the soft and spiky collection of native plants beyond the edge.

We surveyed the garden under the watchful eye of this little guy.  I’m sure he wondered what all these people were doing in his garden while he was left inside.

I think he was ready to get his yard back to himself.

This clean and simple arrangement was the only decor on the patio overlooking the pool and the vista beyond, creating a lovely focal point.

Around the corner of the house, tucked away out of sight against a  wooded area, the gorilla awaits any intruders.

Or eager grandkids.

I imagine most little kids would be thrilled to share their secret hiding space with this big fella.

The perfect setting for some make-believe play, a collection of trucks and other toys are carefully parked, waiting for the next play day with King Kong.

A striking garden in a beautiful setting, this one was a real gem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hill country garden charm in the heart of San Antonio…

The last stop on our visit to San Antonio gardens was another xeric garden, filled with drought-tolerant plants, both soft and sculptural. You can come along on the first two gardens of tour with me to see Melody’s and Heather’s gardens here.

Then we toured the garden of Shirley, who blogs at  Rock, Oak, Deer.  I ‘d seen Shirley’s garden through her camera lens many times, yet when we arrived, I was surprised to find that she wasn’t gardening in the country, but in a suburban neighborhood.  Her style and plant choices created an oasis that made the rest of the world seem far away.

Well-placed plants serve to let the grasses and yuccas and perennials all shine.

Shirley uses repetition in her garden to create a dramatic effect.

Definition draws the eye through the space.

In the back yard, the focus is on perennials and grasses.  Her rustic shed with its cedar posts and porch make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.  The arbor on the right is the entry for a deer-proof fence, protecting delicate plants and vegetables from the curious and hungry deer.

Leading to the shed, this circle garden is filled to the brim with flowing perennials and grasses.

Her unique rock garden design is home to a lovely collection of yuccas, cacti and agaves.

Rustic art and pots are scattered about to add interest throughout the garden.

The river rock path guides you around the plant-filled stock tank and circle garden to the shed.

Garden art on a rustic table is tucked away in the shade.

Whimsical elements make true garden art from a simple grapevine.

A collection of sweet somethings brighten up the front of the shed.

Because deer are frequent guests to the back yard, extra protection for new or special plants is a must. This rough cedar fence fits right into the landscape.

Up on the the large, shady deck, succulent planters adorn the windowsills.

All around the deck, pots and paraphernalia bring color to the shady spots.

Even the outdoor fireplace boasts a collection of perky little pots.

Since we’ve toured Austin gardens often with Shirley, it was a special treat to wander through her garden with her.  The entire garden was intentional and peaceful.  She’s clearly mastered the art of gardening with the rocks, oaks and deer that she writes about.  Special thanks to Shirley and her husband for hosting us in your garden.

Another beautiful San Antonio garden to share…

The second stop on our recent visit to San Antonio was Heather’s garden from Xeric style.  Her style is certainly xeric, yet with many soft grasses, draping perennials and ground cover, it has a delicate feel. You can see my post about the first garden here.

 Purple fountain grass frames a collection of other grasses and yuccas.

The sun was blazing hot that day, so taking photos was a real  challenge.  These yuccas were enveloped in a blanket of pretty purple trailing lantana, but it’s hard to see that here.

In this his view of the front of the house you can see that her landscape is well matched to her contemporary style house.

The pots scattered around were also full of drought tolerant native and adapted plants like this cactus, grass and silver ponyfoot.

Another special touch greets visitors at the front door.  The sleek orange planter echoes the color of  the front door.

 This beautiful grass and its inflorescence shine against a backdrop of cacti paddles.

Retro/modern chairs next to the orange door and planted on the front porch complete the look as you enter the house.

Another beautiful agave, a grey weberi, I think, softened by a fuchsia salvia.  Two plants that can really handle the heat.

In the shade of the back yard, we were treated to a show by her chickens, who were intrigued by the visitors to the garden.

Also nestled under the tree – a wonderful hammock for lazing about and pondering garden projects.

I was taken with this bed that included drought tolerant plants like the bulbine, with a lovely cairn painstakingly placed in the middle.

Don’t forget the whimsy.  This bright seating area was decorated with several plants in unique pots — plastic tub trugs!

