It's Officially Summer

As of June 21, it is officially summer-time. And with it comes the dreaded heat and drought that can effect the life, health and beauty of your garden and yard. Here are a few tips to help protect your yard and garden from sun mischief.

1. Do routine maintenance, check all of last years hoses, and sprinkler systems. If you live in a very dry and hot climate, you may want to consider a soaker hose for your garden plants.

2. Most people consider mulching best for winterizing the garden but, it also works well for keeping plants cool and moist during the summer.

3. If you had lots of problems with plants wilting and you are looking to add new plants make sure they are right for your summer climate.

Some drought resistant plants to consider:

• Juniper shrubs- greenery

• Acaicia- greenery

• Afgan Pine- greenery

• African Daisy- there are a lot of colors and varieties available. Produces beautiful and colorful masses of flowers. Excellent for rock gardens, containers, and some ground cover.

• Agastache- tall spike like plants. Good for containers, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and lends itself to the cottage garden look.

• Angelonia- easy to grow drought tolerant perennial. Tall spike like snap dragon.

• Anise Hyssop- attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Tall spike, good for borders and containers.

• Autum Sage- attracts butterflies, great accent plant.

• Begonia- great for containers.

• Black-Eyed Susan- great for attracting butterflies, and good for containers.

• Blanket flowers- colorful

Also check out Yarrow, different varieties of Lillies, Daisies, Cactus, Calendulus, and Cannas.