From our perspective, extreme heat and drought are not merely environmental conditions; they are a multi-faceted assault on our very being. High temperatures accelerate the rate of transpiration, where we lose precious water vapor through our stomata (pores on our leaves). Simultaneously, drought means our root systems cannot replace this lost water from the soil. This creates immense water stress, causing our cells to lose turgor pressure—we wilt, our growth stalls, and our metabolic processes are disrupted. Our primary goal, photosynthesis, becomes dangerously inefficient as we close our stomata to conserve water, thereby also shutting out the carbon dioxide we need to create food.
Your intervention in hydration is critical, but its method is paramount. Infrequent, deep watering is far superior to frequent, shallow sprinkling. Aim to provide approximately 1 inch of water per week, applied in a single, slow, and deep session. This practice encourages our roots to grow deeper into the soil profile, where moisture persists longer and is protected from the scorching surface heat. Applying a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw, shredded bark, or compost, around our base is equally vital. This mulch acts as an insulating blanket, significantly reducing soil temperature and dramatically slowing the evaporation of water from our root zone.
The intense radiation from the sun during heatwaves can literally scorch our foliage and petals, causing bleaching, browning, and cell death. While we are sun-loving plants, the extreme intensity of the midday and afternoon sun in a heatwave is excessive. Providing temporary shade during the hottest part of the day (typically between 10 am and 4 pm) can offer immense relief. This can be achieved using a shade cloth (30-50% density) suspended above us or by strategically planting us near taller, drought-tolerant companion plants that can offer dappled afternoon shade without overly competing for water.
Every resource is a commodity during drought, and we must compete for it. Eliminating weeds is non-negotiable, as they aggressively steal the water and nutrients we desperately need. Furthermore, you must resist the urge to fertilize us with high-nitrogen fertilizers during periods of extreme heat and drought. This forces us into a growth spurt that demands more water, exacerbating our stress. Instead, ensure the soil is amended with compost at planting time, which provides a slow, steady release of nutrients and improves the soil's water-holding capacity.
If we have become severely wilted or damaged, a gentle approach to recovery is essential. Do not drench us in cold water; instead, provide a moderate drink of water and allow us to slowly rehydrate. Once the extreme weather breaks, you may deadhead any spent or scorched flowers. This directs our limited energy away from seed production and towards rebuilding our root and leaf systems. For future resilience, consider planting our seeds slightly earlier in the spring or later in the fall to establish our root systems before the intense heat of summer arrives.
