April 12, 2023

DIY Annual Combo Planter that Thrives in Summer Heat & Drought

Plants That Thrive in Summer Heat & Drought

DIY Annual Combo Planter

Love decorating your porch or patio with gorgeous flowering annuals but find it hard to keep a consistent watering schedule? Maybe a you find a watering routine easy but want plants that will forgive you for going on summer vacation and not watering for a few days? Drought-tolerant annual flowers and foliage plants are the perfect solution! They thrive in the heat of summer and are forgiving of inconsistent watering routines, though they do enjoy a thorough soaking every week or so. We put together a quick guide to the perfect annual combo planter that loves full sun spaces, can handle a little neglect, and still provide color all season long.

Getting Started

Choosing the Right Planter

We recommend selecting a light-colored ceramic or plastic pot with drainage holes. The light color will reflect heat, rather than absorb it, and the drainage holes will keep your plants’ roots from rotting. When it comes to planters that can tolerate less-frequent waterings, its best to choose a container on the larger side. A larger container means more soil, which means more water spaces, allowing pot moisture to last longer, ultimately reducing your watering labor.

When you’re ready to begin planting, fill the container with Petitti Planting Mix. This enriched soil incorporates composted bark, so moisture tends to last and the soil doesn’t dry out as quickly.

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Planting Tips & Tricks

Angelo's Six Steps to Success

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect planter, and know the best soil to use, it’s time to start filling it with your favorite drought-tolerant plants! When assembling your mixed container garden, we encourage you to follow Angelo Petitti’s 6 steps for success for Container Gardening.

Pro Tip: Should you find your containers are still drying out more rapidly than you like, apply Hydretain® to the soil, which will minimize drought stress and extend your intervals between watering even further.

Selecting Plants

Drought-Tolerant Annuals

When it’s time to select plants, look to annuals or tropical flowering plants that are tagged to grow in full sun. Plants that possess succulent foliage, like Echeveria and Crassula, are also a great choice.

In the combination featured, we used:

Annual

Flowering Vinca

Flowering Vinca is a plant that truly loves the heat and hates the cold. It blooms extra-large, showy flowers that remain perfect in extreme conditions, like summer heat and drought.

Grows 12″ tall and wide | Variety Featured: Flowering Vinca Blockbuster™ Dark Red

Annual

Lantana

A fantastic, medium-sized plant with a vase-shaped habit, Lantana keeps growing and branching all season long. This deer-resistant powerhouse blooms non-stop well into fall.
Grows 12-14” tall and wide | Variety Featured: Lantana Lucky™ Flame

Annual Spike

False Dracaena/Cordyline

A common “thriller” in container gardens, False Dracaena is a tough, spiky plant that originates from Australia. It loves the heat and provides striking color, texture, and height to any combination. 
Grows up to 48” tall | Variety Featured: False Dracaena/Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’

Annual

Celosia

Celosia is a sturdy plant with awesome branching that supports large, jewel-toned plumes of color. This uniquely-textured plant blooms summer through fall. 
Grows 12” tall and wide. | Variety Featured: Celosia Bright Sparks™ Bright Yellow

Flowering Tropical

Dipladenia

Originating from the tropics of South America, Dipladenia has a great propensity to thrive in sun and heat. This shorter version of Mandevilla has tendrilling vines that can easily trail over the edge of pots or grow up a support structure.
Grows 12-18” tall | Variety Featured: Dipladenia Red

Annual

Livingstone Daisy

This variegated, trailing succulent provides fantastic foliage color and texture. In the heat of summer, Mezoo sports uniquely-textured flowers that bloom well into fall.
Grows 4” tall by 15” wide | Variety Featured: Livingstone Daisy Mezoo™ Trailing Red

Bringing it all together

like a boss

Whether you’re looking for a combination that can survive the summer heat and drought, or you love the bold colors and textured offered by these beauties, try gardening with drought-tolerant plants this season!

 

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