The UK has been gripped by heatwave and drought conditions, and some garden plants are unlikely to bounce back - but experts share which ones are worth saving and how to help them survive08:23, 21 Aug 2026Parts of the UK have been placed under drought status as gardeners struggle to work out which plants will make it through the heatwave and which are beyond saving.‌This summer has brought what feels like relentless dry spells, with the driest July on record at just 7%. Consequently, people's outdoor efforts have taken a battering, and they're seeking expert guidance on what steps to take next.‌Horticulture specialists at GardeningExpress.co.uk are offering advice to gardeners on which plants are genuinely worth rescuing and which are unlikely to withstand the soaring temperatures and absence of rainfall.‌According to them, established perennials, trees and shrubs stand a better chance of surviving the drought-like conditions, but anything planted recently will find it difficult to cope with the extended heat.You might even spot signs of heat damage such as scorched leaves or premature leaf drop, though this may not be overly concerning and could simply be surface-level damage. Many plants can be brought back to life through deep watering, mulching, deadheading and pruning, but for certain varieties, the heat will have wiped out any hope of survival.‌On a more positive note, several plants do stand a reasonable chance of recovery, and these are the ones worth focusing on once the weather improves.LawnsGrass is a prime example — despite lawns appearing to have taken the worst battering from the heat, they will bounce back after a "decent spell of rain" and return to a lush, vibrant green.Long-lasting trees and shrubsWell-established perennials, shrubs and trees, thanks to their deep root systems, should recover once temperatures drop and watering resumes. Any signs of 'death' are likely to be purely cosmetic and shouldn't cause any lasting damage to larger plants — simply give them a little time.‌BulbsThese are already dormant at this time of year so shouldn't be affected by the heat. Although the lack of rain may mean that their blooms are prolonged, and could be less sizeable than the previous year.RosesRose bushes will be under considerable stress, and as you notice leaves and buds dropping, it's important not to panic. With regular rainfall and consistent watering, they should bounce back before too long.‌Plants that won't make itPopular summer plants that won't quite make it despite their striking colour include rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. These are acid-loving evergreen shrubs that flourish in moisture and depend heavily on rainfall for growth and development, so this heat spells disaster for them.Container plants and hanging baskets are also among those with slim chances of pulling through. Unless you've been diligently keeping up with watering, these plants are likely to be parched and wilted by now — and unfortunately, there's little that can be done to save them.Vegetables are another casualty once they've 'bolted' — a process where the plant shoots up a tall flower stalk and produces seeds prematurely, resulting in a bitter, woody taste that you certainly wouldn't want ending up in your kitchen.Article continues belowHorticulturist Chris Bonnett said: "This summer has been unlike any other. The heat has been intense, but more alarming has been the lack of rain - and our gardens have really taken a hit."As a general rule, those plants more recently added to your garden are those least likely to survive. They won't have the root systems of more established plants and will be less likely to recover from the drought conditions."Established plants may look beaten by the weather right now - there are lots of brown lawns, dropping and dead leaves and lots of dead blooms - but they will recover with gentle care and pruning and once we get some rain."