Yes, we’re in May – and it finally feels like it! But as glorious as the sunshine is, it’s time to think ahead… because the plants you choose now will be the ones you’re caring for during the summer heat. If you're filling a sunny spot – whether it's a border, patio pot or balcony box – let’s be smart about it.
This is your chance to get ahead with tougher, more drought-tolerant varieties that can handle the heat with a lot less fuss. They’ll still give you colour, scent and structure – but without the constant watering and wilting drama. 💦
Let’s plan a garden that’s not just gorgeous now, but still looking fab in July!
🌸 Sizzling Choices for Hot, Sunny Borders & Pots
Looking for showstoppers that won’t sulk in the sun? Try these beauties:
Coreopsis – Bright, daisy-like blooms in sunshine yellow and warm reds. Long-flowering and full of cheer!
Achillea (Yarrow) – Flat, sunset-shaded flowerheads that pollinators love. Looks fab with grasses too.
Verbena bonariensis – Tall, see-through stems topped with purple flowers. Butterflies adore it!
Nepeta (Catmint) – Fragrant, tough, and great in the front of a border. Bees are big fans.
Erigeron karvinskianus – A soft, frothy spreader that spills beautifully over pots, paving and walls.
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower) – Pretty, compact and keeps flowering for weeks on end.
Artemisia – Silver, scented leaves for contrast and texture. Very drought tolerant and looks cool in hot borders!
💡 Need a Few More Ideas?
Here are some great alternative drought-tolerant plants, by type, that deserve a spot in your garden:
🌸 Drought-Tolerant Bedding & Baskets – Colour That Keeps Going!
Not all summer bedding plants are thirsty! These beauties love the sun and don’t mind it a bit dry:
Zonal Geraniums (Pelargoniums) – Glossy leaves, bold blooms, and incredible staying power. Perfect for pots or beds.
Balcony Geraniums (Trailing Pelargoniums) – Ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes, they spill over with colour and need less water than most.
Busy Lizzies (Impatiens New Guinea types) – Modern varieties cope better with sun and heat than their predecessors – great for colour in tricky spots.
Gazania – These daisy-like blooms only open in sunshine, adding a splash of tropical colour to dry soils.
Bidens – Masses of golden flowers that go on forever. Great for pots and pollinators.
Portulaca (Sun Rose) – A ground-hugging marvel with fleshy leaves and neon-bright blooms. Super drought-resistant.
Give them a sunny spot, water well when planting, then sit back and enjoy low-effort colour all summer.
🌿 Perennials:
Santolina (Lavender Cotton) – Silver foliage and button flowers – brilliant for pots and low hedging.
Caryopteris (Bluebeard) – Late-flowering blue blooms and a magnet for bees.
🌳 Shrubs:
Lavatera (Mallow) – Fast-growing with long-lasting pink or white blooms.
Halimiocistus – A tough-as-boots hybrid with cheerful summer flowers.
Escallonia – Compact, evergreen and flowers for ages!
Hebe – Especially compact types – ideal for dry borders and containers.
Cotinus (Smoke Bush) – Big leaves, bold colours, and fluffy flower clouds.
Elaeagnus × ebbingei – Great for screening with sweet-scented blooms in autumn.
Rosa rugosa – Rugged roses with scented flowers and striking hips.
Pot & Basket Survival Guide
Even drought-tolerant plants need a helping hand to settle in. Here’s how to keep your pots and baskets thriving when things heat up:
Use moisture-retaining compost – This holds water for longer and helps roots stay hydrated.
Add water-storing granules – They swell up and release water slowly as the plant needs it.
Sit pots on saucers – Helps stop water running straight out of the bottom, especially on dry days.
Group pots together – They’ll shade each other and reduce evaporation.
Watering Kits – Try Hozelock’s automatic watering systems to take the stress (and forgetfulness!) out of summer watering.
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch! – Top your pots and beds with bark or gravel to lock moisture in and keep roots cool.
🛒 Shopping List – Essentials for Hot Weather Planting:
Miracle-Gro Peat Free Moisture Control Compost, ££6.99/40L
AquaGel Water Retaining Crystals , £4.99/200g , £9.99/800g
Hozelock 2-in-1 45m hose reel with 25 m hose & fittings & FREE sprayer. £39.99
Hozelock Tricoflex Ultraflex (anti-twist anti-kink) 30m hose £49.99
Hozelock autoreel + 25m hose, and FREE multispray gun plus (worth £20) £139.99
Mulch with Westlands Bark 100L, £9.99
Saucers from £1.99/plastic, or from £6.99 for glazed terracotta
Decorative Pot Feet, £2 or £3,99 for sets of 3- various colours
The sun’s here, the soil is warming up, and your garden is ready to go! Let’s plant smart now so you can relax later – with borders and pots that keep blooming all summer long. 😎🌺
