SUMMER SURVIVORS

Select the right plants and save water in dry heat

IF THE PAST FEW SUMMERS are anything to go by, there is a pattern of dry weather. This presents a challenge to keep plants and lawns healthy. Constant watering is not good for the environment and is time-consuming but, if you don’t keep it up, plants can be lost to the heat. The solution is to carefully consider what you plant where. For spots that get full sun all day, research drought-tolerant plants. Not only do they survive better in the heat, you can create a stunning Mediterranean look in borders, pots and baskets. Herbs are a fantastic option for a dry spot – they are attractive and droughttolerant and provide scent to add to the atmosphere. Purple sage is one of my favourites, but you could try lavenders, rosemary or oregano. Salvias, in the sage family, come in a wide variety – annual and perennial – and do well in the heat. There are several shrubs to choose from too. The buddleia is no longer viewed as just a menace that thrives on railway lines – there are dwarf varieties that are perfect for pots, and sterile so they don’t spread. Olive and fig trees do well in a sunny spot if you give them a large enough pot. Be creative and water wisely. Taking a bit of time to make informed choices will repay you with effortless beauty in an easier-to-care-for garden.