From hot and sunny days to drought conditions, these 10 annual flowers can tolerate the heat - and just about anything else summer throws their way - while bringing an array of color to your yard and garden!
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We are smack in the middle of summer and the heat's been no joke this year in Jersey. Not only has it affected me, but it's taken out some of my plants, too. During the heatwaves (which feels like every week), I've basically been watering the garden twice a day. But even that hasn't helped some of our plants.
If you take a look around our yard and garden, there is a rainbow of flowers and other plants. I started our flower garden in the spring - just about at the first sign of pansies and petunias. My pansies took a hit in early July. Thankfully, my petunias seem to be doing alright. It's all about which flowers can tolerate the heat and which ones prefer those cooler temps.
Even though it seems like fall is just around the bend now, there's still plenty of that summer heat left. I've been trying to do what I can in the mornings and evenings to take care of my plants (watering, deadheading, and the like). But, unfortunately, I had to put some of my flowers out of their misery.
In their place, I made sure to plant flowers that can stand the heat. So far, so good! My pretty little flowers are tolerating the hot sun. Some are downright thriving! And the best part is that a lot of the flowers I chose will last through a good portion of the fall, too!
Annual Flowers that Can Tolerate Heat
If the summer's left you with dying flowers and empty pots, there's still time to do a little planting in your yard! My advice is to pick a cooler day (or week) to plant, give your flowers plenty of water, and choose annuals that will do well under the summer sun. If you need a little inspiration, here's a list of heat tolerant flowers that I grow in my yard and garden.
Begonias
I've only come to appreciate begonias over the past few years for their beauty and heat tolerance. These easy-to-grow flowers like bright, indirect light and grow in gorgeous clusters.
Sunflowers
It's our second year growing sunflowers and they bring me such joy! Part of my morning garden routine is going outside to check on them/admire them.
Not only are these tall and sunny flowers a beautiful addition to a garden, they also provide a source of food for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Zinnias
If you love cut flowers, zinnias are a must! They're easy to grow from seed, another pollinator-friendly plant, and can also tolerate drought conditions. Keep on top of deadheading these flowers to encourage more blooms over a longer period of time.
Geraniums
Geraniums are another new favorite of mine. They're available in a variety of gorgeous colors and super easy to grow! Just keep them happy with water, sunlight, and pruning and they'll thrive all season long!
Verbena
This is my second year growing verbena. This year, I actually grew it from seed and it sprouted in two colors - purple and red. These tall flowers grow in tiny clusters. They're another pollinator favorite, look beautiful in bouquets, and are even edible!
Petunias
It should be noted that some, but not all petunias are heat tolerant. However, I keep on top of my plants with deadheading and a good pruning every now and then and they are surviving the summer.
Petunias are one of my favorite flowers to grow. They have a really long season (I planted mine in the spring), come in so many colors and patterns. While they attract some beneficial bugs, they can also repel some unwanted ones.
Marigolds
If you have a garden, marigolds are a must! Not only are they amazing companion plants in the veggie garden, they're also a known pest repellent. They're available many varieties and their bloom time lasts well into fall!
Calibrachoa
If you're looking to replace flowers in a hanging basket or need to add a "spiller" to a potted arrangement, look no further than calibrachoa! These "million bells" look like mini petunias, thrive in heat, and look beautiful trailing out of baskets and large planters. They're available in a rainbow of colors. Just deadhead the tiny flowers to keep them happy.
Popcorn Cassia
This is my first year growing a popcorn plant from seeds I collected the previous year. But other years, I looked forward to getting one of these plants at a local greenhouse. Not only do these plants love the heat and burst with yellow flowers that kind of look like popcorn, they smell like popcorn, too!
They can grow pretty large and produce seed pods that can be collected and dried. Start the seeds early (like end of winter), and you'll have new plants to grow and share in late spring/summer!
Not only are these a unique plant to add to your yard, but I've also seen butterflies and bees enjoying the flowers.
Dragon's Breath Celosia
This last plant I'm sharing is one that I purchased on a whim when I saw it on the clearance rack at Lowe's. It's a plant I've grown before because of its fiery red color and unique foliage.
Dragon's Breath Celosia not only looks super cool, it does well in hot weather. The fluffy, feathery blooms last until the first frost, making them a fun addition to a fall garden, too!
As far as I'm concerned, growing season lasts up until the first frost here in New Jersey. Check your zones for the best plants to grow and plant care info. And this time of year, if you have plants that need to be replaced, make sure to check those clearance sections in garden centers for discounted plants.
