Many of our ornamental plants don’t have the option of getting out of the heat or the rain. They have to remain in one spot and hope they are planted in a good location. Selecting the right plant for the environment is one of the keys to having an admirable looking landscape. During this time of the year, take some notes in a garden journal to see where plants need more water or tend to wilt on hot afternoons. Make a note of areas in the yard where water may tend to puddle and stay in the yard when there is a heavy rain event. Use this information to select plants for these areas that will not just survive, but thrive in those locations.

I like to use the plant toolbox (plants.ces.ncsu.edu) to help me select plants that will do well in our coastal environment. This website has a “Find a Plant” feature that allows the user to select certain traits like drought tolerant, flower color, and soil drainage to help narrow down the list of possible plants. It’s a good way to select plants to look for in nurseries and garden centers.

If your garden is set and you don’t want or need to add more plants, then consider watering if the ground gets dry and then adding a 2-inch layer of mulch to keep moisture in the soil where the roots can take it up will also help.