How to Prepare Your Garden for a Long, Hot Summer
Don’t let heat-tender plants ruin your warm season gardening!
In Louisiana, spring can give you a false sense of security. 7-10 hours is not a problem from March-Early May for the majority of our sun-selection. However, each week onward until summer’s peak ratchets up the temperature.
Regardless of the drought, even with irrigation on extra long timers, the summer of 2023 exemplified heat-induced wilting and plant failure. When making decisions this year, heat-tolerance in your warm-season annuals should be just as important as cold-tolerance in your cold-season annuals.
Heat-Tolerant Plants for Full Sun Exposure
Whether you’re looking to add height, fullness, or a cascading effect to your garden, the following heat-tolerant plants are a great place to start. These summer annuals are specially chosen for their resilience in full sun and their ability to provide lasting color.
1. Angelonia: This plant is not only heat and drought tolerant, but also resistant to pests, making it an excellent choice for summer gardens.
2. Begonias (red leaf): Begonias are beloved for their beautiful flowers and foliage. Red leaf begonias can add a pop of color to your flower beds.
3. Blue Daze: Known for its charming blue flowers, this plant thrives in hot, sunny locations.
4. Coneflowers: With a wide variety of vibrant colors, coneflowers attract butterflies, making your garden a picturesque space.
5. Dipladenia: This evergreen vine showcases stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers throughout the summer.
6. Hibiscus: Renowned for their large, exotic blooms, hibiscus plants are a classic choice for a tropical-themed garden. (Learn more about Hibiscus here!)
7. Lantana: This plant is a butterfly magnet and offers clusters of vibrant flowers.
8. Marigolds: Marigolds are easy to grow and their bright, cheerful flowers can uplift any garden.
9. Pentas: These plants produce star-shaped clusters of flowers and are a favorite of butterflies.
10. Purslane: This succulent plant blooms throughout the summer and is incredibly drought tolerant.
11. Salvia: A member of the mint family, salvia offers striking spikes of flowers and is highly loved by hummingbirds.
12. Sun Coleus: With their bright, variegated leaves, these plants can add a dramatic flair to your garden.
13. Vinca: These plants bloom profusely throughout the summer, offering a carpet of vibrant flowers.
14. Zinnias: These are cherished for their long-lasting blooms and variety of colors.
Remember, all these plants prefer well-draining soil and full sun exposure. Therefore, make sure your flower beds are elevated enough to drain away the heavy summer rain showers we often experience.
Nourishing Your Garden
After choosing the right plants for your garden, don’t forget about feeding them. The intense summer rain can leach nutrients from the soil quickly. Therefore, when planting these heat-tolerant annuals, incorporate a granular fertilizer into the soil. Use a root stimulator to give them a head-
start. About three to four weeks later, start applying a liquid or water-soluble fertilizer. However, always check the weather forecast before applying fertilizer. You don’t want to apply it on a rainy day, as it will mostly go to waste.
Favorite Summer Combo Pot
For those of you interested in combination pots, try pairing Angelonia, Vinca, and Purslane. This mix is not only visually appealing but also drought tolerant. If you use a planter or hanging basket with drainage holes, the excess water from summer showers will drain out, and the returning sun will help dry the soil.
Summer brings with it a set of challenges for gardening. By choosing the right plants and providing them with appropriate care, your garden can remain vibrant and beautiful even during the hottest months. So let’s welcome summer with open arms and a prepared garden, knowing it’s here to stay for a while. Happy Planting!
