Forecast is hot and dry with no major relief until October.

They do not like very dry conditions.
Can you water them a bit?
They will come back with cooler weather and more moisture.
I had several new ones dry up last summer, but they have come back stronger this year.

I think I should put down a good 2 inches of mulch until the rains come this fall. Most of the water I use now just evaporates before it helps the plants. We are expected to have 3 more days of 103+ with barely 50% humidity.

Yes, mulch is good too.
I am in process of putting mulch around perennials and shrubs.
I hope it helps stop weeds too.
This week we have one or two cooler days.
But our averages are much lower than yours---mid 70 degrees.

106.9 with 44% humidity.

I find the lack of humidity very unusual. Most years when we get this hot the humidity is 60 or above. I realize we have not had any moisture other than a few spinkles last week but even when the air is dry dew forms on the first 4 inches of plants. However not this year. I am starting to think about methods to shade my favorite plants and veggie garden next year.

Not planning on adding any peonies for a couple of years as with Hubby's health problems. He is rapidly progressing to wheel chair status and our doors range from 26" to 36". He has dementia and needs knee surgery. Hopefully by the time I do add additional ones this drought will be over.

Funny never noticed the acorn before. But I am more than some what nutty.

This is the time of year when the low temps can be 80 with 98% humidity. The tales of actually hearing corn grow at night is not a myth. Now the corn crop is essentially destroyed.

Did half of the mulching last evening and gave them a good soaking. They responded to their drink and perked up a bit. Finished this morning and soaked them again.


The established peonies are holding their own with occasional watering.

The mulching really helped. I do not like to mulch the crowns so they can breathe better and will need the freezing winter temps in order to do well next year.


Our high temp so far. 3 pm Tuesday.

Some of my newer peonies needed extra water. Older and wiser established peonies look no worse for the wear with intense heat and drought here. We have finally gotten some rain the last week or so. It has made the biggest difference. It may be too little too late for a lot of stuff though.

Lily season acme and went. Lilies are another thing that never need extra water, but were wilting with this heat and lack of rain. I watered my stuff nightly and got nowhere, or so it seemed.

I do not know if it is the chlorine or other trace chemicals in tap water but plants do not respond to it as they do with rain water. Rain always works best.

We actually have rain barrels here and they were used up in no time. Our water source is an artesian well. An organic farmer once told me that it was not only the acidic nature of rain water, but also the temperature.

Never underestimate the power of a good summer rain. There's really nothing like it.

Still having over 100 deg temps with no rain. Watering all my standard peonies and trying to give the roots a chance to absorb nutrients. Tops are beginning to burn in the full sun.