In order for our plants to thrive, they need enough sun and water - even the children know that. You've probably noticed in recent years: summers are getting hotter and heat waves with temperatures over 30 degrees and higher are unfortunately no longer uncommon. And just as too much sun is harmful to us, our plants can also get sunburned and wilt in the heat. The drought and heat phases logically also affect our gardening and it is therefore important that we protect our garden from heat. Hot weather doesn't necessarily mean rotten plants. Fortunately, there are many heat-resistant plants that can withstand higher temperatures and drought quite well. Are you getting tired of the constant watering and want to literally make your garden shine? Then you've come to the right place, because below we present the most beautiful plants that feel really comfortable in midsummer.
Heat-resistant plants: How do plants protect themselves from the heat?
With higher temperatures and longer-lasting heat waves, home gardeners should hone their hot weather gardening skills. How you do yoursProtect the garden from heat, we have already explained to you. But have you ever wondered whether and how plants protect themselves from the heat? We protect it from the sun by sweating and releasing fluids through our skin. We then compensate for this fluid by drinking. Well, plants do it in a similar way to us - when it gets really hot, they take water from the soil, then transport it into the leaves and then release it through smaller openings on the underside of the leaves.
However, due to the lower water saturation, the plants constantly release water into the air and have to stop photosynthesis. Or to put it more simply – during a heat wave, they live on the back burner. In other plant species, such as the sand strawflower, the light hairy felt reflects solar radiation and ensures that the plant does not dry out. Thick leaves with a waxy layer also reduce water loss and protect against heat.
Just because summers are getting drier and hotter doesn't mean we have to put up with a lazy garden. Fortunately, there are some heat-resistant plants that can withstand high temperatures very well and thrive even in the heat! After all, we don't all have the time to water our plants several times a day, right?
Catnip
Catnip is a real sun lover and is undoubtedly one of the most popular heat-resistant plants. It thrives best in sunny, dry locations with well-drained soil and high temperatures are absolutely no problem for it. The flower colors range from white and violet to green and light blue. While varieties with green leaves require more moisture, gray-leaved varieties are extremely heat-resistant and do not require regular watering. Not only cats, but also people can't resist the wonderfully intense scent of catnip. Numerous insects, such as bees and wasps, are also attracted to catnip. The fragrant permanent bloomer is also very easy to care for and therefore perfect for beginners. Another advantagethe catnipis that it is not only suitable for the garden, but also as a pot or balcony plant.
White mulberry
Since the white mulberry is mainly found in the forests of Asia and Africa, it is logically an excellent heat-resistant plant for the garden. The tree tolerates heat and drought very well and copes well with a wide range of climatic conditions. The white mulberry thrives best in a location with full sun and is also insensitive to wind. The plant grows either as a small tree or a large shrub and reaches a height of around 10 meters in this country. The fruits of white mulberries also taste very sweet and can be eaten straight from the tree.
Heat-resistant plants: lavender
With its wonderful scent, lavender exudes a wonderful Mediterranean feeling and makes us dream of vacation in Provence. So it's a good thing that it is also a real dry lover and therefore one of the most popular heat-resistant plants. We're not the only ones who find the scent of lavender irresistible - butterflies, bees, etc. are also attracted by it. Mosquitoes and wasps, on the other hand, don't like the smell of lavender at all. Lavender likes nutrient-poor soil with good drainage, so you can easily plant it directly in full sun.
Snapdragons as summer plants
Pink, orange, purple, yellow, white or a mixture of all colors - snapdragons literally make our garden shine and enchant us with their variety of colors. The beautiful plants grow in their home location between walls, stones and crevices and therefore love it sunny and sandy. For magnificent flowers and intense colors, it is best to plant the snapdragons in the sunniest place possible in the garden. The flowers, which open daily, are also a very valuable source of food for bumblebees and bees. Snapdragons are particularly easy to care for and are therefore ideal for heat-resistant plants for the garden or balcony.
Geraniums love the sun
The geranium is undoubtedly THE classic among balcony plants and the selection of variations and varieties is now endless. Since most geranium varieties originally come from South Africa, a warm and sunny location is essential for abundant flowering and healthy growth. However, the geranium not only looks great as a hanging plant on the balcony, but also looks great in a pot for the garden.
Thistles for the garden
Although thistles are more commonly seen and treated as weeds, there are many beautiful varieties that add an exotic touch to our gardens. In fact, the thistle was named “Perennial of the Year” by the Association of German Perennial Gardeners in 2019. The globe thistle in particular presents itself very picturesquely with its light blue flowers and is a real eye-catcher. One of the biggest advantages of prickly plants is that they cope very well with heat and drought and have no special demands on the soil. Even in hot weather, thistles produce plenty of pollen and nectar and the flowers are an excellent source of food for a variety of birds and insects.
