How To Select Heat-Loving Plants that Can Handle Summer

Once it gets swelteringly hot and the temperatures hit the ceiling, you know it’s summer. And it’s time to bid your blooming garden goodbye as the vibrant colors give way to faded colors.

However, you can keep your gardens radiant even in summer.

While the sunny seasons aren’t ideal for most common plants, some plants are equipped to thrive in such weather. Selecting the right plants for hot climates like Canberra ACT, preserves your garden’s bloom.

The secret to picking these heat-loving perennials lies in this definitive guide. So, keep scrolling to learn what flowers to plant in summer.

What Makes a Plant Heat-tolerant?

Heat-tolerant plants or flowers simply thrive and remain healthy, irrespective of what the thermometer says. It means they seamlessly soak up the heat and keep up with photosynthesis. Even under extreme conditions that wither other plants or flowers.

Now, what’s the best way to recognize these plants besides putting them to the test?

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Garden

Having a thriving garden in hot climates like Canberra’s is all about making the right plant choices. Beyond this, knowing how they fit into your local environments or landscaping needs is important.

Consider the following factors:

Determine Your Plant Hardiness Zone

This may be tricky. That is because we largely rely on the USDA (the United States Department of Agriculture) map of hardiness zones. However, Australian climate zones don’t have direct correspondence with USDA hardiness zones.

But this map will guide you, roughly estimating the appropriate hardiness for your zone. Besides this map, you may use plant indicators to determine the plant hardiness zone.

This means you’ll know if a particular common plant like Aleovera thrives in your environment or warmer climates from experience. Judging by plants with similar requirements, you may determine if a flower grows more or less in areas where Aleovera grows.

But this method isn’t failproof as most plant species vary in requirements and needs.

Assess Your Environment

Beyond the basic temperature, analyze sun exposure areas in your garden. What are the wind patterns around you? Dry or humid air? Specific environment needs like this affect plant growth in the long run.

Therefore, we suggest researching what plants suit these specific environmental factors.

Think Native

Believe it or not, native plants generally need less maintenance than non-native species. Thus, you’ll save time and effort in the long run.

How do you find native plants that thrive in your environment? Do your due diligence to see a list of native plants that flourish in sunny climates.

Knowing Your Temperature Extremes

Again, picking the right plant depends on your temperature extremes. Every climate has extremes, from scorching hot temperatures to extreme colds—what’s yours? For Canberra, which has severe heat waves, heat-tolerant plants that can handle the variations in heat are more suitable.

Soil Considerations

Some plants thrive in acidic soil, while others grow better in alkaline soil. Therefore, the choice of plants and soil composition must match to keep your garden in tip-top condition.

Consult an Expert

Another best way to ensure you pick the right plants is to rely on local nurseries or experienced horticulturists. Their insightful recommendations come in handy to help you make the right decisions on what works best for your climate.

What plants can endure high temperatures?

List of Heat-Tolerant Plants for Hot Seasons

The following plants are for hot temperatures when the heat bears down on us:

1. Lisianthus

Native to warmer regions like Mexico and Northern South America, Lisianthus naturally grows in scorching areas. It’s not surprising that Lisianthus is suitable for Australian hot weather.

Although most people confuse it for a classic rose, it’s pretty different. However, it’s highly attractive and would improve the vibrancy of your garden. Lisianthus often lasts about three weeks in a vase.

2. Callistemon ‘Captain Cook”

Hardy yet attractive, Callistemon has tough skin for hot and freezing weather. With red flowers that native birds find appealing, this low-maintenance flower is excellent for your garden in this weather.

3. Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Gem’

Westringia is native to Australia and blooms in both inland and coastal conditions. This versatile plant, boasting a soft blue-lilac flower, remains lush even in extreme heat. It would accentuate your garden’s palette even when other flowers have lost their colors.

4. Prostanthera ‘Mint Bush’

This flower has unique features that stand out in your garden. It’s even more impressive that the spearmint-like shrub is drought-tolerant. Besides aesthetics, Prostanthera adds a soothing aroma to your garden.

5. Correa ‘Marian’s Marvel’

Correa is a tubular flowering shrub that grows wildly in Australia. It has oval, dry green leaves, but the flowers are peachy-pink taped with cream-yellow rims. These flowers can handle extreme weather conditions, from heatwaves to frosty spells, keeping your garden strikingly beautiful.

6. Hardenbergia ‘Happy Wanderer’

Like its name suggests, Happy Wanderer gives your garden a cheery look. This climbing beauty grows even in hot conditions, adding colors to your fences. With dark green foliage and purple petals, this flower can make summer seasons more showy.

7. Melaleuca ‘Revolution Green’

This plant flowers summer through autumn, living up to its name, “revolution green,” with its slender green foliage. Clusters of fluffy white flowers grow along the stems and appear during summer to attract native birds. Generally, Melaleuca leaves a refreshing feeling.

8. Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’

Although it grows better in well-drained soil, Grevillea is a striking flower. Best part? It stays that way all year round. Grevillea boasts striking red spider-like flowers that are popular with native birds.

Care Tips for Heat-Loving Plants

While these plants can endure almost any condition, some basic care practices improve their flourishing. Here are the most vital care tips for these heat-tolerant plants:

Watering

Although heat-resistant plants are drought-resistant, they require adequate watering at the early stage. Establishing them with regular watering boosts deeper root systems. Therefore, you’ll have more resilient plants in the long run.

Once established, you may adjust your watering to suit the needs and weather variations.

Mulching

Layering your plant with mulch enhances the soil’s ability to retain moisture. This protects the plant roots from harsh weather and impedes weed competition.

Fertilizing

While experts generally agree fertilizing in summer is tricky, there are ways to fertilize your plants with slow-released, balanced fertilizers. These options boost healthy growth without pushing conditions that plants can’t support.

Timing and Location

Undoubtedly, these plants bloom through summer. However, the planting timing can influence how well they thrive. In Canberra, ACT, for instance, it’s best to plant in cooler months to allow the plants to gain deeper roots. That way, they are more resilient throughout the heat waves.

Also, check for locations that match the plant’s shade, wind, and sun needs for protection.

Bottom Line

Selecting the right flowers that suit your environment is nonnegotiable. These flowers will ride you through the hotter month, keeping your garden colorful.

Heat-resistant plants adapt to the sun’s intense gaze without cowering. Note that gardening is a rewarding experience but a continuous one. You’ll learn to adjust and correct your mistakes.

Keep discovering the best flowers to withstand Canberra’s heat and bring more beauty to your garden.