While the warmer weather has been lovely (most of the time), my garden has seen a few casualties from the heat this summer. Tender bedding plants and my hydrangeas have really suffered when it’s been hot and sunny, and it has been a struggle keeping up with watering and looking after them.
But when it comes to varieties like lavender and rosemary dotted throughout my garden, these plants are thriving in the hot weather, which has got me thinking about adding a few more Mediterranean plants that can cope better with the heat and will thrive even during a heatwave.
‘With the UK experiencing record-breaking temperatures throughout June and July, many gardeners are now on the lookout for drought-tolerant plants that can handle the hot and dry weather that could continue well into August and September,’ says David Denyer, flower and garden expert at Eflorist.
‘While many traditional bedding plants struggle to cope in periods of prolonged heat, Mediterranean plants have naturally adapted to large amounts of sunshine, dry soil and high temperatures, so now is the perfect time to consider them in your own outdoor spaces.’
1. Lamb’s ears
‘Mediterranean plants are excellent choices for coping with the UK’s increasingly frequent heatwaves,’ says Chris Bonnett, founder of Gardening Express.
‘Opting for varieties that can retain water is a must, and these will often have fleshy leaves that store excess moisture. Plants with silvery or hairy foliage, such as lamb’s ears or lavender, will reflect sunlight and reduce water loss, and those with deep root systems that can access moisture below the soil surface are also great options.’
Lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina) is a silver, velvety ground cover plant that produces pretty pinky-purple flowers. It thrives in full sun and dry conditions, making it a great low-maintenance choice for hot and sunny conditions.
Great for garden borders, edging and rock gardens, bees and pollinators love lamb’s ears for its fuzzy foliage and the furry hairs on the leaves, which they use to line their nests.
Where to buy lamb’s ears plants:
2. Olive trees
‘While our shifting summer weather certainly puts our gardens to the test, a little research and careful planning can go a long way,’ says Shelley Davis, flower expert at Flying Flowers. ‘By choosing the right varieties and adjusting our care routines, we can help these sun-loving Mediterranean plants establish themselves and bring a vibrant touch of the continent right into our gardens.’
‘Nothing brings that Mediterranean holiday atmosphere home quite like an olive tree, and with UK summers getting hotter, we might actually start seeing them bear fruit,’ adds Shelley. ‘When temperatures settle into the late 20s and early 30s, olive trees will open up their tiny blossoms, which local pollinators can help develop into small, homegrown olives.’
‘Just remember that while they love the heat, they aren’t completely self-sufficient. Young or potted olive trees need a steady supply of moisture, so keep the soil damp but never soggy to protect their roots from rot.’
‘It’s hard to beat the addition of one or two olive trees to add a touch of ‘Greek summer holiday’ aesthetic to your outdoor space,’ agrees David.
‘Olive trees are incredibly resilient in hot weather and become more drought-tolerant as they mature. Place them in large containers with good drainage to keep them thriving during the heat.’
Where to buy potted olive trees:
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3. Geraniums
‘Geraniums are a summer staple,’ says David. ‘They love a sunny spot, and geraniums actually perform better when allowed to dry slightly between waterings, making them a great option for summer containers.’
‘For those looking to squeeze every last bit of the summer sunshine out of their garden, it’s also handy to know that geraniums continue to produce colourful blooms for months, regardless of how high the mercury rises,’ adds David.
Thanks to their thick, fleshy foliage that acts as a natural reservoir, geraniums don’t struggle in the heat. To keep them thriving and flowering when it’s warm, water them at the base of the plants early in the morning or late evening, ensuring that any excess water drains away. And make sure to deadhead geraniums, pinching off dead flowers and any yellowing leaves regularly to ensure they’ll continue to flower throughout summer.
Where to buy geraniums:
4. Salvias
‘Hailing from hot, dry climates, salvias are exceptionally drought-tolerant once established,’ says Shelley. ‘While other flowers might scorch under the intense summer sun, salvias keep their vibrant colour. And thanks to their deep root systems, they can tap into moisture deep underground, meaning they only require a thorough soaking once or twice a week even during a severe heatwave.’
‘For ultimate summer resilience, look for the ‘Heatwave’ series–a hardy hybrid of Salvia microphylla (Mountain Sage) and Salvia greggii (Autumn Sage), known scientifically as Salvia x jamensis, which has been specifically bred to thrive in baking heat,’ adds Shelley.
‘Salvia’s vibrant foliage is perfect for adding long-lasting bursts of summer colour to your garden,’ agrees David. ‘And with regular deadheading, salvias should continue to flower long after many other plants have started to fade.’
Salvias thrive in sunny, sheltered positions and look great in the middle or front of garden borders, and in gravel and Mediterranean-style gardens. Salvia in pots is more susceptible to drying out, though, so these will need more regular watering than plants in the ground.
Where to buy salvia plants:
5. Callistemon
‘When it comes to flowering shrubs that do well in hot, dry weather, varieties like callistemon, cistus and nerium oleander are all top picks,’ says Chris.
‘These plants are all able to retain water for heat spikes and do well in a hot climate. Their features include deep roots and leathery leaves, which retain moisture. Just make sure to protect them from the UK’s colder climates.’
Callistemon (also known as the bottlebrush plant) has dense cylindrical spikes of crimson flowers on the ends of aromatic green foliage. It flowers best when grown in full sun, and in moist but well-drained soil, sheltered from cold winds. Ideal for flower beds and borders, position callistemon against walls and fences where its bright flowers will pop more brightly.
Where to buy callistemon plants:
6. Sea holly
‘Sea holly (Eryngium) is another plant that loves dry weather and is a bit more unusual looking, with its spiky, silvery-blue flowerheads that wouldn’t look out of place in a coastal garden,’ suggests Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres.
‘Sea holly is tougher than it looks and actually does better when you leave it to fend for itself, so it is perfect for planting when conditions are dry and will cope in a heatwave.’
With purple, thistle-shaped flowers and spiky, architectural foliage, sea holly looks striking planted in garden borders, rising in drifts above low-growing plants or paired with billowy ornamental grasses or cottage-style flowers like salvias and alliums.
Where to buy sea holly plants:
7. Silverbush
‘Originating from the coastal areas and limestone hills of Spain, Italy, and Croatia, the silverbush is highly prized for its exceptional drought tolerance and ability to thrive in the baking sun,’ says Shelley. ‘Much like salvia, this hardy plant only needs a deep watering during heatwaves when the soil has dried out completely.’
‘While its delicate, white trumpet flowers can handle the heat, they may fade a bit faster in hot weather. Regularly deadheading these blooms will encourage a bushier shrub and stimulate a fresh flush of new flowers.’
Where to buy silverbush plants:
8. Achillea
‘Achillea is another star pick for a potentially warmer climate,’ suggests Julian. ‘Achillea boasts flat-topped flowers in yellow, pink or red, sitting on feathery foliage that copes well in poor soil.’
‘Achillea is one of those low-maintenance plants that genuinely seems to prefer being left to its own devices, so it can thrive with little water,’ adds Julian.
Plant achillea in sunny borders with well-drained soil. Achillea’s flat-headed blooms look good when paired with plants that provide a contrasting shape, such as spiky salvias or feathery grasses. Deadhead flowers through the summer to encourage more blooms, leaving a few flower heads if you want to collect seed.
Where to buy achillea plants:
Has your garden been suffering in the heat? Are there any plants that are thriving in your garden in the heat? Let us know.
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