June has seen record-breaking temperatures, and with more very hot weather like this expected over the summer, our gardens are taking a punishing. While my garden border plants are coping ok as they’re able to draw on moisture deeper underground, it’s the thirsty potted plants that are suffering most in the heat, which has got me thinking about low-maintenance container plant options that might do better in these very hot and dry spells.
‘It’s all about gardeners thinking differently about what they plant and choosing drought-tolerant plants that won’t wilt the moment the sun comes out,’ according to Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres.
‘Gardeners don’t need to dread these hotter summers,’ says Julian, ‘they just need to plant a bit smarter. Pick the right plants, get the timing right, and a garden can sail through a heatwave without anyone having to stand out there with a hosepipe every evening to protect plants.’
1. Lavender
‘If you want containers that look beautiful without needing constant attention, lavender is one of the best picks,’ says David Denyer, flower and garden expert at Eflorist. ‘Lavender is more prone to over-watering than under-watering and actually prefers drier soil, perfect for the summer months. It brings fragrance, soft colour and plenty of pollinator appeal, so it is a lovely choice for a patio, doorstep or cottage-style container display.’
‘You can’t really go wrong with lavender,’ agrees Julian. ‘Plant it somewhere sunny with decent drainage, and it’ll flower its heart out all summer while the bees do the rest of the work for you.’
Where to buy lavender plants:
2. Geraniums
‘My next pick would be geraniums,’ says David. ‘Geraniums are a UK summer staple for good reason, because, similar to lavender, they love a sunny spot, prefer not to be constantly wet, and will flower for months with very little fuss.’
‘Deadheading geraniums will give them a helping hand, but even with the most minimal intervention they’ll still do you proud and look great during the summer,’ adds David.
Chris Bonnett, owner of Gardening Express, agrees: ‘Geraniums come in a variety of shades and require very little maintenance. They tend to bloom annually and will fade once summer ends. With plenty of sunlight, well-draining soil, and regular watering, geraniums will thrive with minimal effort.’
Where to buy geranium plants:
Shop these planters
Scalloped Edge Smooth Fibre Clay Plant Pot
Small Terracotta Symmetry Stripe Fibre Clay Garden Planter
Three Fern Planters – Pale Slate
3. Verbena
‘Verbenas will keep a neat and colourful appearance and are great for really sunny spots, producing clusters of colourful flowers from late spring all the way into autumn,’ says David.
Summer bedding verbenas tend to be quite compact (about 30cm tall) and are great for containers and tubs. Trailing varieties of verbena will cascade over the sides of containers, so they are brilliant for hanging baskets and window boxes.
‘Alternatively, a perennial like this verbena bonariensis purple top, from £6.39 at Crocus, is a great drought-tolerant plant that makes a statement with its height in flower beds and borders,’ adds Julian. ‘Thin stems shoot up tall with clouds of purple flowers on top, so it looks like it’s floating above everything else in the border.’
Where to buy verbena bedding plants:
4. Erigeron karvinskianus
‘Erigeron karvinskianus (also known as Mexican fleabane) is a wonderfully tough, low-maintenance plant, tolerating dry conditions well once established,’ suggests David. ‘They produce soft clouds of small white and pink daisy-like flowers that are more than happy in well-drained pots, cracks and walls.’
To grow erigeron karvinskianus, start seeds off, like these erigeron karvinskianus ‘Profusion ‘ seeds, £2.49 from Suttons, popping them in trays or small pots (or buy plug plants) and then plant them up in your container, with well-drained soil and in a sunny spot on the patio. Once established, it requires very little looking after and being a self-seeder, it will often spread of its own accord.
Where to buy erigeron karvinskianus plants:
5. Bidens
‘Bidens are more drought-tolerant than many bedding plants and will cope well with the odd missed watering,’ suggests David. ‘Through most of the season, you’ll be treated to a lovely yellow or white daisy-like flower which can work really well when spilling over container edges.’
Plant bidens in rich compost, like this Miracle-Gro All Purpose Enriched Compost, £8.54 from Amazon, with good drainage and position pots in full sun. They need little root space, so are perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes and planters. As well as requiring very little watering, they don’t need to be deadheaded and will continue producing new blooms.
Where to buy biden plants:
6. Shasta daisies
‘Shasta daisies are another great choice for summer containers,’ suggests Chris. ‘They usually appear in white with yellow centres, and these hardy flowers tolerate a variety of conditions, whether full sun, partial shade, or differing soil types.’
‘They only require light watering and can withstand periods of drought, making them an ideal low-maintenance planting choice – you can expect to see shasta daisies blooming throughout the summer months.’
When planting Shasta daisies in window boxes or pots, ensure that the container has adequate drainage and use an all-purpose potting compost, like this Westland Multi Purpose Compost with John Innes Peat Free, £6.28 from Amazon. And opt for a ceramic or plastic container if you can, which will retain moisture better than terracotta pots.
Where to buy Shasta daisy plants:
7. Echinacea
‘Echinacea (or coneflowers) can handle dry and sunny conditions perfectly and will continue to produce their bold, daisy-like blooms through summer into early autumn,’ says Chris. ‘Not only do they attract pollinators, but they also provide food for birds later in the season, thanks to their seed heads.’
When growing coneflowers in pots, opt for a compact variety, like this Echinacea Little Magnus, £10.99 at B&Q. Shorter varieties like this are more manageable and less prone to toppling over in strong winds. Just ensure that you choose a deep, sturdy pot.
Where to buy echinacea plants:
8. Sedum
‘Look closely at the leaves, and you’ll see why sedums cope so well with hot and dry heat,’ says Julian. ‘Sedums are thick and fleshy, so they are basically little water tanks. Leave sedum alone in a dry spell, and it won’t even flinch; then it turns a rich rusty red as autumn comes in.’
‘Sedum foliage actually stores water, which makes it far more forgiving during dry spells than many traditional bedding plants, and they even look attractive when not in bloom,’ adds David.
Where to buy sedum plants:
Adapt watering during hot spells
‘Make sure you water deeply but less often,’ advises Julian. ‘A good soak encourages roots to grow down into the soil rather than staying near the surface, which makes plants far more resilient when a dry spell hits.’
‘A layer of mulch around the base of plants also makes a big difference, helping to lock moisture into the soil so it doesn’t evaporate as quickly in the heat.’
‘Timing matters too. Planting in autumn or early spring, rather than the height of summer, gives roots time to properly settle in before the heat arrives, so your plants are far better prepared when the next hot spell comes around.’
Plant pot watering essentials
Westland
Water Saving Gel (250g)
Coopers of Stortford
Root Watering Spikes Pack of 12
Hozelock
Drip Watering Kit 20 Pot
Are your garden containers flagging in the heat? Share your summer watering tips with us.
TOPICS
Read the full article here