3 Actually Helpful Tips for Drought Tolerant Gardening

Oh hello! Your friendly Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs newsletter has a new look, new information, but the same great inspiration.

 

You can still expect a peek at what our trial and display gardens are up to, but from now on you’ll also get to hear directly from me! Kristina Howley. I write this newsletter and I’m a horticulturist for PWCC. I’m excited to share more timely articles, info on life-changing plants, and answers to common gardening questions. So, welcome to this new path we’re walking on, I’m glad to have your company.

This week in the garden I’ve been seeing a bit of a drought. Some plants are rising to the occasion, like this Double Play Doozie® spirea ↑, while others are flopping from the stress. If you’re seeing the same in your own garden, you might be interested in these 3 tips for drought-tolerant gardening. We’ll talk about how to update the garden you already have and ways to adjust your care techniques. 

   

Happy Face® Yellow Potentilla

The unsung hero of hard-to-garden places. Potentilla performs like it’s made of nails, but looks like it’s ready to adorn a dessert. We’ve seen this plant thrive in very harsh conditions – unrelenting sun, poor soil, and no supplemental water. Plus it’s super unappealing to deer!

  • grows best in full sun (6+ hours)
  • matures to 2-3 ft. tall and wide
  • hardy in USDA zones 2-7

 How often should I be watering my newly planted shrub?

There isn’t one blanket answer that will work for all gardens and conditions. It’s best to wait to water until the soil is almost dry. If you check and the soil is still quite moist, don’t water. For a fool proof way of determining if your soil is ready for water, try a water meter!

Make gardening with children safer, easier, and more fun with these 4 steps.

Perpetual blooms. No deadheading. Pollinator magnet. This plant is destined for your flower garden.

Some shrubs aren’t safe for chickens, but these 6 amazing options are!

Written by
Kristina Howley

Kristina Howley

I am all in when it comes to gardening. Almost every part of the experience delights me – new leaves emerging in spring, pollinators buzzing in summer, birds devouring berries in fall, and the somber beauty of seed heads in winter. Thanks to a background in horticulture and gardening my own clay-filled, flowery USDA zone 5b plot, I’ve learned plenty of practical things as well. I like sharing these joys and lessons with my fellow gardeners and soon-to-be gardeners any way I can.

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