Flowering plants that can endure heat are an almost obligatory choice for gardening enthusiasts. Our summer seasons are becoming increasingly scorching. For this reason, when selecting garden flowers, perhaps perennial ones, it’s wise to choose species that are naturally better equipped to withstand the heat compared to others. These are flowers that benefit from full sun exposure, without compromising their blooming even when temperatures exceed the normal range.
In this article, through a photo gallery, we’ll learn more about these outdoor plants. Additionally, we’ll provide some practical advice for taking care of your plants during the summer period.
Caring for Flowering Plants
Before we delve into the flowering plants that are best suited for extreme heat, let’s consider some important aspects. Beyond the flowers we want to plant, it’s crucial to follow some key tips.
Irrigation
All flowering plants require proper irrigation. Especially during the hotter times of the year, this is vital for their healthy growth. It’s not just about watering abundantly – in fact, this can sometimes be counterproductive, leading to waterlogging and rot.
The water should be at room temperature, neither too hot nor too cold, and should be given during the cooler hours of the day, preferably early in the morning before the sun rises. The soil is cooler at this time and ready to receive water.
Another helpful tip is to avoid watering the plant’s foliage directly; instead, focus on the soil. Water on the foliage, followed by intense heat, can cause dangerous water stress that can result in damage.
Choosing the Right Location
Choosing the right location is of paramount importance for the healthy growth of any flowering plant. This doesn’t just refer to sunlight exposure but also the surrounding environment.
For example, if a plant is placed in open ground (the same applies to potted plants) surrounded by lush green grass, the plant will cope better with the scorching summer heat. This is because the temperature will be moderated by the presence of the grass, a natural element that absorbs heat. However, if the same plant is placed in an area with concrete all around, the heat from the sun will be intensified by this “unnatural” element. Concrete, in fact, reflects sunlight rather than absorbing it.
In general, it’s advisable to prefer green areas for our flowering garden plants. Choose spots where the sun doesn’t shine too intensely all day, perhaps utilizing the shade from a tree or a hedge. However, sometimes space constraints may exist, so it’s better to opt for plants inherently resistant to heat. Let’s explore them together.
List of 20 Heat-Resistant Flowering Plants
Through a photo gallery, accompanied by essential information about each species, let’s now explore the flowering plants that best withstand the scorching summer climate, whether they are cultivated in gardens directly in the ground or in balcony pots.
Here are beautiful planters that can add color to your space and enhance your plants’ beauty.
Agastache
Agastache
Agastache forms a genus of perennial flowering plants. They belong to the botanical family Lamiaceae, which also includes other plants like lavender, marjoram, thyme, lemon balm, peppermint, and also basil and rosemary.
This family of plants originates from North America.
The flowering of agastache is lovely, and depending on the chosen variety, it ranges in color from yellow and orange to pink and red.
These are ideal flowering plants for borders and flowerbeds.
They have a bushy growth habit and usually don’t exceed 40 cm in height.
Sea Aster
Asteriscus maritimus
Sea aster, scientifically known as Pallenis maritima, is an herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This family includes other plants like wormwood, sunflowers, and dandelion, as well as various toxic plants like lactuca virosa (also known as wild lettuce).
Sea aster’s flowers are typically yellow. It has a bushy growth habit with woody stems that are no longer than 20 cm.
This outdoor plant doesn’t adapt well to pot cultivation. Therefore, it’s best to grow it in open fields, even in poor soil conditions.
Wax Begonia
Begonia semperflorens
The wax begonia represents a genus of plants originating from tropical regions. They belong to the botanical family Begoniaceae and are among the most well-known indoor plants. This family encompasses around 1,600 different species. One particularly interesting species for garden or pot cultivation is the Begonia semperflorens. With a bushy growth habit and a height of no more than 30 cm, it comes in various flower colors: white, pink, red. This type of begonia is perennial and can be found in the wild. It is also cultivated due to its ornamental value, appreciated for both its flowers and leaves. Here are the seeds you can find for it.
Bidens ferulifolia
Bidens ferulifolia
Bidens is an herbaceous plant that, just like the sea aster, belongs to the botanical family Asteraceae. Its life cycle can be either annual (like the majority of Italian Bidens) or perennial.
The most interesting species of this family for domestic cultivation, to be used as a flowering plant, is Bidens ferulifolia.The inflorescence of this plant is button-like and has a characteristic yellow/gold color.The plant has a trailing or cascading growth habit and usually doesn’t exceed a length of 50 cm. It can be adapted as a balcony plant, as it performs well in pots.
