How heat hardy is your garden? Some plants can tolerate extreme summer heat better than others.

If you’re thinking of selling shortly, it’s a good idea to assess your plants for summer so your garden can look its best. Withered flower buds and drooping leaves won’t make a pretty picture!

These plants we’ve sourced all do well in Australia’s hotter climate and love our long sunshine hours. So what are you waiting for? Give your garden a summer makeover today with these hardy beauties.

Flowers

Kangaroo Paw - this Australian native suits garden beds and pots, and does well in temperate climates. It doesn’t grow too large so won’t dwarf other plants. It needs a sun-drenched spot in well-drained soil to flourish and sports flowers of deep red or yellow from late winter right through to summer.

Calibrachoa - a ‘Petunia on steroids’, this hardy vigorous plant is good for filling up pots and large tubs. It’s a profuse flowerer for nine months of the year and comes in an array of colours - cream and yellows, to pinks, mauves, purples and reds, as well as flamboyant multicoloured mixes.

Portulaca - a ground-covering plant with succulent leaves, they’re drought resistant and love dry, hot coastal conditions. Produces bright colourful flowers in summer, choose from yellow and tangerine, to pinks and crimson.

Sunflowers - iconic bright yellow flowers make this plant a must to brighten up your garden. They do best in well-drained, sunny spots and grow well into the summer months. Come in lots of sizes and striking varieties including: Evening Sun and Giant Russian. Best time to plant? Any time between August and January.

Herbs

Oregano - a versatile fragrant herb used in lots of cooking recipes, especially tomato based dishes. Easy to grow and it doesn’t need much watering. Grow some in small pots on a sunny kitchen windowsill.

Mint - a hardy herb that likes full sun and well drained soil, it doesn’t need much attention to thrive. Plant in pots by the back door or out by the BBQ, the aroma will keep away the mozzies.

Rosemary - a tough, resilient Mediterranean herb that thrives in hot, dry conditions and doesn’t need much water. Its stems and leaves can be used in a variety of cooking recipes and go especially well with lamb and cheese.

Veggies

Tomatoes - if there’s one plant that simply adores the sun, it’s tomatoes. This Mediterranean staple needs full sun, well-drained soil and frequent watering. Grow in a veggie garden or in pots for a splash of vibrant colour.  

Eggplants - a long hot summer is conducive to growing eggplants, they love the heat but need deep regular watering. A delicious versatile vegetable in numerous cooking recipes, it also comes in different varieties from classic deep purple to Thai small white to Brazilian red. A colourful asset to your veggie garden.

Not keen on gardening but still want to spruce up your plants for summer? Head to Bricks+Agent and list your job to receive quotes from local landscape specialists. Remember, it’s a good idea to get quotes from three or four companies to compare what they offer. Once you’re ready to connect you can simply enlist the services of the company you choose.

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