We have had an extraordinary summer so far, with weeks of hot dry weather. My lawns have taken a beating with the extensive drought, but my gardens are still looking good so early July blooms are thriving. When planning my gardens, I chose drought-tolerant perennials that could handle little to no maintenance. These choices are being tested this summer.
This next set of pictures is of some of the annuals I have planted in various containers on my front veranda and back deck. Succulents continue to be some of my favourites for containers; they love the drought…
A soaker hose prevents my perennial gardens, especially the early July blooms, from drying out in this heat. I have used it quite frequently lately. For those of you not familiar with soaker hoses, they are rubber hoses with tiny holes in them so water sprays at the base of plants. Set up early in the spring as perennials are emerging, the hose will disappear into the foliage by this time of year. Connect as many as you need to snake through your garden, especially in the areas that receive lots of sun. Turn it on early in the morning and let it run for several hours.
My granddaughter is always willing to help me water the gardens and containers too…
Although, now that she is a “big girl” of two and half years, she has graduated to manning the hose…
