Nothing looks better and invigorating than a beautiful garden with hardy flowers that can survive the hot Australian weather. So if your garden is looking worse for wear after just a few weeks of hot weather, you might want to consider removing some of the perennials. Since Australian weather is getting hotter and drier every year, it’s important to stock up on heat-tolerant plants.
Depending on your local weather, you may have to redo your entire garden. Here are some of the best plants that not only survive but thrive in the harsh Australian summer.
Agapanthus
An extremely popular genus, agapanthus is easy to grow and tolerant of poor soil and drought. It does require regular feeding and moisture. Agapanthus boasts large water-storing roots that allow it to withstand long dry spells as long as they are placed in a warm spot that receives full sunlight. Also, they thrive best in garden beds due to their upright shape and stems.
Acacia
These plants grow beautifully in the harsh Australian summer thanks to their tough structure that is highly resistant to dry conditions. Acacia grows best in well-drained, gravelly soil. They can be planted from seed but most gardeners find it more convenient to plant them from nursery transplants. There are many species of acacia plants to choose from, but they all do well in draining soil as long as there is plenty of sunlight and room to grow. These plants have a short life span.
Thyme
There are well over 200 species of thyme and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These sun-loving perennials are incredibly easy to grow and can handle the heat and aren’t very fussy about the quality of the soil. Thymes are striking to look at and exhibit showy flowers in cheerful shades of purple. They prefer to grow under the full sun and love the heat.
Cosmos
Cosmos are a great choice if you want to add a splash of bold, white to your drought-resistant garden. Word of caution though, these sun-loving plants can’t withstand colder temperatures and will die if a frost hits your garden. For the most part, these low maintenance flowers grow just fine in garden beds and can resist diseases, pests, and don’t require fertiliser for growth.
Bromeliads
Bromeliads, with their large red flower heads, can be slightly hard to establish because they only bloom once but once they settle in, they make a great addition to your garden. They come in various shapes and sizes depending on the species and can handle extremely hot conditions.
Armeria
Armeria is a stunningly beautiful plant with its bright pink flowers taking the spotlight. They thrive in a wide range of environments and grow especially well in cottage gardens. They are averse to moisture so try not to keep the soil too moist otherwise the plant will die. It can be challenging for most hobbyists to water Armeria plants because of how easy it is to overwater them. They are not heavy feeders so you don’t need much fertiliser.
Armeria grows best in the hot summer sun with light, dry soil, and full sunlight.
Correa
The flamboyant Correa is a tough native shrub that is a real favourite in drought-resistant gardens of East Australia. Their nectar rich flowers are known to attract birds – a great sight to behold in any garden. They make a lovely addition to cottage gardens and are relatively easy to grow. But what makes these plants so useful in most gardens is their tolerance of shade. They grow well in shaded gardens but thrive better under the heavy sun.
Correas go well in pots and make a useful addition to larger borders.
Now that you’re aware of the best plants to grow in the Australian weather, you might be looking for professional builders for your landscaping projects. Use tools like buildi.com.au/ to find the best builders for your dream home, making sure it’s perfect for you!
