Keeping your grasses happy in the heat
hannah read
Whilst the very hot weather we’re experiencing at the moment might be leading to many of us seeking shelter and cool conditions, our plants need a little extra care and attention too.
With our first stand at RHS Hampton Court coming up in a few weeks, the watering schedule at the nursery is more important than ever!
Even our sun loving varieties such as Andropogon scoparius 'Prairie Blues' require a good amount of watering. Once established, grasses don’t suffer from long periods without rain when planted in the garden, but grasses in pots do need watering every other day. Newly planted grasses and plants should be watered as a priority to ensure they do not suffer from drought-stress.
To avoid water evaporation during the day, water your grasses either first thing in the morning or in the evening. Watering consistently before drought sets in, helps to keep the moisture in the soil at an even level.
Keeping your grasses looking at their best throughout hot and dry conditions can be a time-consuming, but take care to water regularly to avoid wilting. To conserve water, ensure you’re watering at the base of each plant, rather than over a wide area. This will also help to limit weed growth.
If you are considering grasses for your garden and are conscious of choosing drought resistant varieties, take a look at these options: Festuca glauca, Pennisetum orientale and Helictrichon sempervirens. All of which are available to buy through our website.