Brachyscome multifida
Brachycome multifida surdaisy
Brachyscome multifida is a perennial herbaceous plant, also belonging to the botanical family Asteraceae. This flowering plant is a species native to Australia. It’s known worldwide by various common names, depending on the variety being cultivated. These names include cut-leaved daisy, rocky daisy, hawkesbury daisy, and surdaisy. The flower color varies from plant to plant, ranging from white to blue to pink. The growth habit of these flowering plants is bushy. Their height generally doesn’t exceed 30 cm. It’s a species particularly suitable for pot cultivation rather than planting directly in the ground.
Bracteantha bracteata
Bracteantha bracteata
Bracteantha bracteata, also known as everlasting daisy, is one of the flowering plants that can be cultivated both in pots on balconies or terraces and directly in the ground in gardens, perhaps within a flowerbed. Its current scientific name is Xerochrysum bracteatum. This flowering plant is native to Australia, just like Brachyscome multifida, Bidens, and the sea aster, and it also belongs to the Asteraceae family. The flowers produced by everlasting daisy are typically yellow in color, but in some varieties, they can be white or pink. The plant has a bushy growth habit and usually doesn’t exceed 30-40 cm in height. It adapts well to both pot and ground cultivation.
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa Millions Bells
Calibrachoa represents an appreciated genus of flowering plants. It belongs to the botanical family Solanaceae, just like many well-known and widespread horticultural plants. For instance, plants like tomato, potato, pepper, and eggplant, which we have discussed in-depth in previous articles, also belong to this family.
The common name for Calibrachoa is million bells. Its small bell-like flowers come in various colors depending on the variety, generally including white, pink, blue, cherry, and yellow. They strongly resemble petunia flowers.
The plant is an evergreen perennial with a bushy growth habit. It usually doesn’t exceed a height of 40-50 cm. It adapts well to both pot and flowerbed cultivation.
Cuphea hyssopifolia
Cuphea hyssopifolia
Cuphea hyssopifolia is a small evergreen shrub belonging to the botanical family Lythraceae. This family doesn’t only include flowering plants but also some trees, like the ornamental Lagerstroemia speciosa.
The origins of Cuphea hyssopifolia are Central American. Specifically, the plant comes from countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Its flowers have a sweet violet coloration, and the plant’s growth is slow, with a small bushy habit. Its maximum vigor is reached starting from the fifth year of cultivation.
As a flowering plant, it adapts well to both pot and ground cultivation. You can find the plant here if you wish to purchase it in a pot.
Dipladenia sanderi
Dipladenia sanderi
Dipladenia sanderi, also known as Mandevilla sanderi or Brazilian jasmine, is one of the flowering plant species belonging to the botanical family Apocynaceae. The mentioned species is typical of Brazil and is highly appreciated for its aesthetic qualities. It has oval and pointed leaves with a bright green upper surface and a dark green lower surface. Additionally, the leaves are leathery and shiny. The flowers are typically shades of pink and have a rather elongated shape (they can reach up to 7 cm). It’s a climbing type of plant with cascading growth, capable of reaching heights of up to 2 meters. It’s excellent for cultivation on balconies, perhaps to cover railings or walls. It’s slightly less suitable for ground cultivation. You can find the seeds here.
Felicia amelloides
Felicia amelloides
Felicia amelloides, also known by the common name blue daisy, is one of the many species of flowering plants belonging to the Asteraceae family. We’ve already seen that the Bracteantha bracteata, Brachyscome multifida, Bidens, and the sea aster also belong to this family.
Felicia amelloides is native to South Africa. The color of its flowers is a typical blue-lilac, and its growth habit is bushy. It has compact dimensions and adapts well to both pot and ground cultivation. If you’re interested, you can find the seeds here.
Gazania
Gazania
The Gazania also belongs to the Asteraceae family. This plant is a perennial herbaceous species native to Southern Africa. Within its genus, there are around forty species and numerous commercially available hybrids. It is highly appreciated due to the beauty of its flowers and its particular drought resistance, making it ideal for withstanding heat. Flower colors vary depending on the species, ranging from yellow to orange to red.
These plants are generally small in size, reaching heights of 20-30 cm. They have a bushy form and are excellent for cultivation in both balcony pots and garden beds. The mature plant and its seeds can be found here.
Lantana camara
Lantana camara
The Lantana camara is also a flowering plant originating from South America, similar to the Dipladenia sanderi. It is a species widely distributed worldwide and used as an ornamental plant everywhere.
Belonging to the botanical family Verbenaceae, it comprises several species. Flower colors range from white and yellow to pink, red, or orange, depending on the variety.
The mature plant takes the form of a large bush with a height that doesn’t exceed 50 cm. This makes Lantana camara an ideal plant for cultivation in open ground. Therefore, if you want to add color to a border, this is the plant for you.
However, be cautious as it can also become quite invasive.
