When temperatures soar and rain becomes scarce, not all plants can handle the stress. Luckily, some heat-loving plants not only survive but thrive in the scorching sun. With a little planning, your garden can stay lush even through the hottest days.
From flowering favorites to hardy herbs, here are 10 plants that can take the heat and keep your garden looking vibrant.
Blue Chalksticks (Senecio serpens)
This striking succulent features powdery blue leaves and thrives in full sun and heat. It’s drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and adds an unusual color contrast to rock gardens or borders.
Rock Purslane (Calandrinia spectabilis)
Rock Purslane is a heat-tolerant, semi-succulent perennial with eye-catching magenta blooms. It thrives in dry, sunny conditions and adds vibrant color to xeriscapes and desert-style gardens.
Tecoma stans (Yellow Bells)
Also known as Yellow Bells or Esperanza, this sun-loving shrub boasts trumpet-shaped yellow flowers that bloom nonstop in the heat. It’s drought-tolerant, fast-growing, and attracts hummingbirds.
Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis fruticosa)
Not actually a sage, this Mediterranean native has woolly silver leaves and soft yellow blooms. It’s incredibly heat- and drought-resistant and adds texture to dry gardens.
Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
A cousin to the common blanket flower, this wildflower is native to hot, arid regions and thrives in poor soil. Its vibrant red-and-yellow daisy-like blooms make it a unique heatwave survivor.
Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
Despite its name, red yucca is not a true yucca but shares its toughness. It produces tall flower spikes with coral-red blooms and thrives in full sun and reflected heat.
Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
This tropical-looking shrub produces sky-blue flowers all summer long. It’s surprisingly tolerant of heat and drought once established, making it a gorgeous option for sunny borders.
Parry's Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)
A desert native with spires of pink tubular flowers, this penstemon variety is ideal for hot, dry regions. It’s loved by hummingbirds and thrives with very little water.
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
These round, papery blooms look like tiny clover balls and hold up beautifully in intense heat. They come in shades of magenta, purple, and white and last long in both gardens and bouquets.
Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)
This fuzzy ground cover spreads in sunny, dry spaces and tolerates both foot traffic and extreme temperatures. It’s perfect between stepping stones or as a low-growing filler.
Summer heat doesn’t have to mean a wilted garden. These tough, colorful plants thrive in high temperatures, giving you a vibrant, low-maintenance landscape all season long.
Comments
No Comments