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Coping with Drought Drought Resistant Plants Darrell Blackwelder Cooperative Extension-Rowan County
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Coping with Drought Drought Resistant Plants Darrell Blackwelder Cooperative Extension-Rowan County
“The 'Drouth of 1845' devastated the Western Piedmont. Crops bore no yield, a bushel of corn nearly tripled in price, trees withered, cattle were half-starved and wild animals starved to death.”Salisbury Post 2002
Evaluate Your Current Situation in the Landscape • Inventory plants • Remove dead or weak plants • Heavy pruning may be needed
Existing Situation • May already have drought resistant plants in the landscape • Many established plants can withstand dry weather • Quality is not as good as normal • Insects are usually greater during droughts • Blooms and color are not good • Premature leaf drop
Facing another drought-Be Prepared! • Group like plants together-drought tolerate vs. those that need supplemental watering • Soil testing for optimum growth • Soil preparation with proper amendments • Planting for shade • Mulched
Planting new trees and shrubs • Fall is best for planting trees and shrubs during extended droughts • Established before cold weather arrives • Established plant materials often survive up to 3 weeks without watering • Learn signs of stress • Heat vs. drought stress
Lawn use much water • If possible, reduce lawn areas with mulch or drought tolerant ground covers • Cool season lawns use more water than warm season lawns • Bermuda • Zoyzia • Centipede • St. Augustine • If its green, it’s a lawn
Don’t Sacrifice Color • Drought tolerant annuals and perennials add color to landscape with minimal water • Consider planters that survive with hand watering • Pansies • Portulaca • Profusion zinnia
More information on drought tolerant plantings in landscape and lawns • Master Gardener web site • Information page on the site • Drought Tolerant Plant website • Plant photos and more information • Example of fact sheet page
Darrell BlackwelderCooperative Extension-Rowan Countydarrell_blackwelder@ncsu.edu704-216-8970