Canary Island Daisy
Argyranthemum frutescens
Scientifically named Argyranthemum frutescens, these flowering plants also belong to the extensive Asteraceae family and are commonly referred to as Canary Island Daisies.
In this case as well, they are perennial plants. They can grow to a significant size, reaching up to a meter in height.
Their leaves are serrated and have a deep bottle green color.
The flowers, on the other hand, are either white or, in some cases, yellow. They bloom from the month of April to October.
In general, Canary Island Daisies thrive when cultivated in open ground. For balcony cultivation, they require larger pots.
Oxalis
Oxalis lucky
Oxalis, scientifically known as Oxalis, represents a diverse genus of flowering plants. They belong to the Oxalidaceae family and, in addition to producing hermaphroditic flowers, they also yield berry fruits.
There are around 570 species within this genus, but a particularly interesting variety for domestic cultivation is Oxalis Lucky, known for its yellow or orange flowers and bushy habit.
This is a small-sized plant that reaches a maximum height of thirty centimeters. Its leaves are generally herbaceous, compound, alternate, and petiolate.
This type is ideal for cultivation in balcony pots, but it also adapts well to flower beds in open ground. You can find the seeds here.
Geranium
Geranio pelargonium
The geranium, scientifically known as Pelargonium, is one of the most common flowering plants. It is found in many of our homes, adding vibrant colors to balconies, terraces, and interiors.
This plant is native to southern Africa and belongs to the botanical family Geraniaceae.
The color of geranium flowers varies depending on the variety, ranging from white and pink to red or purple.
The plant has a bushy or trailing habit and can reach a maximum length of 80 cm. Geraniums are quintessential balcony flowers in our country, and they also adapt well to cultivation in open ground.
Petunia
Petunia ricadente surfinia
Petunias belong to the Solanaceae family and represent a well-known and appreciated genus of flowering plants in our country. They originate from South America, with several species belonging to this genus. Some are annuals, while others are perennials.
A highly widespread species on the commercial level is the Trailing Petunia Surfinia, characterized by its trailing habit. It can reach a length of up to 120 cm, with flower colors varying from white, yellow, and pink to red, purple, violet, and blue.
Petunias are excellent garden flowers and are also ideal for balconies. Their trailing habit can cover unsightly concrete walls.
Phlox drummondii
Phlox drummondii
Phlox drummondii is a flowering plant belonging to the Pholx genus, from the botanical family Polemoniaceae.
This plant is native to the United States of America, specifically the state of Texas.
It has a trailing or cascading habit, but with very compact dimensions.
Its bushes produce many branched stems, but these are not large. Generally, they reach a length of at most 40-45 cm.
Its leaves, with a vibrant green color, are slightly fuzzy, lanceolate, and fairly thin.
The flowers, depending on the variety, can be white, pink, purple, blue, or red, and in some cases, they are even streaked.
If you want to sow it in your garden or on your balcony, you can find the seeds here.
Portulaca Umbraticola
Portulaca umbraticola
In a previous article, we introduced you to a widely spread wild plant in our territory, namely portulaca oleracea, a plant that also finds uses in the culinary field. Belonging to the same family, the Portulacaceae, there’s a species cultivated for ornamental purposes: the Portulaca Umbraticola.
This plant produces larger flowers compared to the classic portulaca, and the colors can range from white to yellow, pink, or red.
It has a trailing/creeping growth habit, but it doesn’t attain significant dimensions in terms of height or width.
It’s ideal for cultivation in sunny borders of flower beds.
Salvia Farinacea
Salvia farinacea
Salvia Farinacea, commonly known as mealycup sage or mealy sage in English, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. As the name suggests, it’s a close relative of the salvia officinalis that we all know for its culinary (and medicinal) uses.
Salvia Farinacea is native to the Central American region, specifically the area between Mexico and Texas.
Currently, the plant is found in all warm regions of the world and is used for ornamental purposes.
The flowers, arranged in showy spikes, are shades of lilac-blue. The plant has a bushy growth habit but doesn’t grow to large dimensions, staying within about 40 cm in height. It’s an ideal flowering plant for decorating flower beds and terraces.
Thunbergia Alata
Thunbergia alata
The last heat-resistant flowering plant we want to introduce is Thunbergia Alata.
This plant belongs to the Thunbergia genus, from the botanical family Acanthaceae.
It’s native to eastern and southern Africa but is currently naturalized and cultivated in the warmer regions of the Earth.
Its flowers can come in various colors. Typically, they are yellow, orange, or peach.
Thunbergia Alata has a climbing/creeping growth habit. For this reason, it’s ideal for cultivation on a terrace. It might have more difficulty adapting to flower beds without proper support.
