Hello all – I am in VA and like many others getting rocked by heat. My meadow is in full swing (lots of black eyed Susan’s, false sunflower, coreopsis, partridge pea, milkweed, wild bergamot, purple coneflowe, milkweed and much more!). It gets blasted by sun. Is there anything I can do (e.g. midday cold water?) to keep it happy during this heatwave?
by ScreechinOwl
19 Comments
they were made for this!
unless they are newly planted they should be fine. If they are newly planted, extra water.
If you had a good rain recently, then they are built for this. Your meadows appears to be fairly established too. Do not worry, and waste your water.
They’ll be okay but do NOT water during midday!! The water droplets act like little lenses and can burn the leaves. Water in early morning or late evening.
ETA: I was misinformed, droplets won’t scorch leaves!
If they’re established, they’ll be fine. If they’re not already established, water in the late evening, at night, or in the early morning.
Just from looking at it, yours look established.
Let it ride. This is their moment
May I add this is a thing of beauty to behold.
Off topic but that fence is delightful. Never seen one quite like it!
If she’s in heat and there’s a male meadow nearby, you’re going to get a lot more meadow.
I love this, very beautiful! The fence is perfect.
I’m in Texas. During the prolonged summer, they’ll go to seed without water, but one week won’t do it. If you can water once during the week, they’ll be fine.
Ps-that fence fits the meadow look perfectly 🤌
I wish I could find the study- but the heat of the summer in meadows like this is what will be killing the ticks off. All the flying and soft bodied insects will thrive!
Looks amazing! 👏
Extra water if newly planted, otherwise they should be able to tolerate the heat as they are native & live in that range. You can water in the morning before it gets hot so they don’t get crispy or burnt. they’ll show you when they want water. Remember, natives like infrequent heavy watering mimicking natural rainfall.
If you’re hot, they’re hot!! Bring ‘em inside! /s
Meadow plants like it tough!
It looks great—I was trying to figure out the age based on the plants. I’m also year three and the Monarda fistulosa have exploded, the bidens and Coreopsis tinctoria have backed down as they were supposed to, and the mountain mint and echinacea have finally shown up. (Oh me of little faith—a friend has had to repeatedly talk me down from panic/despair.)
The “new” arrivals are just a reminder of what’s really going on those first few years—many of the seeds have germinated at some point, but they’re busy establishing big roots and basal rosettes, i.e., playing the long game.
Both their big ass roots and the density of a true meadow planting should make them highly resistant to most extreme weather. And at least some of them are at the eastern rainy edge of their range—they’re used to brutal Kansas heat AND arid conditions.
Go water and comfort your hydrangeas—they’re the ones being drama queens about the heat lol.
Off topic, how did you build a fence like that?
Leave it alone. So people go out and water prairies or fertilize forests? No, so let it be. It’s natural
Nothing needed these plants are extremely deep rooted and tolerant of periodic drought.
Natives are much better at dealing with the weather changes. If you’re worried, I would just do a good soaking in the evening for them to drink up at night and not have it immediately evaporate in the hot sun.
I’m also in va and want to do something similar. Did u start with a seed mix?
They’ll be just fine.