During hot, dry spells, choosing drought-tolerant plants is better for bees, butterflies, your water bill and your summer display
Following on from last month, where we talked about saving water in the garden, perhaps we should consider native plant varieties and species which naturally need less water – including those with grey or silver leaves that reflect more of the sun’s radiation, such as succulents. Many species that thrive in dry conditions and yet are helpful to bees and butterflies are available.
Here is a list of drought-tolerant plants that may be helpful. This list is not restrictive, there are lots of others:
Agapanthus, Anchusa azure, all succulents including Cotyledon orbiculata, Geums, hardy geraniums, Bearded irises, Mexican feather grass, Nepeta, Pittosporum, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Sea hollies,, verbascums, artemisia, sedums, lavender and heuchera.
Check your pots
Also, do choose your pots with care, as some lose water more quickly – metal heats up fast, and unglazed terracotta is more porous than glazed, so it loses water faster.
And think about where you place them – avoid the midday sun.
Plants in containers may well need watering twice a day in the summer – in the early morning and evening! Hydrangeas, particularly in containers, may need to be monitored.
Keep feeding all container plants with liquid fertiliser – once a week if possible.
In hot spells
Thin out overgrown pond plants. A water feature that trickles water into the pond will probably help aerate the pond water. Failing that (and assuming no hosepipe ban), water from a hosepipe can be trickled into the pond to help aerate it instead. Solar pond fountains may also help. Remember to top up ponds regularly.
While you’re there, ensure bird baths are full to give garden birds a place to bathe, drink and cool down.
Create an amphibian refuge by placing some logs in a shady area, and stuffing the lower layer with fallen leaves and moss. This will make a cool, damp location for frogs, newts and toads.
Keep deadheading flowers, particularly roses, and summer-flowering shrubs to remove the faded blooms and help continue their display.
Sweet peas are at their best this month, and they really do benefit from constant picking for vases in the house. This helps prolong the flowering period.
