With much of Texas in a drought and hot days ahead, consider helping your plants through the sweltering summer season. Plants can cool off by shedding water from leaf surfaces through evapotranspiration. But even evapotranspiration might not protect them from unusually hot weather.
If you have been careful to fill your sunny spots with plants that like full sun and are adapted to Texas climates, great! Most plants native to Texas or adapted to the state's weather should be fine with about one deep watering a week. Consider adding mulch around the base of all plants, which insulates the roots and helps retain moisture. You can also build plant shade tents using a tomato cage and ventilated shade cloth for tender new transplants. Locating sun-sensitive plants in the shade of other plants that provide dappled sunlight is another approach. Trees offering good partial shade include Huisache and Anacacho orchid trees.
This information is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Learn more at www.wildflower.org.
