By the time July rolls around, I want to spend less time toiling in the garden and more time enjoying it. Long stretches of heat, sporadic rainfall, busy summer schedules, and perhaps some vacation time can make high-maintenance borders feel more like a chore than a retreat. Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that look after themselves with little to no assistance by mid-summer.
The secret is choosing plants that are naturally adapted to summer conditions. Many of the toughest performers come from North America’s prairies and open woodlands, where they've evolved to handle heat, drought, and less-than-luscious soils. Once established, these irrepressible plants continue to bloom – or provide striking foliage and texture – with little more than an occasional deep watering during dry spells.
