Six Heat-Tolerant Plants That Thrive During the Summer

Many places across the country are seeing the effects of rainless weeks. Unfortunately, homeowners are getting hit with costly water bills to revive woefully brown grass patches, wilted leaves, and emaciated flowers.

While the scorching sun can cause significant damage to your landscaping, there are preventative ways to minimize dehydration to ensure your plants grow green and healthy.

Read on for six heat-tolerant plants that can withstand high temperatures and dry conditions. 

1. Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora)

Moss roses are flowering annuals that can serve as beautiful grown cover. They come in different varieties, which produce white, orange, yellow, or red flowers. A native of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, moss roses have succulent leaves that help them survive in conditions where drought is common.

Moss roses:

–        Needs full sun (6-8 hours per day) to produce a lush mat of flowers

–        Grows 3- 8 inches tall with proper sunlight and irrigation

–        Thrives in dryer soil in USDA hardiness zones 2-11

–        Serves as an excellent accent flower for rock gardens

2. Victoria blue salvia (Mealycup sage)

Like other salvias, Victoria blue is known for its bright violet-blue blossoms. Salvia is drought-tolerant, easy to maintain, and an excellent option for flower beds.

Victoria blue salvia:

• Is commonly planted in spring and grows from 1-3 feet tall
• May seed itself and is an considered an annual in the Philadelphia area
• Should be planted in an environment with full sun or partial shade
• Thrives in a well-drained neutral to acidic soil pH, growing in hardiness zones 8-10

Be sure to keep salvias sheared to ground level over the winter months. Come spring, your efforts will be rewarded with beautiful purple blossoms!

3. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

There are 300 different varieties of Artemisia. This perennial comes in forms of white and yellow, standing at 1-5 feet tall. Mugwort produces a powerful scent and has been used as insect repellant for thousands of years.

Mugwort:

– Does well with full sun exposure in well-drained soil

– Blooms successfully in an acidic, neutral, or alkaline soil pH

– Grows in the USDA hardiness zones 3-10

Note: Avoid French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), which is toxic to pets and should not be grown near fruits or vegetables. 

4. Cheddar pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus)

Despite its namesake, Cheddar pink is an evergreen perennial with richly scented rose to pink flowers. It’s an excellent edging plant that works well in raised beds where it can spill over the edges.

Cheddar pink:

• Originated in Cheddar Gorge, England
• Thrives in full sun exposure, growing to heights of 5-6 inches
• Prefers dry, chalky soil that has alkaline to neutral pH
• Grows in the USDA hardiness zones 4-8

Note: Be thoughtful when choosing a location for this plant, as it can be toxic to pets and horses.

5. Japanese holly (Ilex crenata)

Japanese holly is an evergreen shrub that remains green throughout the winter months. This low-maintenance option is known for attracting bees and other pollinators.

Japanese holly:

• Needs to be planted in a site with good soil drainage
• Grows best in hardiness zones 5-8
• Can reach 10 feet tall and 3-8 feet wide in full to partial sunlight
• Likely will not need pruning to maintain an aesthetically pleasing shape

Note: Japanese holly can be toxic to humans, dogs, and cats if eaten.

6. St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Many people consider St. John’s wort to be the greatest groundcover on the market. Known for their colorful blossoms showcasing tiny whiskers in the center of five yellow petals, St. John’s wort is a beloved favorite by gardeners across the country.

St. John’s wort has been used in traditional European medicine as far back as the ancient Greeks. Research has shown this herbaceous plant with distinctive yellow buds can fight signs of depression.

St. John’s wort:

–        Exhibits a perennial life cycle, growing from 1 to 3 feet tall

–        Blooms in June through September in hardiness zones 3 to 8.

–        Flourishes in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil of average moisture content

Let’s Discuss Your Landscaping Project!

If you need help selecting or planting heat-tolerant plants to ensure your yard looks beautiful throughout the year, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation.

Book an appointment with one of our professional landscape designers today: http://garrettchurchill.local/get-a-quote