Drip Tips
Have you ever watched the flow of water on and around a plant when it is raining? It is a fascinating process of moving water off the plant and into the soil surrounding the plant in order for the water to provide nutrients for growth. The leaves of many plants are beautifully engineered with a gutter down the middle to carry the water off a leaf’s surface. If the water remained there, it would create mold and mildew. Leaves have evolved to get the water off the plant as soon as possible and down to roots which can absorb the water and feed the plant.
Viewer Tip: Check out the drip tips on the variety of leaves on the plants of your property. Watch the flow of water in the next rain storm to see how the plant has engineered its leaves to carry water off the leaves and onto the surrounding soil in the vicinity of the plant’s roots.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
This information is provided by the New England Wild Flower Society. For more information on native plants and sustainable gardens, visit http://www.newenglandwild.org/grow/why-grow-native-plants.html.
