Discover the best late summer plants to thrive during hot UK weather, plus expert tips on caring for gardens after the heatwave…if it ever stops!
There’s no denying it – this summer has tested even the most experienced gardeners. With prolonged spells of very hot, dry weather across the UK, many gardens have been left looking tired. Lawns have turned golden, borders have faded, and even reliable favourites have struggled to cope.
But assuming that the weather will turn at some point in the not-too-distant future, the last chapter of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of colour. Usually it’s one of the most rewarding times to refresh your garden and by choosing plants that naturally flourish in warm conditions and giving existing plants a little extra care, you may still be enjoying vibrant displays well into autumn.
The best plants for late summer colour
If you’re looking to inject fresh life into your borders, containers or patio, these are some of our favourite late summer performers.
Rudbeckia (Coneflower) – with cheerful golden-yellow flowers that seem to glow in the evening sunshine, Rudbeckias are one of the stars of late summer. They’re tough, drought-tolerant once established and continue flowering for weeks, attracting bees and butterflies as they go.
Perfect for:
Sunny borders
Wildlife gardens
Cottage-style planting
Sedum (Hylotelephium)
Sedums – they really come into their own as summer begins to fade too. Their fleshy leaves cope brilliantly with dry conditions, while their large flower heads gradually change from pale pink to deep burgundy as autumn approaches. They’re also a favourite nectar source for pollinators.
Echinacea – another fantastic heat-loving perennial, Echinacea adds structure and colour with its distinctive daisy-like flowers. Available in shades of pink, white, orange and yellow, it’s both drought-resistant and long flowering.
Salvias – can continue flowering right through until the first frosts. Their colourful flower spikes add movement and height, while their aromatic foliage helps them cope well in dry conditions. Deadhead regularly and they’ll keep rewarding you with fresh blooms.
Verbena bonariensis – tall, airy and elegant, Verbena bonariensis is surprisingly resilient during hot weather. Its delicate purple flowers appear to float above borders, creating a relaxed, naturalistic look while providing valuable food for butterflies.
Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) – often called the butterfly plant, Gaura dances gracefully in even the slightest breeze. It flowers continuously through late summer and is remarkably tolerant of heat once established.
Dahlias – despite their luxurious appearance, many Dahlias cope surprisingly well with warm weather if they’re kept watered during prolonged dry spells. Regular deadheading encourages an almost endless display of blooms until autumn.
Refresh your containers
If your summer bedding is beginning to fade, don’t be afraid to replace tired plants. Late summer containers can look spectacular with combinations of:
Chrysanthemums
Cyclamen (towards early autumn)
Heucheras
Ornamental grasses
Salvias
Sedums
Adding fresh compost and a slow-release fertiliser can make an enormous difference, giving plants the nutrients they need to perform well into the season.
How to help existing plants recover after the heat
Even if your borders have looked a little worse for wear, many scorched plants are actually far more resilient than they appear. So, resist the temptation to overwater!
Instead of little and often, water deeply once or twice a week. This encourages roots to grow further into the soil, making plants more resilient in future dry spells. Water early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce evaporation.
Keep deadheading! Removing faded flowers encourages many plants, including Roses, Cosmos, Dahlias and Salvias, to keep producing new blooms instead of putting energy into making seed.
Brown leaves may not look attractive, but they’re still helping to protect stems and developing buds from further sun damage. Wait until cooler weather arrives before carrying out more substantial pruning.
Feed flowering plants
After weeks of flowering, many plants have exhausted the nutrients in the soil. A liquid tomato feed or balanced flowering fertiliser can give them a welcome boost for the weeks ahead.
Mulch if you haven’t already
A generous layer of organic mulch helps lock moisture into the soil, suppress weeds and improve soil structure over time. It’s one of the simplest jobs that can make the biggest difference during hot summers.
Don’t panic about your lawn!
If your grass has turned brown, don’t assume it’s dead. Most lawns simply go dormant during prolonged heat and recover surprisingly quickly once regular rainfall returns. Avoid excessive watering unless it’s newly laid turf.
Start thinking about autumn
Late summer is also the perfect time to plan ahead if it feels like your garden has succombed to the heat rays. As summer bedding begins to fade, it’s worth thinking about adding plants that will carry your garden into autumn, alongside spring-flowering bulbs that will reward you next year.
The Hildreth’s Garden Centre team can help you choose combinations that provide colour across the seasons, ensuring there’s always something to enjoy in your garden.
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