I always celebrate Dia de los Muertos since I worked once a week for a year in my company’s Mexico city office.  I learned to understand and came to love this unique celebration of the lives of lost loved ones.  Needless to say, these beautiful ceramic plates caught my eye.

 And yet another special touch — cacti planted in a pipe suspended on the fence.

Okay, so you’ve seen these in gardens, right?  These are made from bamboo given to Heather by her neighbor and she spray painted them orange, her theme color.  How clever. Now if only I knew someone with extra bamboo!

I was taken with this simple, elegant pot in front of the garage.  I don’t know which I liked more — the beautiful pot or the cascading firecracker fern.

 And here’s our friend, Lori, of Gardener of Good and Evil, who has found the perfect spot from which to survey the garden.

Heather professes that she’s stingy with water and is always on the lookout for plants and methods that conserve our precious water.  Her garden was the perfect example of the beauty of a truly xeric garden.

Thanks, Heather, for sharing your beautiful garden with us!

Austin Garden Tour on Saturday May 3 will delight and inspire

This Saturday from 9-4, the Travis County Master Gardeners, are sponsoring their annual Inside Austin Garden Tour.  As always, they have a great garden tour in store — full of interesting gardens sure to give you ideas and inspiration to take home.

You can see the sneak peek of the first 3 gardens in my last post here.  This post covers the other 3 gardens, which incorporate two very different design styles and also demonstrate the broad range of plants that will thrive in the Central Texas area.  

Austin Neal’s garden — a contemporary and rustic design – showcases many water wise plants and creative containers and art work.

 This fabulous fence sets the stage as you enter the garden.

 Grave and wooden walkways create an interesting walk to the front door.

 This mobile of wasp nests dangles in front of you as you approach the door.

 A mix of succulents and native perennials fill this drought-tolerant garden.

 Raised vegetable beds filled with good soil will ensure a season of good crops.



Planters lined the fence, made of re-purposed supplies and filled with tough-as-nails succulents and cacti.

The Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden was filled with native and adapted plants that should be on everyone’s plant list.

Stroll through these plants — they are all labeled so visitors and tour participants can take notes and head to their favorite local nursery with a shopping list.

 Demonstration plants include everything from ground covers to trees.

 Perennials and herbs are also part of the garden.

 This stunning bloom was definitely putting on a show of us.

 Lori Daul’s garden is an amazing display of soft and sculptural plants.

Her entire front yard — only lawn when she purchased the house, is now filled with both sunny and shady spots with layers and layers of plants.

 Texture plays a big role in Lori’s garden, as do sight lines and paths that lead the visitor through beautiful garden spaces.

In her back yard, the beds are very wide, allowing for layers of plantings to stand out.

 Instead of a free-standing, upright bottle tree, Lori created a unique look using her mesquite tree as a bottle tree.

 Whimsical garden art fills her beds.

 Several water features add sound and interest throughout the garden.

Her use of sculptural, drought-tolerant plants next to the soft beauty of her rose collection makes a wonderful contrast.

 Containers also help to add interest and texture to her beds.

 Her coordinating blue fence and swing create a lovely oasis to sit and enjoy the garden.

Mixed among the perennials, Lori also has quite a few edibles mixed in her ornamental beds.

As you might tell, Lori’s garden was my favorite.  And, she’s a personal friend of mine.

Her garden is not to be missed.  So include the Travis County Master Gardeners annual Inside Austin Garden Tour on your Saturday plans.  It’s going to be a beautiful day.  The tour runs from 9-4 and is self- guided.  Click on the link above for ticket information.

Enjoy the tour!

Beautiful xeric fall bloomer freshens a tired late summer garden…

A profusion of blooms have popped up on my Lindheimer’s Senna, Senna lindheimeriana, in my wild bed outside of the bakc fence.  This is deer country, and the velvety leaves of this plant are usually not nibbbled by the deer passing through.  This shrub-like perennial is native and grows 3-6 feet.

Glory hallelujah, it likes dry soil, sun or part shade and grows wild in rocky limestone areas all over of Texas.  The birds and bees love it, too

I brought this one home as a small starter plant a year or two ago and this year it rewarded me with a growth spurt and tons of blooms.  It blooms in late summer, so it’s a welcome sight when some plants are tired and it comes into bloom to perk up the garden in August through October.

This pretty xeric plant is a perfect addition to a hot, dry Central Texas garden.

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