Ten Heatwave-Proof Plants
It’s clear our weather has changed and so I’m starting to shift what I plant - focusing only on tough plants that can tolerant heat and drought. It’s a tricky balance because our winters are increasingly wet so we need plants that can cope with extremes. I’m trying the following ten - they are all pretty resilient plants, they just wont tolerate are areas that get waterlogged in the winter months. Plant in the autumn, give them a good soak when you first put them in and then just leave them to it!
1. Euonymus japonicus
A tough evergreen shrub, useful for adding structure to the border and great for clipping into a formal hedge. When established it is really drought tolerant - I’ve seen it happily growing underneath pine trees, where moisture is at a minimum.
2. Ornamental grasses
So many ornamental grasses will cope with hot summers and give structure and interest to your borders for most of the year. Try Stipa tenuissima, a lovely soft grass that moves in the wind, Panicum Northwind for a really striking upright habit or Pennisetum Hameln with it’s soft white flowers. Knoll Gardens are an ornamental grass specialist and have many options on their website.
3. Lavender
A classic, fab plant - water it when you plant it but you’ll never need to after that. Plant it in full sun, try for free draining soil but it grows pretty well in my clay soil - just avoid anywhere that will get waterlogged in winter. Beautiful colour and such a bee magnet.
4. Verbena
Verbena bonariensis is tall, light and airy and can be weaved through the borders. It flowers for absolutely ages and bees and butterflies flock to it. There is no need to water and it will self seed if you let it. Shorter varieties can be found.
5. Baptisia australis
Baptisia has a deep tap root to take up water, making it tolerant of drought. It flowers in early summer and the colour is stunning. It doesn’t flower for long I find but the foliage is still pretty when the flowers have finished.
6. Agapanthus
Agapanthus was my first true plant love - I purchased one from Homebase round the corner from my home in London. Planted in full sun, it flowered beautifully every year in a lovely deep blue. Agapanthus flower in July, which is great as this can be a slow month in the garden after the early summer flowering rush.
7. Hylotelephium (Sedum / Stonecrop)
A wonderful late season plant, which is highly attractive to pollinators. Thick, fleshy leaves means the plant can hold onto water and ride out periods of drought. Expect flowers late summer into early autumn.
8. Thyme
A great little evergreen plant for the edges of borders in sun baked areas. It will slowly spread and it is really pretty when it flowers in early summer. Plant near to the back door for easy snipping when cooking.
9. Echinops
A real statement plant with bold, steel blue spiky flowers that stand out in your garden. A magnet for bees - it forms a lovely contrast to soft grasses. Echinops flower in July and August, carrying the colour in your garden through mid and late summer. Great structural plants for the winter border.
10. Fatsia japonica
Fatsia is evergreen shrub that is great for a tricky, dry shade spot. Mine grows near to a large conifer so it gets pretty much no moisture but it looks fabulous year round. The key is it gets very little direct sun so the spot is cool and shady where it thrives.
Others drought tolerant plants to try: Rosemary, Nepeta, Perovskia, Eryngium, Achillea, Potentilla, Ceanothus, Hebes, Alliums and Stachys.
If you live in Warwickshire and need help redesigning your garden to cope with the changing climate, please do get in touch.
