When summer temperatures soar, we humans can take shelter indoors. Our garden plants, however, have no such respite.Some may droop, wilt or get crispy, while others may simply refuse to bloom. Although there’s not much we can do to counter extreme weather, we can equip our gardens to stand up to it better by choosing flowers that will shine through hot, dry stretches under a scorching sun.Plants growing in containers will always need more attention than their in-ground counterparts. That’s because their water and nutrient needs are completely dependent on us. Sometimes, after watering my pots in the morning, they’re bowing humbly by sunset.But well-established heat- and drought-tolerant garden plants have more modest needs and, if necessary, can stretch their roots to access water farther away.
Lots of pretty options to choose fromConeflower (Echinacea; hardy in zones 3-9) is the superstar of my garden. After watering throughout their first season to establish a healthy root system, I can neglect them and still enjoy a floriferous season. Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), their bedmates, are no slackers, either.Blanket flowers (Gaillardia) get their name from their spreading habit, as they blanket beds with yellow, orange and red blossoms. If you ask me, they should be called electric blanket flower for the heat they can take.Zinnias also flourish in the heat, although they can be susceptible to powdery mildew in high humidity.
