No Hosepipe, No Problem: Drought Tolerant Flowers for Your Summer Garden

Drought Tolerant Flowers That Thrive in the Heat

“There are some cut flowers and garden plants that have not only survived but dare I say thrived in the heat.”

I think we can all agree this year has been nothing short of tricky for us gardeners. While the heat has been fabulous for some plants, the combination of hosepipe bans and persistently high temperatures hasn’t been kind to everything!

The Resilient Beauty of Achillea

That said, there are some cut flowers and garden plants that have not only survived but dare I say thrived in the heat. In my garden, one real standout has been Achillea, also known as yarrow. It’s been absolutely gorgeous, flowering away with barely any need for watering. I mainly grow it for cutting, and while it does have a tendency to spread, it’s a fabulous addition to borders. With such a wide range of colours available, there’s definitely one to suit your garden style.

Lavender and Nepeta: Heatwave Heroes

Two more stars in my garden have been Nepeta and Lavender. I’ve been using lavender as a scented element in bouquets which has been a lifesaver, especially since my purple larkspur faded much quicker than expected. Nepeta (or catmint) has added a lovely splash of colour and truly proven its resilience through the recent heatwaves. I was a little hesitant to plant it at first, worrying it might attract all 50 neighbourhood cats but I’m pleased to report it’s been absolutely fine!

Salvias Steal the Show

“It’s my firm belief that every garden should have at least one salvia!”

Another heat lover that’s thrived is Salvia nemorosa ‘Sensation Rose’. It’s bloomed beautifully and consistently for months with barely any watering and the bees adore it! There are several salvia varieties that are drought tolerant, and I’ve recently added a few more to my garden. One of my favourites is Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ similar to ‘Sensation Rose’ but in a deep, stunning purple. It’s my firm belief that every garden should have at least one salvia!

Making Space for Echinacea

One flower I was surprisingly lacking is Echinacea. This drought tolerant, hard working perennial comes in so many beautiful shades and shapes. I’ve now corrected that gap and ordered six new echinacea varieties for my borders. I tried growing some from seed, but unfortunately, they didn’t make it so my next best option was to buy established plants. Aside from being gorgeous and a pollinator favourite, echinacea can cope well with dry conditions. It’s worth noting that because mine are newly planted, they’ll need consistent watering during their first year. But once established, they’ll be a brilliant addition for future heatwaves and bonus: they double as cut flowers for my bouquets. Win win!

Soil Matters More Than Ever

Right now, I’m focusing on mulching and conditioning my soil. Both my raised beds and borders have had a much needed refresh and a top up of compost and manure. Because my garden is a new build, I didn’t add much goodness to the original soil (if you can even call it that!) in the beginning. I’ve learned a lot since then, and I’m working to fix it year by year. I truly believe the poor soil has contributed to the garden’s struggles during these heatwaves it simply hasn’t been able to hold onto moisture.

Looking Ahead: Mulch for Next Summer

So my advice? Make mulching your top priority this winter and spring. It will pay off next summer your plants (and future self) will thank you!