Summer is my least favorite time of the year. The heat can make landscape chores unpleasant. The summer months are often dry as well, meaning we have to find time to water those plants that need it. That is one of the major reasons I choose easy care plants that can take high temperatures and drought conditions.

For years, I’ve chosen care-free plants that can tolerate humidity, dry conditions, and the elevated temperatures that summer can bring. My use of mulch and other water-saving or xeriscaping techniques means my plants will easily survive the season

Because all herbaceous plants aren’t heat proof and well suited to hot summers, I choose my plant varieties very carefully. For landscaping, I use mostly perennials. The exceptions are some annuals in my container gardens.

Among my favorite heat proof perennials are some old favorites, such as daylilies, yarrow, purple coneflower, black-eyed Susans, and spurges.

In the U.S., those located south of zone 7 would benefit from choosing landscape plants that are heat tolerant. This would pretty much include the South and the Southwest. In that respect, you won’t go wrong if you choose plant selections from the Athens Select line. These will be available at garden centers and nurseries in the South and Southeastern states for sure.

All of the Athens Select landscape plants are heat and humidity tested at the University of Georgia test gardens in Athens, which explains the name. These are premium plants, and are suitable for landscapes, and container gardens. They include a broad array of foliage and flowering plants. Each year new varieties are added to the Athens Select line.

Those living in the South shouldn’t overlook regional seed companies, and mail order companies specializing in plant material for the area. If you read mail order catalogs from other companies, you will find heat tolerant plants as well. For example, the Creek Side Dahlia Farm in Georgia indicates which varieties are best for hot areas.