8 resilient garden plants for all weather types
From heatwaves to hailstones and everything in between, the UK’s weather is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
It therefore makes sense – both functionally and financially – to opt for plants that will stay resilient all year round, whatever the elements throw at us.
We asked some gardening experts to share their top tips for the most weather-proof plants. Below are some of the hardiest plants, come rain or shine, to consider for your outdoor space...
Japanese anemone
When it comes to survival instinct, Annelise Brilli, horticultural expert at plant and seed firm Thompson and Morgan loves Anemone x hybrida (Japanese anemone).
“They have a reputation for being invasive,” she tells Country Living. “But they are invaluable border perennials with a woody, running rootstock, flowering for weeks and weeks from July to October in sun or shade.”
Japanese anemones grown in moist, fertile soils will be the tallest and most vigorous, but they are still good performers in drier positions, Annelise adds: “New plants take a season to establish but will romp away in their second year. Just keep an eye on the clumps and cut them back if they are threatening to muscle in on their neighbours.”
Her top recommendation is Anemone hupehensis var. japonica 'Prinz Heinrich', “a lovely double form that comes in a good, deep pink”.
Aster (Michaelmas Daisy)
“I have had a stalwart clump of Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ going strong for over 15 years,” Annelise tells us. “Despite shameless neglect, freezing soggy winters and scorching summers it has rewarded with a continuous succession of lavender daisies from late July to October.”
Annelise says she prefers the lax habit of Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ to the mor formal “soldier-stiff” Aster novae-angliae cultivars. This kind of aster is also pretty mildew-proof, its only weakness is that its emerging roots are like catnip to slugs.
Eupatorium
Sometimes called Boneset, this tall willowy prairie-style plant is a perennial wildflower that’s also happy by water, in shaded woodland and long meadowy grass.
It’s an excellent plant for the wildlife-friendly garden as its flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and other beneficial insects.
“Whilst most Eupatoriums are towering plants that can be difficult to accommodate in smaller gardens, the compact form of Eupatorium dubium ‘Baby Joe’ is unlikely to exceed three foot,” says Annelise. “Upright, dark purple stems with slender leaves give rise to dome-shaped heads of fuzzy purple flowers. Although it flowers best in moister soils, it is tough enough to survive periods of drought.”
Ferns
Ferns are ancient plants that have evolved remarkable adaptations to thrive in a wide range of challenging environments, making them resilient to whatever the UK weather decides to showcase.
Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, tells Country Living he loves ferns because of their ability to flourish in shade, coupled with efficient water management through their specialised fronds and roots. This makes them ideal for gardens with limited sunlight or moisture.
“Many fern species are remarkably hardy, tolerating cold temperatures and varying soil conditions,” Julian says. “Additionally, their natural resistance to pests and diseases reduces the need for chemical control, making them low-maintenance additions to any garden.”
Geraniums and pelargoniums
Both geraniums and pelargoniums are renowned for their resilience and adaptability, making them a fantastic choice for UK gardens, says Julian.
These hardy plants thrive in a wide range of conditions, from scorching sun to partial shade. Their drought-tolerance is particularly beneficial during our unpredictable summers.
Although pelargoniums are generally not frost-resistant – pot them up and place in a sheltered indoor spot to over-winter – they can handle wetter summer periods too without succumbing to rot.
Geraniums are vigorous plants that bulk up quickly, are reliably hardy and withstand most conditions. This vast and versatile genus contains varieties for shade or sun and heights ranging from low ground cover to the back of the border.
Annelise highly recommends the hardy Geranium pratense ‘Mrs Kendall Clark’. “A form of our native meadow cranesbill, this is a tall, strong-growing variety, forming mounds of attractive, lobed foliage with the flowers held on taller stems above it,” she explains. “These flowers are exquisite, and have a lovely pearly-lavender sheen etched with delicate veins.”
And they are ideal for lazy gardeners, Annelise adds: “If you don’t dead-head all the flowers, this plant will readily self-seed and pop up in unexpected places to fill random gaps.”
Grasses and sedges
Super-hardy ornamental grasses and sedges have survived for thousands of years, and with good reason; they can tolerate extremes of weather and temperatures, and will keep going even if there is a drought.
“Carex Everest, a variegated sedge, is a wonderful bullet proof and slug-resistant evergreen,” Lee Burkhill, owner of Garden Ninja Garden Design, tells Country Living. “Practically maintenance-free once established, it’s great for pots or shaded urban gardens. Also, it helps soften edges of flower beds and will occasionally flower when in a happy spot!”
For a grass that loves full sun and will happily survive a wet winter too, Lee suggests Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning light’ – a tall airy grass.
“This plant will bring privacy to your garden by including height and movement,” he says. “The flower plumes look gorgeous in summer and they can be left through the winter before being cut back in February, so super low-maintenance too.”
Lavender
Lavender is a low-maintenance marvel known for its drought tolerance, ability to thrive in poor soil conditions, and impressive resilience to all UK weather conditions, explains Julian.
He adds: “It's also relatively pest and disease-resistant, just don’t let its feet get too wet.”
There are more than 400 varieties of lavender, but the English classic is highly-scented Hidcote, Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote', is a firm favourite and often used for hedging.
Another bonus of lavender is its versatility; it can be grown in borders, containers, or as ground cover. “Fragrant blooms are the star of the show in summer,” Julian adds. “But lavender retains its silvery foliage throughout the year, providing visual interest even in winter.”
Sedum
Sedums are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants that can thrive in rocky or sandy soils and are remarkably resilient to all UK weather conditions.
“Many sedum varieties offer colourful foliage and blooms throughout the growing season,” says Julian. “Some retain their foliage in winter.”
These all-purpose plants have a multitude of uses; as ground cover, rock garden plants, or in containers. They are also excellent for attracting pollinators.
Lee recommends multi-tasking Sedum spurium: this drought and heat-proof ground cover plant with vivid red/pink flowers will work in rockeries and pots too, and is excellent for exposed gardens that are baked in hot sun.
“They can also survive sudden drops in temperature and survive our cold, frosty winters,” he says. “As long as it doesn’t get water-logged, this Sedum is a low-maintenance dream.”
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