This summer has certainly put plants to the test. Long periods of heat, very little rain and one heatwave following another have made for challenging conditions, particularly on our lighter, free-draining soils. Yet, as ever, there have been plenty of plants that have not only survived but continued to look remarkably good.
Some have flowered for months, others have held onto good foliage despite the heat and dryness, while a few have surprised us by producing a second flush of flowers after being cut back. It is always interesting to see which plants really earn their place in the garden when conditions become challenging.
Now, as we head towards the end of September, with daytime temperatures still reaching above 20ºC, we have been reflecting on the summer and revisiting our list of plants that have coped particularly well.
These are some of the plants that have stood out this summer, bringing colour, texture, and good foliage to the garden, with many continuing to give plenty of interest well into autumn.
There are of course so many more wonderfully tough plants out there, that took a beating from the summer heat, but are now bouncing back again.
As always, when choosing plants, it is important to consider your local climate, aspect and soil type.
Plants growing in dry shade have really been put to the test this year, and not all have coped well with the heat. Even when planting in autumn, giving plants plenty of time to settle in, it’s worth remembering that they may still need some spot watering next summer during periods of extreme heat. Once their roots have worked their way deeper into the soil, they should become more resilient.
Microclimate can also make a big difference in how plants cope with the hot weather. Creating a dense, layered border, rather than leaving lots of open ground between plants can help shade the soil, reduce evaporation and create cooler conditions at ground level.
Aster ageratoides ‘Ezo Murasaki’
Fuchsia (hardy ones)
There is always something to learn from a difficult season. A hot, dry summer can reveal strengths that are less obvious in easier years, showing us which plants are genuinely well suited to the conditions in which we ask them to grow.
With our climate changing, we also need to be willing to adapt. A plant we always considered suitable for dry shade, for example, may struggle if summers become hotter and drier. Gardening is a constant process of observation and learning, so it’s important to keep an open mind, experiment and learn from each other’s experiences.
We would love to hear from you in the comments below – which plants have been your best performers, and what type of soil are you growing them in?
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