


Some Like It Hot: Drought Tolerant Plants












Lantanas have come from complete obscurity to becoming a mainstay in our gardens. The many new short varieties (30-40cm), like the ‘Lucky Series’ and the more pastel shades of the ‘Landmark Series’ provide a fresh range of colours. They are great in hanging baskets and containers but are also quite at home in garden beds. These new varieties don’t shatter nearly as much as the older forms, and they bloom well into fall.






Blue is a great colour for summer, giving cool contrast to the heat. Lucky for us, annual salvias have really expanded their offering of blue hues. ‘Blue Victoria’ has given way to the shorter version ‘Rhea’ that grows a compact 30cm high with the same rich blue flower. ‘Evolution Deep Violet’ is another award winner, with darker, richer 15-17cm violet spikes that top 45cm plants.
Petunias are the reigning queens of hot vibrant colour and today there are many incredible shades and blends to fit any sunny décor. Try the ‘Confetti’ combinations for sophisticated colour, or ‘Waves’ to create an eye-catching “pop” in your garden.
These are just a few seasonal beauties that can be enjoyed without fear of sunstroke or watering restrictions, and they would be a welcome addition to summer containers and larger gardens. Now is the time to get them growing and well-established before the temperatures really rise, so be sure to add them to your summer shopping list today!


