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A.  Although we’ve had some cool weather and rain, the hot days in between make it tougher for new plants to adapt. In some cases, the plant sustained root damage. In others, the planting hole has become a bathtub for the small, contained rootball. Keep new plants moist, but avoid overwatering—let dry out between sessions.

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Batface Cuphea (Cuphea llavea)

Batface cuphea is a drought-tolerant annual that loves a sunny exposure. It has a prostrate growth habit reaching a little over a foot high and several
feet in width under good conditions. Batface cuphea is well suited for a landscape bed, hanging basket or container. The plant blooms from spring to
frost bearing tiny elongated purple and red blossoms that resemble a bat’s face. This unusual flowering plant does well with minimal care and is not prone to insect or disease problems.

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• Prune spring bloomers like quince, spiraea and once-blooming roses. They’ll be setting blooms in late summer and fall.
• As the soil warms up, plant okra, sweet potato, winter squashes and black-eyed peas.
• To prevent soil crusting around your new seedlings, sprinkle the bed with pine needles or cover with row cover until they’re established.

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