Summer came in with a bang and the heat is definitely on! Are you feeling it where you are? Keep an eye on your plants as they, too, adjust to the warmer days and nights. Here are a few things you can do help them out:
- Set up temporary shade to protect from heat stress and leaf scorch
- Water in the morning to provide moisture through the day
- Protect them from dry wind, as wind dries plants out quicker
- Apply mulch to preserve moisture in the soil
- Water deeply, as shallow water evaporates quickly
- Don't prune away dead leaves yet—they're providing shade for others
- Use only slow-release fertilizers or compost to avoid spurring too much tender, new growth
Now, let's jump into the world of butterfly gardens! Whether you're looking to attract these beautiful pollinators or support their lifecycle, we have all the tips and plant suggestions you need. So, grab a cold drink, find a shady spot, and let's get started!
Design a Garden That Butterflies Will Love
Bring butterflies to your garden by creating a habitat they'll love to visit time and time again—and maybe even start a new generation. Design your own butterfly garden in just 7 steps, and learn how to select the perfect plants to attract them.
25 Butterfly Garden Plants & Flowers
Discover 25 plants that are essential for attracting and nourishing these beautiful pollinators, from the nutrient-rich milkweed crucial for monarch larvae to the colorful zinnias that entice a variety of butterfly species. Learn how different plants cater to both adult butterflies and caterpillars, ensuring your garden supports every stage of their lifecycle.
Discover Le Beau, Plantatorem's best-selling collection of handcrafted and glazed earthen pottery. This exclusive collection features large, frost-proof planters, perfect for enhancing both landscape and architectural design projects. Experience the unmatched quality and distinct elegance of Le Beau for yourself. Discover more at Plantatorem.
20 Must-Have Flowers for Stunning Hanging Baskets
Looking to add some vibrant color and charm to your outdoor space? Transform your porch, patio, or deck with a variety of stunning hanging baskets. Fill them with colorful flowers like long-blooming Safari® Dawn South African phlox, vigorous-growing Superbena® Peachy Keen, and heat-tolerant Superbells® Double Chiffon. Mix and match different shapes and colors for a unique look all summer long. Pictured: "Butterscotch" container recipe from Proven Winners.
14 Indoor Plants for Bright Spaces
Too hot to garden outside? Bring the garden indoors with a wide variety of houseplants. See our list of 14 houseplants that like it bright, and get care tips to keep them looking their best. Photos by: Proven Winners.
Even though these plants like bright light, they need to be protected from intense summer sun. As the seasons progress and the sun moves, keep an eye on the amount of light coming directly through your windows, as too much can scorch your plant's leaves. Move your plants farther away from the window or use a sheer shade or curtain to diffuse the light.
Garden Reads:
The Garden Against Time
In 2020, Olivia Laing began to restore an eighteenth-century walled garden in Suffolk—an overgrown Eden of unusual plants. The work brought to light a crucial question for our age: Who gets to live in paradise, and how can we share it while there’s still time? In her new book, Laing moves between real and imagined gardens, interrogating the sometimes shocking cost of making paradise on earth. If you're curious about the challenges of crafting a paradise, this book is a must-read. Grab your copy and get lost in Olivia's enchanting world!
VIDEO: Star Jasmine Care & Growing Tips
Discover the beauty and versatility of star jasmine with our friend Janey of @digplantwaterrepeat. Star jasmine brings both color and fragrance to any landscape with its long blooming period and intensely fragrant star-shaped flowers that butterflies and pollinators love. Discover various uses, from arbors to ground covers, and get tips on growing and taking care of this easy-care plant.
Read more on GardenDesign.com: How to Grow Star Jasmine
Are you a Zone 9 gardener? If so, you need to be following Janey (& Jason) on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for great warm-climate gardening info & inspiration!
Do you create special containers for holidays? I really enjoy adding a festive touch to my garden by planting up themed containers, and I love a vibrant red, white, and blue planter for the 4th of July. If you need some red, white, or blue flowering plant suggestions, or some container recipe ideas, you can find some great ones here. I'd love to see what you do! Hit reply and send me a picture of your patriotic planters!
Happy gardening!
—Linda
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