Floral displays ring in the growing season with life and color. With annuals, you can enjoy beautiful color throughout the summer season.

These dependable single-season flowers hit the ground running and provide a spectacular show all season long. Annuals provide an entire spectrum of options in terms of size, color and growth patterns. Some flowers work well as edging plants. Others can be planted in masses and work well in large planting beds or around entry signage.

Because annuals live only one season and have no permanent roots from which to grow the next year, they perpetuate their kind through heavy seed production. Biologically, seed and flower production go hand in hand. To produce lots of seeds, they must produce many flowers, which accounts for the extremely high ratio of blooms relative to the size of the overall plants.

There are numerous annuals to choose from, and we are happy to suggest the best options for your specific property. With our help and season-long care, your property can be alive with color all summer long.

Now is the best time to plan for annual flowers. Contact us today to brighten up your property this summer!

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If there is one thing that sets the South apart from the rest of the nation, it’s the heat! As the summer swelters, your landscaping might be taking a hit. When temperatures soar, there are some steps you can take to keep your plants alive and healthy through the months ahead. You are likely feeling the stress of extreme temps and your plants are, too. But these simple fixes might be enough to save them.

Water Deeply

One of the reasons that plants don’t make it through the summer months is due to dehydration. When temperatures reach 90 degrees or above, water loss is a huge issue. The key is not just to water often, but also to water properly for extreme heat. Slow and deep watering at the base of a plant is the best way to help it retain enough moisture to survive. It helps coax the roots to grow deeper into the ground in search of water. If you only water the surface, the roots will be searching near the surface and will dry out. Make sure to water long enough to fully saturate the soil. And water frequently – two to three times a week during the hot weather months. 

But Don’t Overwater

Yes, overwatering is a thing! Plants are like people and they shut down when the weather turns extreme. This means that they can’t absorb water. If you notice at the end of the day that your plants appear to be wilting, don’t assume that they need water before you test the soil. If it is dry, then you can safely add water so the plants will absorb it once the temperatures drop overnight. However, if the soil feels damp or heavy, watering more will probably drown the plants.

Check Twice for Safety

Potted plants are extremely susceptible to heat, so it’s best to check them twice a day instead of just once. Check the moisture first thing in the morning and then again late in the afternoon. Plants that are in pots are likely to dry out faster, so they may need to be watered twice instead of just once. Make sure to slowly and thoroughly water them. You don’t want to drench them and have water spilling over the sides instead of reaching the bottom of the container where it’s needed.

Evaluate Containers

You likely choose your containers for aesthetic purposes, but there is nothing aesthetically pleasing about wilting or dead plants. Avoid using dark containers because they will absorb more heat than lighter ones. If you have potted plants, consider putting them in larger pots so they have better insulation. Also, consider the drainage factor of a container. If there is no place for water to drain, the plant will likely drown in standing water that doesn’t have anywhere to go.

Don’t Water in Full Sun

It might seem logical to water when the sun is beating down, but it’s actually not a good idea to water when the sun is at its highest. The water that collects on the leaves can act like a magnifying glass in extreme heat. It is reasonable to spray plants, but do this after the sun sets and only when the heat continues well into the evening. 

Provide Shade

When the heat is in full force, consider providing a little shade, like an umbrella, during peak sun times. Make sure that you allow enough room for air to circulate around the plant. Again, avoid dark colors because they will absorb heat and can burn plants. And keep the shading far enough away from the foliage that you don’t accidentally burn it!

Don’t Replant

Plants are creatures of habit and they like to stay put. If you move them from one container to the next, it can stress them out. Your plants are already fighting the heat – don’t make them work harder by moving them from one place to the next. Plants have to adjust to their surroundings, so let them stay put.

Don’t Remove Foliage 

It might be tempting to remove dead or dying leaves, but don’t. The brown foliage protects against further damage, and while it may look dead, that might not be the case. There may still be living tissue underneath, so resist the urge to prune until the summer heat gives it a rest.

Don’t Prune

It is never a good idea to prune during the summer months. Pruning is a fall weather activity. 

Make the Cuts

If you find that your vegetables have withered or blistered, it is time to make cuts. Leaving them on the vine will not save them; it will only drain the plant’s resources to produce more and healthier growth. When you remove the damage, the plant can start to heal and maybe yield more once the temperatures normalize.

As the heat rages on, how well are your plants weathering the storm? If they’re not doing so well, then these are some ways that you can help them better survive the next couple of months. Try these quick hot-weather tips to help your vegetation destress. Sometimes all your plants need is a little TLC to make it through the season! Contact Rollins Landscaping today for help with your summer-scorched landscaping!

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As we quickly roll headlong into spring, summer is just ahead. Before the punishing hot weather hits the Augusta area, now is an excellent time to beautify your curbside appeal by adding some front yard landscaping. Not only do homeowners have different preferences; they are guided and limited by the space they have available. If you want to take your home from blah to beautiful, these are some landscape ideas to consider. 

Small Front Yard Designs 

For homeowners who have limited space, it is a good idea to be as creative as possible, while also providing uniformity. There are many ways to incorporate plants and flowers in limited areas using small shrubs, bulbs, and annuals that fit into containers as accent pieces. Also, if you have a front porch or entryway, window boxes and hanging baskets are ideal to attract the eye. Always use potting soil to give the plants as many nutrients as possible to make it through the entire season. Make sure to keep in mind things like scale, so that you don’t overdo it. Too many colors and things going on can make it appear “loud”. Sometimes simplicity is best, so pick just a couple of colors and stick to them. 

Low-Growing Landscapes are Ideal for Ranch Homes! 

People in the Augusta area love ranch-style homes due to the ease of layout and no stairs options! To make your front yard fit with the overall style of your home’s layout, choose low-growing grasses, shrubs, and flowering plants that help keep in tune with the lines that are characteristic of ranch designs. Things like dwarf trees and ground cover look amazing and extenuate the natural construction of a ranch home. Evergreens are also ideal to provide a “lush” green look and adding accent annuals will give a pop of color in just the right places! 

Classic Traditional Styles and Quaint Cottages 

If you have a bungalow or cape code design with a white picket fence, then adding a splash of color that shines through is the best way to showcase your limited space. Add dark and rich-colored flowers such as dianthus, hydrangeas, snapdragons, and roses. It will give your home an even more “quaint” feel, and it will also enhance the design that a cottage-style home commands! 

Modern and Contemporary Style Homes 

If you have a modern or contemporary style home, then keep with the flow by using plans that are defined and only use containers that fit the style of the home. Native plants and shrubbery that require low maintenance and have crisp lines are the best choices to enhance the overall look. Also, use things like walkways and other beds and borders that have clean-cut lines to play off of your home’s overall design perfectly. 

Traditional Style Homes 

In certain areas of Augusta, there are a vast number of traditional home styles. Large front porches are ideal for house hanging plants, and homes built from wood or stucco benefit from lush green shrubbery, with the idea that less is more. For architectural-styled homes, you don’t want to overwhelm the beauty of the design with too much eye candy that will make it appear cluttered. Uniformity is always best when it comes to landscape design. 

When it comes to enhancing your home’s curbside appeal by sprucing up your front yard landscaping, take your home’s factors into account for the best fit. It is always a good idea to go with a “less is more” attitude. Landscaping is expensive, and bear in mind that you can always go back and add more. If you overspend and overdo it, however, it could end up costing more than it needs to. For more ideas and help with your landscape design, contact Rollins Landscaping today, and let’s get started beautifying your outdoor areas! 

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