These hot summer days really test the plants in your garden. It’s a great time to identify the plants that just aren’t coping & to consider what you can do to support these species through times like these. In some cases they are best replaced with a harder species that will perform better.
Choose Hardy Species
The Summer weather in Australia can be grueling, but with a little preparation & the right plant selection your garden will look fantastic all year round, without any supplementation of water. Obviously native plants cope best during these hot & sometimes dry times, but there are many non native species (exotics) that perform equally as well.
Originating in countries with a similar climate to Australia, non native species provide added interest to a garden design. Many non native species offer, not only gorgeous flowers, but also foliage colour including, in some cases, more than two colours (variegation) through the leaf.
Add Interest
Interesting leaf shapes are another attractive feature of non native plants. When these plants are placed well within a garden bed, they can transform any area and ensure it looks stunning all year round.
TIP: Watering your plants at night, not only is more pleasurable for you but ensures that the plants recover well in time for the next day. Infrequent, deep watering is always recommended, encouraging deep rooting of your plants, which makes them cope better in dry times as they can access moisture deep in the soil.
Mulching Makes All The Difference.
Using a quality, decomposing mulch directly on top of the soil will not ensure ongoing nutrients for your plants as the product decays, but it will maintain soil moisture for long periods in your garden. Reducing evaporation will improve plant health and reducing your watering costs. Mulch should be non acidic (don’t use a pine product) and applied at a depth of no more than 10cm. If you don’t like the final look of mulch then reduce the depth of its application and top with a more decorative product like pine bark & chip.
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