Are your plants starting to look a little lackluster? Arizona’s harsh summers can be taxing on even the hardiest of plants, and it’s important to give them a little extra love during the hottest months. But hot weather shouldn’t sent you rushing for the watering can indiscriminately. Though some plants will need extra hydration to make it through the summer, others are bred especially for conditions like ours. Here’s how to know if you need to water plants more often:
Choose Wisely
Not all plants are designed for the harsh summers we experience here in Arizona. Tropical plants, like hibiscus or bird of paradise, need more water and humidity than others, and may be more difficult to keep looking green and lush.
You’ll likely have better luck going with drought-resistant/tolerant plants. Common choices are cacti and succulents, many of which can be ornamental as well as hardy. Some wildflowers also do well, including wild sunflowers, morning glory, and Arizona lupine. Often these desert-oriented plants will develop root structures that dig deeper into the ground, protecting them from the driest upper layers of soil.
Get To Know Them
Ultimately, no two plants are the same, and what works for one plant may not work for another. In Arizona, plants that usually need full sun may need to be moved to a shady area during the hottest part of the afternoon. Plants that usually do well outdoors with filtered sunlight might make a good indoor plant if placed next to a window. Hardier plants may thrive in our hot, arid conditions. Get to know them individually to best suit their needs.
For help designing a watering schedule that works best for your plants, give ABC Scapes a call at 602-404-0568. We would love to use our years of desert landscaping experience to help keep them looking their very best.