10 Flowers That Can Withstand The Heat

If you have hot summers like we do, here in Burlington, North Carolina, you understand that not all flowers will measure up to our hot summers. Some flowers just won't hold up to the hot sun, and are too delicate for the heat, like Foxglove, Stock, or Sweet Pea. BUT fear not, because there are still some BEAUTIFUL flowers that THRIVE in the heat all spring and summer long… even in August. Here are some great suggestions for your flower garden that you can plant all summer long:

Marigolds
Marigolds are a very hardy flower that LOOOOOVE the sun. They are beautiful and full of color and make a great addition to any garden, but can also be used as a cut flower for some mixed arrangements. Did you know that Marigolds can also be used to add some "tang" to your salads. That’s right, they’re edible and delicious.

Hibiscus
Hibiscus is one of our favorites here at Garden Valley. If you’re in need of a show-stopping plant with huge blooms that doesn’t whither away in the heat, Hibiscus is definitely THE ONE. They’re beautiful and will leave a lasting impression to you and your friends and family all summer long!

Sunflowers
Sunflowers are so easy to grow! And when you think of sunflowers, don't you think they just embody summer? These beauties need LOTS of sun, and some can even grow over 16 feet tall!!! Sunflowers also attract bees and birds and were even used by Native Americans to cure skin ailments.

Zinnias
Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow and develop. They are also great because they are deer-resistant and may even help to keep other flowers safe because of it. Zinnias are, of course, beautiful in your garden or pots, but would also look beautiful in bouquets or arrangements for your home.

Geranium
Geraniums are colorful, easy to grow, and very fragrant. They are a great summer flower and one of our most popular at Garden Valley Market. Did you know that Geraniums are toxic to those pesky Japanese Beetles? And they can also survive inside during the winter if they have enough light.

Salvia
Known for it's healing properties, Salvia loves, loves, LOVES the hot and dry weather. They also attract the beautiful Hummingbird as well as Butterflies. Did you know it's a relative to Sage?

Petunias
Petunias are one of the most popular flowers, and for good reason. They come in a wide variety of colors and are a GREAT way to add some color to your garden or container. And they bloom all season long, so you can enjoy them both in spring and summer.

Verbena
Verbena is a charming flowering plant that blooms from spring to fall. With very little maintenance, this plant will add a beautiful addition to your landscape, flower boxes, pottery, and even a hanging basket. They LOVE the heat, and with a little bit of care, can transform your home from boring to charming in just a few easy steps.
You can read about how to take care of them here.

Lantana
Lantana is just a bright and beautiful flower that's tolerant of both drought AND humidity, which makes it so special. Also, butterflies LOVE Lantana. If you want to add more butterflies to your home, you need Lantana. It's also deer and rabbit resistant, allowing your blooms to actually stick around for longer than a day. Anybody else feel us on that?

Begonia
Begonias are an elegant choice, full of colorful blooms and character to make your home or office sparkle for many hot months. Thriving in part sun, these beautiful flowers would be the perfect welcome to any entrance, and the perfect peaceful addition to any back patio.

So if you live in a hot climate, like we do here at Garden Valley Farmers Market, you understand that not just ANY flower can be grown here. Choosing flowers that are hardy and can withstand the hot temperatures will not only save you some money in the long run, but will also save you some frustration, and keep you enjoying the flowers all season long, even into our hot August. Stop by one of our locations in North Carolina, and pick up some heat resistant flowers to add to your flower garden. We'd love to see you!
What are some heat loving flowers that you love to plant?

Warm wishes,
Your GVFM Team

How To Care For Verbena And Keep It Thriving

If you’re looking for an easy, annual flowering plant that’s not fussy, drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies, Verbena is a great choice for you! With a variety of vibrant colors and soft leaves, these flowers are the perfect addition to any of your baskets, window boxes, or gardens.

HOW TO CARE FOR VERBENA

The best thing about Verbena is that that aren’t picky. In fact, the most common cause of their downfall is too much attention, aka over-watering and over-feeding them. Follow these tips, and you’ll be just fine!

Where to Grow.
Plant in the sunniest place possible. These beauties LOVE the sun (need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight), and are able to withstand the heat. Be sure to plant them in a sunny place that will help them bloom and thrive.

