30 Dec 2024

Beat the Heat with These Resilient Summer Beauties!

KwaZulu-Natal summers bring intense heat, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to suffer. Many stunning plants thrive in the heat and keep your garden brimming with colour and life. We’ve put together some of our favourite heat-loving plants to add to your summer garden.

Agapanthus

Known for their striking blue or white flowers, Agapanthus are a summer staple.

  • Why It Beats the Heat: Indigenous to South Africa, these plants are built to handle hot weather and dry spells.
  • Garden Uses: Plant en masse for dramatic borders or use in rockeries and pots.

Bidens

A cheerful addition to any garden, Bidens feature bright yellow blooms that love the sun.

  • Why It Beats the Heat: These flowers thrive in full sun and don’t mind the heat, offering months of colour.
  • Garden Uses: Great for containers, hanging baskets, or as edging plants in sunny beds.

Cleome (Spider Flower)

These elegant, tall plants produce clusters of delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

  • Why It Beats the Heat: Cleomes are tough and drought-tolerant once established, making them perfect for sunny spots.
  • Garden Uses: Plant them at the back of flower beds for height, or mix them with shorter flowers for a layered effect.

Marigolds

These sunny, low-maintenance blooms are garden classics for a reason.

  • Why It Beats the Heat: Marigolds are heat and drought-tolerant, thriving even in poor soils.
  • Garden Uses: Great for borders, vegetable gardens (to repel pests), or as cheerful fillers in sunny spots.

Portulacas

With their succulent leaves and vibrant flowers, Portulacas are a summer treasure.

  • Why It Beats the Heat: These plants thrive in hot, dry conditions, needing little more than sunshine to flourish.
  • Garden Uses: Use them in rock gardens, between stepping stones, or as ground cover in sunny areas.

Torennias 

These low-growing plants produce an abundance of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, and yellow.

  • Why It Beats the Heat: While they enjoy some shade, Torennias are surprisingly heat-tolerant and thrive in humid conditions.
  • Garden Uses: Perfect for hanging baskets or shaded containers to add pops of colour.

Zinnias

With their bold, vibrant colours, Zinnias are a garden favourite.

  • Why It Beats the Heat: Zinnias thrive in full sun and tolerate heat beautifully, blooming profusely all summer long.
  • Garden Uses: Ideal for cutting gardens, flower beds, or containers.

Heat-Proof Gardening Tips

  1. Mulch: Add mulch around your plants to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
  2. Water Smart: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth.
  3. Companion Planting: Pair heat-tolerant plants with those that need a little shade.
  4. Choose the Right Spot: Ensure full-sun plants receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

With these resilient plants, you can enjoy a colourful, thriving garden even during the hottest part of summer. 🌞

DISCLAIMER:  The information presented on this website is intended solely as a general guide. We neither endorse specific plant varieties over others nor claim expertise in stock performance. All information is believed to be accurate, based on private inquiries and experiences, and is provided in good faith. Blackwood’s, including its employees, disclaims any responsibility for harm, loss, cost, or damage arising from the use or reliance upon any information on this website, especially if any part of the information proves to be inaccurate or incomplete. Please note that the displayed photos are may not be representative of current stock but are used for illustrative purposes only.