Not so long ago, in a land pretty close by, there lived the Goddess of Nuture - the goddess Michele. Goddess Michele's nuturing was the thing
web pages are made of. As magical and mystical as the good goddess was, she had a teensy, weensy flaw - plants. For millenia, she tried to turn
living plants into silk plants by not watering them. To this day, goddess Michele is still trying. Her believers still bring sacrificial plants, waiting
for that one silk plant to finally appear. We are keeping the faith, Michele.
Do the words "drought tolerant" sound familiar? Hmmmm? Yep, heard this one many times. Ok, here we go again - personal experience. Yes, there are plants that need less water - black eyed susans, cannas, euphorbia to name a few. But, my favorite reader, they still need water if you're looking for any kind of bragging rights. I know, I know - we garden to sooth our souls, to relieve stress, to bring some nature into our cement filled lives. Right. That's why we take our friends on endless tours of our garden, pointing out minute differences from the last time they visited, 2 days ago. Let's face it, gardening is very competitive. We need bragging rights for all of the ruined manicures and Advil evenings.
Three years ago I planted bunches of black eyed susans and watered them faithfully, for the rules are water well the first year so the roots can make themselves at home. Last year, I watered twice a week. They grew, they flowered, they did ok. This year, they're being pampered with a 10 min. spa watering via drip irrigation every other day. Oh Baby! Bragging rights! My soul is soothed, my stress relieved. Ohmmm.
Oh, and just one more thing - nothing in a planter is drought tolerant. Plants in planters need to be watered at least every other day, but if it's the middle of summer and the temps are hitting close to triple digits, then it's water twice a day.
Pic's worth 1k words...yep, these are some of the drought tolerant plants. Just a gentle reminder - they still need a good home to live in, as in good soil and some fertilizer for...wait for it...bragging rights! Who me, competitive?
Do the words "drought tolerant" sound familiar? Hmmmm? Yep, heard this one many times. Ok, here we go again - personal experience. Yes, there are plants that need less water - black eyed susans, cannas, euphorbia to name a few. But, my favorite reader, they still need water if you're looking for any kind of bragging rights. I know, I know - we garden to sooth our souls, to relieve stress, to bring some nature into our cement filled lives. Right. That's why we take our friends on endless tours of our garden, pointing out minute differences from the last time they visited, 2 days ago. Let's face it, gardening is very competitive. We need bragging rights for all of the ruined manicures and Advil evenings.
Three years ago I planted bunches of black eyed susans and watered them faithfully, for the rules are water well the first year so the roots can make themselves at home. Last year, I watered twice a week. They grew, they flowered, they did ok. This year, they're being pampered with a 10 min. spa watering via drip irrigation every other day. Oh Baby! Bragging rights! My soul is soothed, my stress relieved. Ohmmm.
Oh, and just one more thing - nothing in a planter is drought tolerant. Plants in planters need to be watered at least every other day, but if it's the middle of summer and the temps are hitting close to triple digits, then it's water twice a day.
Pic's worth 1k words...yep, these are some of the drought tolerant plants. Just a gentle reminder - they still need a good home to live in, as in good soil and some fertilizer for...wait for it...bragging rights! Who me, competitive?
Comments? Questions?
You can reach me at:
petals@mortarandpetals.com
You can reach me at:
petals@mortarandpetals.com
Black Eyed Susans
Full sun, grows to 3ft/1 m tall.
Full sun, grows to 3ft/1 m tall.
Shasta Daisy
Full sun/part sun, grows to 3 ft/1 m tall.
Full sun/part sun, grows to 3 ft/1 m tall.
Echinacea - Cone flower
Full sun/part sun, grows to 3 ft/1 m tall.
Full sun/part sun, grows to 3 ft/1 m tall.
Sedum
Full sun. Grows to 3 ft/1m tall
Full sun. Grows to 3 ft/1m tall
Liriope
Sun to shade. Edging plant, grows to about 8 inches/20 cm tall
Sun to shade. Edging plant, grows to about 8 inches/20 cm tall
Cannas
Sun. Many varieties - dwarf, which are 3 ft/1 m tall to standard cannas which grow to be 7 ft/2 m tall when in bloom.
Sun. Many varieties - dwarf, which are 3 ft/1 m tall to standard cannas which grow to be 7 ft/2 m tall when in bloom.
Euphorbia
Sun. This plant is called Diamond Frost. It will die if overwatered and if left to it's own devices, can grow as tall as 3 ft/1 m. Does well with regular hair cuts.
Sun. This plant is called Diamond Frost. It will die if overwatered and if left to it's own devices, can grow as tall as 3 ft/1 m. Does well with regular hair cuts.
Euphorbia
Sun. This plant is called Diamond Frost. It will die if overwatered and if left to it's own devices, can grow as tall as 3 ft/1 m. Does well with regular hair cuts.
Sun. This plant is called Diamond Frost. It will die if overwatered and if left to it's own devices, can grow as tall as 3 ft/1 m. Does well with regular hair cuts.