Brian Minter: Plants suitable for the upcoming hot summer

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Climate change is slowly but surely bringing major changes to our gardens. That means we need to be more proactive in our planning and planting.

Heatwaves, droughts and associated water restrictions are just a few examples of how we are learning to cope. In the year of El Niño, we experienced extreme cold, which made conditions difficult for the garden.

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Not only do you need more drought-tolerant summer plants, you also need to make sure they are pollinator-friendly plants. One plant family in particular stands out in both fields.

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Salvias, both annuals and perennials, have become a summer staple.

Many varieties of Blue Salvia Farinacea have been popular for many years, not only for their distinctive blue color, but also because they are tolerant of summer weather and attract many pollinators. The new Summer Jewels range has beautiful new flower shapes and comes in shades of lavender, pink, red and white. It is a of hummingbirds and also attracts stonefinches. The plant is very compact, grows to about 30 cm in height and width, and blooms from spring until frost.

Hummingbird There are many varieties of salvia named after hummingbirds, including coral nymph, forest fire, and snow nymph, all with unique flower shapes. Hummingbird Falls is a semi-trailing series with a more traditional flower shape in dark blue-black. Ideal for hanging baskets and also suitable for large containers.

Most perennial salvia varieties have a much longer flowering period, are heat loving and drought tolerant. The new Fashionista range is suitable for Zone 3, available in four pastel colors and cutting edge with its stunning shapes.

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Its long flowering period makes it ideal for the garden, but the softer Salvia greggi varieties are much better suited for containers. The most famous is Hot Lips, which is particular about red and white, but all the colors in this series are vibrant. I especially like red, hot pink, pink and white plants.

If you’re looking for an eye-catching focal point to match the new colors and flower shapes of these salvias, try tracking ptilotus Joey Apex. This is a reintroduction of the old Joey Petite Lotus, but it has hot pink feathery flower stalks, making it truly unique and blooming from summer to fall.

Zinnias are one of the traditional heat-loving plants, and the new presentation formats in the Profusion and Zahara series feature an abundance of bright blooms and are perfect for containers and flower beds.

Lantana also now comes in a range of new forms, many of which are nicely presented in both containers and hanging baskets. They thrive in the summer heat and attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

The new kid on the block that many are now starting to discover is the heat-loving Mandevilla. Their stunning flowers grow in the heat and come in the most vibrant reds, pinks and whites, as well as a new yellow that has only recently been introduced. It brings a tropical look and shape to your patio, is super easy to care for, and can be enjoyed all summer long.

As summers get hotter and drier, it’s great to have new weather-resistant plants that can meet this challenge and provide food nectar and pollen for birds and pollinators.

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