August, without question, is the most difficult month for flowers to endure. The sun sits high overhead for much of the day, and showers are scarce. But no matter what part of the country you live in, there are ways to keep things moist and in bloom.
Water
Beat the heat with drip irrigation. This can be as simple or elaborate as your budget and skills allow. Garden centers sell specialty hoses made to drip water slowly into the ground, where the plant’s roots can best absorb it. These can be set on timers and wound throughout the garden. Or, you can go the simple route.
Simply Drippy
Have a leaky pitcher? How about an abundance of empty two-liter plastic soda bottles? Before you head to the recycling center, put those empty plastics to work. Punch holes in the bottom—small rather than large—fill with water, and set them in the garden. Your leaky bottles will drip water into the soil for hours, mimicking more expensive solutions.
The Right Plants
The best way to reduce damage from hot days is to choose native or adapted plants to your region. A plant used to growing in your area will need less care, pruning, and most of all, less water.
Xericscaping
Xeric is a funny word that’s used to describe plants that need less water. These can be succulents like cacti or its cousin sedum. They can also be shrubby perennials like ornamental sages or the popular ground cover liriope. Check the garden center; you may be surprised what you can find!
Catching the Rain
Another simple solution is to put your gutters to work. Rain barrels can be found that attach directly to the gutters on your house and collect the rain water. It sounds simple, and it is. This way, even the rain that falls on your roof can be used to keep your plants in bloom!