heat-loving flowers - flower bush

Keep your mid-summer garden lush! 8 heat-loving flowers to plant now

These heat-loving flowers are perfect for the Utah sun.

It’s no secret… it is hot! But don’t let the heat ruin all the hard work you’ve put in to the yard.

Gardening Expert Brian Lloyd, with Olson’s Greenhouse, shared a list of what he calls “heat thrivers.” Basically, flowers that can survive the hot summer months ahead.

 

Thirsty Heat Lovers

  • Angelonia – Summer Snapdragon – This annual loves full sun, but prefers wet soil.
  • Pentas – Sometimes called Egyptian Star, this annual plant love heat and full sun, but needs regular watering. It also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
  • Coleus – An annual with excellent shade varieties that brighten any north-facing porch. They are very easy to grow and keep tidy.
  • Phlox paniculata – Garden Phlox –This perennial loves heat, but not humidity. It also attracts pollinators.

Drought Tolerant Heat Lovers

  • Catharanthus rosea – Annual Vinca or Madagascar Periwinkle – This is a bright green, tropical-looking foliage. It loves sun, heat, and is very water-wise.
  • Lantana – Sometimes called Spanish Flag, this annual is a carefree and wonderful butterfly attractor.
  • Ptilotus exaltatus – Mulla Mulla – This is another annual that thrives in hot, dry climates. It adds a great texture to the garden, or thriller to summer containers. It is also great as a cut flower.
  • Veronica – Spiked Speedwell – This perennial is water-wise once established, and yields pretty cut flowers.

Normally closed to the public, Nola Rae’s Garden, the Olson’s Greenhouse Trial & Research Area, opens once a year as part of the Utah Hidden Garden Tour, June 28th- 30th, 2024. Get your tickets for the Hidden Garden tour at hiddengarden.org.

Olson’s Greenhouse is the local supplier of bedding plants, vegetable starts, and container gardens to big box retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, and Costco. For flower gardening inspiration, be sure to follow them on Instagram @olsons_greenhouse_gardens, or visit www.ogg.com.

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