With weather warming up in most of the country, and temperature extremes becoming more common, home gardeners are on the lookout for plants that can tolerate full sun and beat the heat and temperature extremes.
Plant breeders and developers have responded to the demand with new varieties. Hoping to meet an increased demand for heat-resistant, sun-tolerant perennials with strong blooming power, plant breeders have been trialing plants in a wide range of climates and growing conditions and these are now available at retail garden centers.
The focus on heat resilience has increased over the last decade and continues to grow, said Katie Miller, perennial product manager for for Dümmen Orange. She said gardeners enjoy the long-term color and texture of perennials in the garden because they last year-round.
“About 20 years ago, the design trends around xeriscaping and firewise landscape planning in the western United States created a focus on plants that are uniquely suited just to withstand heat as well as being drought tolerant, which really translates to survival for periods of time with little to no supplemental water,” Miller said.
Over time, breeders have been making improvements in plants that were already heat tolerant to begin with, said Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer at Monrovia Nursery Company in Dayton, Oregon.
“We’re seeing Agastache, Delosperma, Gaillardia, Verbena, for example with significant improvements in bloom power, color, and overall heat tolerance,” Tamony said.
Stand-out varieties
Tamony said she’s excited to see the development of more perennials with improved heat resistance, blooming power and sun-tolerant color.
One that stands out is Monrovia’s Fiesta™ Lantana (Lantana camara) series.
“This is a sterile lantana that throws all its energy into bloom instead of seed, so you get a lantana that’s just covered with bright happy blooms on a plant that stays nice and compact,” Tamony said.
She’s also a fan of the new Heliopsis ‘Bacio Del Sole’, which is a variety of a plant native to North America that is bred for heat tolerance and increased flowering. Monrovia’s Hosta Sunhosta™ (Hosta ‘HOST SUN 08’) is also bred to perform well in heat and sun.
Home gardeners want plants that establish themselves quickly, are easy to maintain and are visually stunning, said Tom Foley, Jr., director of product development at Everde Growers.
He said the Agapanthus Ever® series are game-changers for their long-lasting blooms and ability to thrive in heat and sun.
Dianella ‘Clarity Blue’ PP27348 is a grass-like perennial that Foley said is ideal in low-water landscapes.
Foley also highlighted several Euphorbia varieties that do well in full sun and low-water conditions, including Euphorbia Sahara™ ‘Glacier Blue’ (E. x martinii ‘Glacier Blue’ PP19027), Miner’s Merlot (E. ‘KM-MM024’ PP32321), and Tiny Treasure (E. x martinii ‘Waleuitr’ PPAF).
Others that stood out to Foley are the Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ PP20013 with its dark foliage and long-lasting lavender blooms, and Salvia ‘Allen Chickering,’ an evergreen sub-shrub with purple flowers and no need for summer irrigation.
Matt Pielin, regional product manager at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan, said his company has some varieties that are perfectly suited to tolerate both sun and heat.
Pielin recommended the Proven Winners’ Agastache hybrid Meant to Bee® (Anise Hyssop) collection.
“Agastache are well-adapted to thrive in dry soils and is right at home in rock gardens and xeric container plantings where it will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and honeybees,” Pielin said.
He said Alliums are also easy-to-grow pollinator friendly plants that do well in full sun conditions.
Blooming power
Pielin said the Hibiscus Summerific Collection produces massive, tropical-looking flowers. While these plants need plenty of water, they love the sun and heat.
A more drought-tolerant perennial is Hyssopus ‘Nectar Ninja’, known for its fragrance and soft lavender-blue blooms.
“With a naturally rounded, compact habit, this drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun and average to poor soils, making it a versatile and resilient choice for modern landscapes,” Pielin said.
The Kniphofia PYROMANIA Collection does well in sunny, hot and dry conditions.
“The spiky flowers and upright habit gives a very unique drama to your landscape, with rebloom extending the color late into the season,” Pielin said. “Kniphofia is evergreen in mild regions and herbaceous in cooler zones.”
Pielin said Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘Candy Floss’ blooms early, about a month before other selections.
“Its deep rose-pink plumes float above fine-textured foliage, creating a soft, airy effect that adds movement and color to the fall landscape,” Pielin said.
Pielin also recommends Rudbeckia ‘Treasure Trove’ with its many golden star-shaped flowers that bloom for an extended time.
He added that Yucca ‘Dragon Slayer’ thrives where other perennials struggle.
“A perfectly rounded rosette of rigid, powdery blue, sword-like foliage delivers strong structure with little to no maintenance,” Pielin said. “Exceptionally drought tolerant and highly resistant to deer and rabbits, this full-sun perennial is a powerhouse for hot, dry landscapes.”
Emily Hoard is an Oregon-based freelance journalist covering business, environmental and agricultural news. She has a background in community reporting and a master’s degree in multimedia journalism. You can reach her at Hoarde123@Gmail.com