Paul Thomas
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension
Drought: Home & Garden
Planting time key to summer flower's survival
The key to whether or not your summer flowers bloom is when you planted them.
Fall-planted perennials have all winter to build roots. They withstand drought better because they absorb water more efficiently. They will bloom and grow with half the care.
Annuals should be planted as soon as the soil is warm enough for that species and frost chances have passed. For most annuals, the best planting time is around April 1 in south Georgia and May 1 in the north Georgia mountains.
Waiting until June delays root development, forcing you to water annuals more often.
No matter when you choose to install your plants, select varieties that can take the heat. If you follow these recommendations with native and other drought-resistant plants, your summer flowering plants will be better prepared for the wrath of another Georgia summer.