Baby, It's Hot Outside!

By Kerry Ann Mendez

August weather can be a scorcher. While we can seek relief within air conditioned buildings, full sun gardens are at the mercy of the sun's intensity. Excessive heat can also be reflected from fabricated surfaces such as a driveway, sidewalk or patio.

Thankfully there are some "desert-lovers" that tolerate extreme sun and heat as well as dry soil. Below are some perennials and shrubs that stand up to the abuse. However, even these plants will benefit from 2-3" of mulch to conserve moisture and modify soil temperature swings around the roots.