Well, it’s Din, Din, Din…By the livin’ Gawd that made you, You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
Your plants need water as much as the chokin’-mad-with-thirst soldiers in Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “Gunga Din.”
We experienced an extended drought this past fall. Then April showers were paltry. This spring many plants showed signs of winter burn, because winter dry soil conditions combined with frozen earth made even less water available to plant roots.
Rhododendrons and other broadleaf evergreens were extremely hard hit, since they are shallow rooted. They are vulnerable even though they developed various leaf adaptations to help with survival, including a waxy leaf coat to reduce water loss. Rhododendrons also have a physiological mechanism to defend themselves further; on very cold days, rhododendron leaves curl into cigar-shaped cylinders to protect them from further water loss. This natural defense mechanism usually works.
When plants are confronted with extended dry conditions, they may dry out and become desiccated. Compound that with overzealous gardeners who wipe away every scrap of organic matter from garden beds, and you are guaranteed that many evergreens and tender shrubs will have dieback.
Now what?
Water your rhododendrons, evergreens, and other plants that show signs of winter burn. Add mulch to maintain moisture. Ask gardeners to STOP clearing garden beds. Most plants will push out new fresh leaf growth that will overcome the burnt ones. Alas, some plants will simply need to be replaced.
Whether you’re navigating dry seasons or simply looking to use water more responsibly, every drop counts in the garden. Be water wise for the health of your plants. With just a few adjustments and the right plants, you can create a stunning, low-maintenance landscape that thrives while conserving water.
Capture water wherever possible. Leave wide mouth buckets and watering cans out to capture rainwater. Consider getting rain barrels. When turning off the hose, leave the end in a watering can since many leak or retain some water.
Mulch is your garden’s best defense against water loss. A several-inch layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce weed competition. Just keep it a few inches away from plant stems and trunks to prevent rot.
Water deeply, since shallow watering leads to shallow roots. Water long enough to soak the root zone, then let the soil partially dry before watering again. Doing so encourages deeper roots and stronger, more drought-tolerant plants. Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation. If you use an irrigation system, adjust the timer seasonally to avoid overwatering. Check to make sure your sprinklers are not wasting water on hard surfaces.
When container gardening, use pots that will retain water. Consider adding a water retention product to the soil like SoilMoist, which reduces watering by half. Always place saucers beneath containers to retain water for plant use.
Try these drought-tolerant plants. They offer a variety of heights, textures, colors, and seasons of bloom. They attract pollinators and are mostly deer resistant:
Shrubs: abelia, caryopteris, ninebark, and spirea.
Ground covers: prostrate cotonesster and junipers, euphorbias, cranesbill geranium, and succulents.
Perennials: agastache, penstemon, asters, catmint, and the pollinator magnet Mountain Mint.
Grasses: blue stem, little blue stem, and Pink Muhly Grass.
Now, go be the Gunga Din your plants are thirsting for.
