OUTDOOR INSPIRATION FOR A NORTH CAROLINA SUMMER
BY JIMMY TOMPKINS
S
ummer in North Carolina. Bright, sunny days. Warm lovely evenings. The perfect time to take advantage of your outdoor living space. But if you find your garden could use some seasonal pops of color, your lawn needs some TLC, and your porch or patio could use a bit of a facelift, I’ve got you covered. Following are a few drought-tolerant plants that can withstand the swelter of summer, some turf tips for a luscious lawn, and several ideas and inspiration for taking your outdoor living space from drab to fab.
DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS Summers in North Carolina can be hot and humid, but that doesn’t necessarily mean more moisture for plants. Summer tends to be dry, which doesn’t make it the best environment for all types of flowering plants. If you want to make sure your garden has plenty of color this summer, here are some plants that will do well in the hot and dry conditions.
tall, making it perfect for planting right next to your edging and in front of taller plants.
A LUSH LANDSCAPE To achieve a lush landscape during the hot summer months, it’s important to follow a strict lawn care schedule this time of year. Mow only to 3.5 inches, and before grass grows taller than 5 inches. Heat and humidity can be tough on your lawn, so keep a close eye on the health of your grass throughout the summer months, and be on the lookout for any discoloration. Fertilize as needed to promote color and recovery from any damage. Drought will continue to be a threat through August, so adhere to a weekly watering schedule and monitor your lawn for signs of stress. If you are looking to expand and enhance your landscape, September is the perfect time to plant additional trees and shrubs. Do not use herbicides for weed control during this time of year, and wait until fall to aerate.
LEOPARD FLOWER: This colorful perennial flower is part of the iris family and starts as a bulb. It will bloom during summer and provides rich, green foliage along with reddish-orange flowers with distinctive spots that helped it earn its name. The plant will grow 2-3 feet in height, and once the flowers are done blooming, they will be replaced by black seed pods. CATMINT: Catmint is actually considered an herb and its lavender flowers emit a pleasant aroma. It is characterized by tall spikes covered in flowers. It is an aggressive grower, so be sure to give it plenty of space, and thin as necessary. It is also a good idea to place some edging around the catmint to prevent it from spreading too far. PURPLE CONEFLOWER: The purple coneflower is native to the region and can withstand just about anything. If you don’t necessarily have a green thumb, this flower could be a good place to start. It can tolerate heat, drought, and poor solid conditions. You also don’t have to worry about placement too much because it will grow in full sun or part shade. PORTULACA GRANDIFLORA: This is a fun option because you can find single plants that will grow a variety of different colored flowers. It is more of a mounding plant and doesn’t grow very 14
CIRCA Magazine
| July • August • September 2022
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