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How to keep plants hydrated in the summer months.

Sean MurphyComment

Drought and heat waves, much like what going on in the Boston area the past few weeks, can be damaging to vegetable and landscape gardens. Water, too, can be just as detrimental if plants get too much of it. 

But there are ways to keep gardens thriving this summer, and the main one is to ensure plants stay hydrated.

Most vegetable plants, for example, require about 1 inch of rainfall per week to grow normally. They need more water when temperatures reach above 90 degrees. 

We suggests using drip irrigation systems to apply water directly to the soil to keep trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens hydrated. This method keeps the water out of the air and off of the foliage. Wet foliage can lead to foliar diseases of plants, especially in very humid climates.

Drip irrigation is the most efficient way to water your gardens, the water is slowly released into the soil near the plants so the roots can soak up the water and stay hydrated. This will also give the plant a consist amount of water per day/week making the plant less stressed. Another added benefit is having the watering being absorbed by the soil and not evaporated like using a hose or a sprinkler system.

We recommended where plants are going to be planted or already planted using a ring of 1/4 drip line around the plant being fed from a traditional 3/4 Drip line. Once the lines are run we always like to cover the drip lines with mulch or compost for ascetics and keeping the moisture in the garden beds.

Plants That Will Flower All Summer In Your Garden!

Sean MurphyComment

Here is Rouvalis top picks for annual and perennials that will flower in your garden all summer long!

Perennial Hibiscus: Also known as rose-mallow and swamp hibiscus, this garden standout was bred from wildflowers. Huge red, pink or white flowers can be as much as a foot across on stems that range from 2 to 8 feet high, depending on the variety. Flowers bloom from late spring until frost. Stems die back to the ground each winter.

Petunia comes in both upright and trailing forms with many colors ranging from pinks, purples, whites to bi colors.

Gomphrena: For year-round enjoyment, these clover-like flower heads are hard to beat. The papery flowers last a long time in the garden and in fresh bouquets, and the blooms are easy to dry for use in wintertime arrangements. Depending on the variety, flowers are white, red, pink, lilac or purple. 'Strawberry Fields,' with bright red blossoms, and 'All Around Purple' are two standouts.

Rudbeckia, tons of tiny, deep golden sunflowers on a compact plant that is perfect for porches, pots, patios and gardens. Golden brown, semi double, yet flat petals are accented with a deep orange halo and a dark chocolate eye

Joe Pye Weed, is a lovely wildflower native to our Eastern meadows that draws butterflies and birds. One especially showy variety,

Echinacea, a pink to purple daisy-like flowers about 4 inches across cover this perennial from mid-summer into autumn. The plant is especially hardy and unfussy, and you can divide clumps after several years to get new plants.

Nepta, The soft gray-green foliage and billowy clusters of lavender-blue flowers are like a cool breeze on a hot day.

Wax Begonia, is a tender herbaceous perennial, which is mostly grown as a garden annual. This attractive, compact flowering plant can be grown from Begonia seeds. Wax Begonia features bushy foliage with succulent stems and tightly packed waxy green leaves. White Begonia produces clusters of single or double white flowers, and it blooms throughout the entire season until first frost