These hardy plant compositions can survive the summer sun.
These plants will help your garden coast smoothly through the dog dayscool, calm, and collected.
Many of the featured plants hail from tropical locales, meaning they can take the swampy humidity.
Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: CARMEN JOHNSTON
Others come from dry environments and require minimal watering, which is essential in high heat.
Most thrive in full sun, but we provided a few options for shade as well.
Keeping the soil moist to the touch is key to keeping your plants happy in the heat.
Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: CARMEN JOHNSTON
Appreciate Ever-Blooming Lantana
You’d never guess that a plant so pretty would be so hardy.
But lantana can stand up to the sunniest, hottest, driest conditions with ease.
Plus, its multicolored flowers bloom prolifically until the first frosta real draw for butterflies.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Plant in well-drained soil, and water regularly at first to get the roots established.
Then leave it be, except to water once a week during dry spells.
Many varieties are perennial in USDA Zones 8 through 11.
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Mint prefers moist soil and should be watered consistently.
Set some near your patio so you’re able to pick sprigs for summertime cocktails.
Water regularly and deadhead faded flowers for nonstop blooming all season long.
Credit: Melina Hammer
These plants are grown as annuals in most climates but are winter-hardy in USDA Zones 10 and 11.
Combine them with heat-lovingannualslike the white flowering vinca pictured here for seasonal color.
Boxwoods will grow in full sun but benefit from afternoon shade in hotter climates.
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Produced: Mark Thompson
Plant in well-drained soil, and water weekly during hot, dry weather.
Plant Fascinating Foliage
Flowers aren’t required to create a captivating summer container garden.
Both can grow in full sun or part shade, while bromeliads prefer dappled light or full shade.
Credit: Ralph Anderson
you’re free to bring these plants indoors in winter to ensure their survival.
Mandevilla is an ideal choice for color in even a “this-is-the-hottest-summer-ever” climate.
It prefers full sun and will thank you by blooming profusely until the weather cools in fall.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Plant in well-draining soil, and water when dry.
Give it a support to grow ona bit of wire can do the trick.
It’s perennial in USDA Zones 10 and 11.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Geraniums (Pelargoniumsp.)
can survive periodic dryness but will bloom best if watered when dry.
These plants flower generously in full sun, but set them somewhere with afternoon shade during extreme heat.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
It’s a cheery dose of bright hues for hot days and warm nights.
SunPatiens can grow in sun or shade, while pothos prefers full or part shade.
Water these plants regularly.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Creeping Jenny and a selection of peachy annual flowers add adornment to the base.
Waxleaf privet can grow in full or part sun and is perennial in USDA Zones 7 through 11.
Go Tropical
Include heat-loving plants that hail from far and wide to create a globe-trotting garden.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
All of these plants thrive in full sun; papyrus prefers moist soil.
Create Cottage Charm
This exuberant mix is reminiscent of wild meadows and cottage gardens.
This combination will do well in full or part sun.
Credit: Helen Norman
Pack In Bright-Blooming Zinnias
It wouldn’t be summer without the cheery blooms of zinnias.
Zinnias do best in full sun and if watered when dry.
Cut the long stems for a summery bouquetthe plants will branch andproduce more flowers.
Credit: Alison Miksch
Be sure to fertilize, advises garden expert Carmen Johnston.
In the sweltering heat, she feeds her plants about every four to six weeks to keep them happy.
These succulents will enjoy basking in the sun while you do.
Credit: Alison Miksch
With the exception of SunPatiens, all impatiens appreciate part shade.
Water regularly to keep the flower show going.
This slow-growing “palm” is actually a prehistoric cycad that is hardy in USDA Zones 9 and warmer.
Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: CARMEN JOHNSTON
Sago palm doesn’t like wet feet, so water when the container is mostly dry.
It can grow in full sun or part shade.
Note that this pot is lifted off the ground for good drainage.
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Even better, hens and chicks are winter hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 8.
Place in full sun or part shade, water regularly, and dream about your next beach vacation.
For a tall thriller plant, trycitrus-scented lemongrass.
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This will add a savory perfume to the garden and spruce up a weeknight dinner too.
Set on a sunny stoop and water when the soil dries.
The succulent foliage of the “century plant” can be variegated, green, blue, or silver.
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It’s sometimes hairy and often rimmed with spikes.
Plant in gritty soil in shallow, unglazed terra-cotta planters for good drainage.
Create Cactus Accents
Add an assortment of cacti into your arrangement for a drought-tolerant accent.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Bring them indoors for the winter, and place in a sunny window.
Try Rainforest Plants
This wall-hanging container garden brings a taste of the tropics to the porch.
The middle container features asparagus fern, ‘Triostar’ stromanthe, and ‘Neon’ pothos.
Credit: Van Chaplin
The latter two are tropical plants, while the first is winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 and warmer.
This trio can grow in part sun or bright shade.
Stay Cool With Blue And White
This summery combination is worthy of a wedding in June.
Credit: Melina Hammer
The containers were planted with Australian, heat-loving white fan flower (Scaveola).
Blue ageratum is heat-tolerant but can be susceptible to powdery mildew in high humidity.
Spacing plants for good circulation can help.
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Mark Thompson
Marigolds prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
Deadhead the plants to encourage abundant flowers.
Plant Dragon Wings
Red flower clusters dangle from Dragon Wing begonia in this summer-proof pot.
Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Embrace Summer With Hibiscus
Every patio needs a pot of hardy hibiscus in summer.
It thrives in heat and humidity but must be watered regularly to keep the soil moist.
Provide extra space for roots to grow, and keep the soil evenly moist.
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Ornamental shrubs like boxwood and holly will survive winter in a container.
Allow the top of the soil to dry slightly, and remove saucers after heavy rains.
Yellowing leaves and the persistence of wilting after you water can indicate your plant is getting too much water.
Credit: Alison Miksch
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Credit: Design by Mark Thompson; Photo: Robbie Caponetto; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Container Design by Mark Thompson; Photo: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
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