When and How to Plant.
The best time to plant your verbena would be in the spring, however, you can plant in the summer if special attention is paid to them while they are still establishing.
Remember to plant at least 6 inches apart to increase the air circulation. Water at least two times per week while the plant is still establishing itself into the soil.

Soil.
Verbena needs well-draining soil. That’s what makes them PERFECT for a rock garden, but obviously you can plant anywhere. If you’re planting in a garden or mixed container, be sure to plant in a mound formation in order to encourage adequate circulation.

Watering.
The best way to water your verbena is to inspect it every day. If the leaves look limp, then that’s a sign that it’s time to water. They only require about an inch of water a week, but during scorching hot weather, they might need a little bit of extra water.

Deadhead.
This is a very important step if you’re wanting your verbena to continue blooming. It won’t produce anymore blooms if it doesn’t have anywhere to grow. To accomplish this, just clip the top part of your flowers that hold the blooms.

Where to Purchase.
So where can you even get these gorgeous plants? We still have quite a good selection available for purchase at each of our locations at Garden Valley Farmers Market. We are local to the following locations in North Carolina: Greensboro, Haw River, Graham, Elon, and Burlington. So stop by today, and see just how beautiful these gorgeous plants really are.

Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other blog posts or needing more inpsiration, follow us on our Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team

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Here’s a few photos sourced from Pinterest to give you all the Verbena inspiration that you’ll need!

How To Care For Geraniums

Geraniums are a beautifully colorful and fragrant option that give you all the spring and summer gardening vibes. They have over 250 species, are low maintenance (once you learn their needs), and make a great addition to your garden.

When healthy, Geraniums are full of lush blooms and filled with green leaves, so they make a great addition to cover the base of shrubs. They are also beautiful in window boxes, in a hanging basket, in single pots on their own, or in an eclectic mixed container. And not only do these beauties smell amazing, but they also help to repel insects… mosquitoes in particular. Geraniums can be grown outside and indoors, making this plant very versatile.

DID YOU KNOW…
…that when most people think of geraniums, they are actually thinking of what is called a Pelargonium, and Pelargoniums are not a “true” Geranium. Because in 1789, Geraniums were separated into two genus species, one of them being Pelargonium. But for reference, we will refer to Pelargoniums as Geraniums for this article… because it’s easier to say and write.

How To Care for Geraniums

Geraniums have very specific needs, but once they are learned, you’ll see that these beautiful plants will thrive and be the next show stopper piece for your garden, front porch, or back deck.

Where to Grow.
+ Indoors. Geraniums need a minimum of moderate light indoors, but more blooms will be yielded if they receive heavy light. Also, if you’re more interested on growing Geraniums indoors, check out this blog post over on Balcony Garden Web.
+ Outdoors. If growing outside, place your Geranium in a spot that receives FULL SUN (minimum of 6 hours of sunlight). If you are in a climate where the temperature reaches above 90 degrees, you also might want to consider planting your Geranium where it receives morning sun, but afternoon shade.

When and How to Plant.
Plant your geraniums only after the threat of a frost has passed. You can check your individual tags on the specific type of geranium you have purchased, but generally, you will want to space them 8”-12” apart.

Soil.
Geraniums love a slightly acidic, well-draining soil. If planting in a pot, you can easily accomplish this by adding moss to your soil, and covering the base of your pot with rocks to allow for better drainage.

Watering.
Geraniums can be prone to root-rot, so you should only need to water them weekly. Allow the soil to dry out completely, and then give it a good soaking.
How to Water: Soak your geranium at the level of the soil of the plant thoroughly. Be careful to avoid getting the leaves and blooms wet. This can cause rotting/disease of the leaves and burning of the blooms (when in the sun).

Pruning.
You can prune Geraniums by pinching off the end of the stem. This allows for two new growths to happen in its place, and will also produce a more “full” looking bush.

So where can you even get these gorgeous plants? We have TONS of options available for purchase at each of our locations at Garden Valley Farmers Market. We are local to the following locations in North Carolina: Greensboro, Haw River, Graham, Elon, and Burlington. So stop by today, and see just how beautiful these gorgeous plants really are.

Comment below and tell us what your favorite colors are!