With the UK experiencing persistent hot weather, many gardeners may think it futile to grow anything in July. However, horticultural expert Adam Kirtland, known as View From The Potting Bench on TikTok, has identified three plants that require no watering during summer and actually thrive in soaring temperatures.
Lavender: A Classic Choice
Kirtland began with lavender, calling it an "absolute classic" and a "must-have" for any garden. He explained that lavender likes dry, free-draining compost and full sun. It can be started in a small or large pot and later moved to a flowerbed. The pale purple plant is widely available at garden centres.
Echinacea: Pollinator-Friendly and Colourful
Next, Kirtland highlighted echinacea, also known as coneflower, as one of his all-time favourites. It comes in a wide range of colours; he recently chose a pink variety. Echinacea is beloved by pollinators "from bud to flower to dried seed head" and looks amazing all year round, according to Kirtland.
Agapanthus: Best Saved for Last
Rounding off his top three, Kirtland called agapanthus "beautiful" and said he had "saved the best for last." He noted it suits both small gardens and sprawling estates. The trick for cultivating it is to grow several plants rather than just one, then repeat them throughout the garden. Agapanthus has amazing root systems, making it perfect for dividing and splitting.
Kirtland concluded that garden centres are full of similar flowers to keep gardens bursting with colour all summer long.
RHS Guidance on Summer Plants
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also recommends lavender and other sun-loving shrubs for summer. Their guidance states: "The shrubs that flower at this time are numerous and varied... Many are sun-lovers from warmer climes like cistus and lavender." They also highlight hydrangeas as popular summer-flowering shrubs, noting that bloom colour indicates soil type: blue for acidic, pink for alkaline.
