For some years now, gardening pundits have been telling us we may need to move towards Mediterranean climate plants in our UK gardens. But this summer has imbued that idea with a powerful sense of urgency.

How many of us haven’t lost plants during this summer’s heatwaves? The true cost will only be known next year, when we will see what comes back, and what doesn’t. The heat wasn’t quite so intense up here in Shropshire. But even here, there were days when it seemed as if we were in Australia, or Arizona. The experts like to tell us what plants are most likely to survive those conditions. But you can’t beat first hand experience on the ground.

Plants in pots will always need to be watered regularly, along with those that haven’t been in long enough to have put down a good root system. But this year, I’ve also had to water some established perennials and shrubs, else they might not have made it through. There were some surprises.

Moisture-loving perennials such as Ligularia and Rodgersia were never going to like the heat. Mine are in a bog garden, but the water level of the pond that feeds it fell so low the boggy area dried out.

Border phlox, unsurprisingly, also suffered, but despite looking very sad, they made it through without being watered. I was surprised that Echinacea and Rudbeckia, which are prairie plants, needed regular watering. The RHS claim Rudbeckia came through well for them (apparently it has deep roots). They also said Eupatorium (which has, I believe, been re-classified as Eutrochium) did well, though it flowered earlier. My Eupatorium only reached 60cm, flowered late, and needed regular watering. Perhaps the difference is in the soil (mine is thin, sandy, dusty soil which drains quickly). The established Helenium got through (I may have watered it once).

I may have despaired at the sad state of so many of the plants, but there were successes. Echinops, despite being big, leafy plants, were barely affected (and we had seedlings coming up all over the garden too). Verbascum and Achillea proved to be resilient, as did Verbena bonariensis. Gaura (which is now officially known as Oenothera), continued its campaign to take over the garden. Sedum (now Hylotelephium), being succulents, were able to store enough water in their leaves to get through.

Salvias, which are Mediterranean plants, were mixed. The perennial blue Salvia guaranitica ‘Blue Ensign’ would have died if I hadn’t watered it regularly, and failed to flower. But shrubby Salvia ‘Royal Bumble’ was undaunted, and has produced masses of flower from June onwards. It’s also self-seeded all around the plant (which is nice).

Iris sibirica, which is supposed to like damp soil, came through as if this year was no different to any other. It flowers early – before the heat struck – but afterwards, the leaves continued unabated. In fact, it clumped up so well I’ve recently had to divide the plants.

And last, but not least, Symphyotrichum reliably produced their tall mounds of foliage in the background, and have now erupted into bloom. They are one of my favourite perennials. Aster Munch came through too, but only just.

When it comes to shrubs, Viburnum plicatum ‘Mariesii’ flowered beautifully early on, but by mid-summer was all but dead. Cornus kousa, and the purple hazels (Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’) were hardly any better. Deciduous Berberis hardly put up a fight before their leaves shrivelled and fell (the sawflies that regularly strip them must have been very disappointed).

This Cotinus has been in for a few years now, and hasn’t grown much (perhaps it doesn’t like the soil) but it wasn’t affected by the lack of moisture, or the heat…

Hydrangeas are renowned for needing a lot of moisture, so it was surprising that Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ got through unscathed, and without additional water. Although it does have some shade – only getting the sun from mid-afternoon.

Predictably, Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ was at home in the conditions, flowering and growing on well. Roses don’t generally like it hot and dry. Mine muddled through quite well, though they did have a long break in flowering (all except ‘Munstead Wood’, which kept on producing blooms, albeit rather slowly).

To mis-quote the late Jimmy Grieves; it’s been a funny old year Saint. Too cold for too long in spring and early summer. Then too hot during summer. And too dry throughout. The plants haven’t known whether they’ve been coming or going. Those whose gardens are predominantly Mediterranean gravel gardens will be feeling pretty smug right now. But for those of us who like a more lush look, it’s been rather stressful. Who knows what next year will bring…

text & images © graham wright 2022