One-quarter to one-half inch of mulch on the tops of pots will slow evaporation, conserving water as well as the time you spend watering.

Shredded bark is a standby, but terra-cotta balls, stones, sand, and glass work equally well and are decorative, too. Look for them at garden centers, florists, and aquarium shops.

1. Terra-cotta balls.
2. Ice glass.
3. Tumbled glass.
4. Indonesian green stones.
5. Epoxy-coated aquarium gravel.
6. Copper-colored sand.
7. Polished stones.

Prices range from $2 a pound for terra-cotta balls to $12 a pound or more for polished stones.