Scavolia is a full sun loving plant that is forgiving on the waterfront.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Plants thrive on sunlight. Sunlight is often accompanied by heat and humidity. Heat and long periods of daylight hours expand our need for watering. Several of my plants have adopted the droop and drop method for alerting me to their desire for water. Other plants just choose to turn brown and die; I love the ones that give us the opportunity for redemption.
Observation is the key to successful watering. Be like an armed guard who checks the perimeter of the property in the morning and at night. You will begin to notice the subtle or obvious nuances in your plantings. You will be surprised how easily it is to tell when your plants want water. If you are unsure, it’s always better to ere on the side of more water than less. Evergreens tend to take less water than hydrangeas, perennials and annuals like a little more water since they are blooming and that takes energy.
If you have a sprinkler system installed it may save time on watering but the necessity to check each zone is still vital. Just because the system is in place does not mean that each plant is getting exactly what they need. Sprinklers are set up for the norm and what does that mean, who do you know that is normal?
An ornamental hose stake keeps plants from getting crushed.
I was in Kansas City last week visiting my mother whose landscape we installed a few years ago, she was tickled pink that I created simple watering solutions for her lovely Soul Space. Try a few of the following to see if your life flows with ease and fun.
WATER TRANSPORT - Do you have to drag your hose through plantings and around a few corners? Move the water spout to where you need it. Seldom is our faucet in a convenient location.
Faucet dual adapter or splitter
Hose hanger with water source
- Purchase a dual adapter or a splitter for your faucet at the hardware store. I prefer the brass type though the shut offs can be stiff in the beginning.
- Unscrew your current hose and replace it with the splitter. Check to see if the small round washer is still inside the adapter for a leak free fit.
- Replace your current hose system on one side of the dual adapter
- Add an additional hose to carry you to a new direction. You may only need a 25’ hose or less.
- Mount a hose reel or hose hanger where you water most often.
- Purchase a shutoff valve at the new end so you can run either hose without interruption. Again I prefer the brass type.
QUICK RELEASE - If you really want to get fancy and efficient purchase the quick release valves that disconnect with in seconds. It saves time and hassle on unscrewing a hose or hoping that your connection is tight and leak free. I also prefer the brass variety though they are a little more expensive than plastic I think the longevity outweighs the cost.
STAKES - Keep from cutting corners with simple or ornamental yard stakes at key locations where you must drag the hose around plantings. These saved me many times as I was yanking the hose to release a kink. They are 8 – 14” tall that is above the ground and come in many varieties. Place one at each intersection where you hose needs to turn. Push them deeply into the ground so your hose freely curves around them and not your plantings.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - They key to water success is planting the property variety of species in the right location. If you place a Caladium in full sun you will guarantee an hourly watering schedule. If you place it under a shade tree or overhang it will save on water and live with joy. Check the tags on your annuals and find a location that gives you the freedom to go on vacation and return to live plantings. One of my favorite annuals is Scavolia - a horrible name for a beautiful plant that loves full hot sun and is extremely forgiving in the water front. Good luck!
Laura Lynne Dyer is owner of Laura Lynne Designs, Inc. where her passions include water garden and landscape design and installation. She is a professional photographer and loves writing, speaking and developing an Eco Community. Her designs, photography and writing have been featured in Better Homes & Gardens as well as Water Garden publications and magazines. For design tips and creative Soul Space design images visit www.LauraLynneDesigns.com. E-mail Laura Lynne with questions LauraLynne@LauraLynneDesigns.com.
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