Hey everyone! I'm in Colchester where summers can get really hot and dry, while the winters can drop to around -5°C with long frosts. I've been struggling to keep my front garden alive with these extreme conditions. This year I planted some new beds facing south, but sadly, only about 50% of them have survived, which is tough on my budget!
I'm on the lookout for plant suggestions that are hardy enough for winter and can handle a lot of sun and heat during the summer. Right now, my dwarf Verbena is thriving and the lilies are doing great too, but I'm open to all sorts of options like decorative grasses or even small evergreen trees. I love researching plants, but I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts and recommendations!
3 Answers
Have you tried Lamb's Ears? They do great in dry conditions, and sedums and Achillea have been winners in my garden too. Teucrium hircanicum has thrived for me without any watering! I think Nepeta and Oregano would do fine here as well. Feverfew is super resilient, and don’t forget about Echinops, Skimmia, and strawberry trees for some variety! Once your perennials settle in, they usually do well.
I totally agree with the salvia and sedum suggestions! For a short grass, consider Fescue, and for something taller, Miscanthus is fantastic. Just a heads up, planting in July might not be the best since it's so hot. I’d recommend grabbing some discounted hardy perennials in early autumn so they can get established over winter.
Hey! I’ve had great luck with Verbena, salvias, and sedums in similar conditions. They thrive in the heat and do pretty well in the winter. Since you’re close by, those should work for you too!
Perfect, thanks!
Yeah, I realized it’s going to be a while till I can plant anything – darn! I’m really loving the look of Miscanthus varieties. Also great advice on picking up those perennials after they've bloomed!