A horticulturalist has identified 11 plants that are particularly adaptable, capable of withstanding both hot and wet conditions. Louise Curley, writing in The Times, highlighted these plants as standout performers in her own garden.
Why These Plants?
Curley noted that while many moisture-loving perennials like astrantia, astilbe, actaea, and bistorta struggle in summer heat, Lythrum salicaria 'Blush' (purple loosestrife) remains green and in full bloom. She emphasized that gardeners must accept changing conditions and embrace trial and error.
The recommended plants include Foeniculum vulgare, Hydrangea 'Limelight', Stachys byzantina, Pinus mugo 'Mops', Verbena bonariensis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Hylotelephium 'Matrona', Trachelospermum jasminoides, Acer campestre, Nepeta 'Walker's Low', and Arbutus unedo.
Standout Choices
Curley highlighted three plants as particularly adaptable. Acer campestre, or field maple, is a native English tree praised for its robustness and autumn color. It can reach 12 meters, but the dwarf cultivar 'Nanum' suits smaller gardens.
Verbena bonariensis, beloved by Alan Titchmarsh, offers slender stems with magenta flowers that float among other plants, blooming from June to November and providing seeds for birds.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is tough, drought-tolerant, and unfussy about soil, producing feathery foliage and yellow umbels attractive to insects. It self-seeds, so unwanted plants should be removed early.
Additional August Tips
Gardener Diarmuid Gavin suggests August is ideal for sowing fast-growing salad leaves and radishes, and for propagating strawberry runners by pegging them into the soil, ready to separate in six weeks.
