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With more than half of England officially in a drought following 35C temperatures, green-fingered Britons may be fearing for the future of their beloved garden.
Some parts of the country have not seen rain for 43 days, with Amber heat-health alerts issued for certain regions as the mercury rises once again this summer.
Hit particularly hard by the unprecedented heat are hydrangeas – a British garden staple which bloom into either pink, purple or blue, depending on the soil type.
While the beautiful shrubs have typically thrived within the UK’s rather wet and mild climate, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have warned that they have become the most frequently reported plant for hot weather problems.
Meanwhile, the combination of soaring temperatures and hosepipe bans have left many gardeners in fear of disaster for their beloved plants, flowers and lawns.
So, how can you ensure your garden continues to thrive as Britain boils in its fourth heatwave of the year?
According to Jo McGarry, a leading expert in luxury garden design from Caragh Nurseries, the key is to prioritise plant health, conserve moisture and put every drop of water to good use.
She told the Daily Mail: ‘Hydrangeas can wilt quickly in hot weather because their large leaves and blooms lose moisture fast, particularly when they are growing in pots, exposed positions or soil that dries out quickly.’
Clair Albone, Senior Category Manager for Gardens at Wickes, said: ‘With the UK summers continuing to reach record breaking temperatures, it’s becoming more important for homeowners to be prepared for increased dry and hot spells.’
However, she noted that ‘a summer heatwave doesn’t mean sacrificing a lush, green garden’ if the following steps are taken to help protect it.
Hit particularly hard by the unprecedented heat are hydrangeas – a British garden staple that bloom into either pink, purple or blue (stock image)
Use water carefully
While several parts of Britain are facing a hosepipe ban, you can still usually water your garden with a watering can, although it’s worth checking your local water supplier’s rules first.
Jo advised gardeners to ‘prioritise’ their hydrangeas when it comes to watering.
She added that one should water deeply at the base of plants early in the morning rather than giving them frequent light sprays. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, where moisture is retained for longer.
‘Prioritise anything planted this year, along with shallow-rooted and moisture-loving plants such as hydrangeas and ferns. Already established shrubs and trees will usually cope better with short dry periods,’ she said.
Only water at certain times of day
While several parts of Briton are facing a hosepipe ban, you can still usually water your garden with a watering can. Leading expert Jo McGarry advised gardeners to ‘prioritise’ their hydrangeas when it comes to watering
Michael Griffiths, author of The Easy Garden advised that timing is everything when it comes to watering.
Michael explained that watering early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler and less moisture is lost through evaporation, is best.
Giving plants a deep soak rather than frequent light watering also encourages stronger root growth, helping them become more resilient during dry spells.
Jo added: ‘Water garden hydrangeas deeply at the base in the early morning or evening, rather than giving them small amounts throughout the day.’
Provide adequate sun protection
Hydrangeas struggle to tolerate prolonged exposure to intense sun, and may benefit from temporary shade during the hottest parts of the day.
To protect your beloved hydrangeas from the basking heat, Jo suggests moving pots and hanging baskets into a shadier part of the garden during the hottest part of the day.
Shade netting can also be used to protect vegetable beds and more delicate plants from intense afternoon sun.
Using garden fleece, shade cloth, umbrellas or strategically placed containers can help reduce heat stress while allowing plants to continue growing.
Clair added: ‘Easy shade solutions, like a DIY shade canopy, is an easy and effective way to shield plants from the scorching sun and it offers instant protection.’
Mulch to lock in moisture
Applying a layer of mulch around your hydrangeas and other plants is one of the easiest ways to retain soil moisture during hot weather, according to Michael.
Organic materials such as bark, compost, or well-rotted manure, as well as gravel, helps reduce evaporation, keep weeds at bay and balance the temperature of soil, reducing the need for frequent watering.
Jo added: ‘Adding a layer of mulch around the plant can also help the soil hold moisture for longer and moving potted hydrangeas into shade can reduce stress during the hottest part of the day.’
Focus on deadheading and flower maintenance
Jimmy Englezo, DIY expert at wood stain and paint manufacturer Ronseal, said: ‘Whilst your gardening gloves are on, deadheading spent flowers encourages new blooms and keeps your plants looking neat and healthy’ (stock image)
Jimmy Englezo, DIY expert at wood stain and paint manufacturer Ronseal, said: ‘Whilst your gardening gloves are on, deadheading spent flowers encourages new blooms and keeps your plants looking neat and healthy.
‘Use a clean pair of secateurs or garden scissors to snip just above a new bud or leaf. It’s a small job that can be done in the cooler parts of the day and makes a noticeable impact, especially during prolonged dry spells when plants are under more stress.’
Future proof your garden for the next warm spell
Clair explained that ‘getting ahead’ and futureproofing your garden for the next bout of warm weather is key, as temperatures continue to soar.
She added: ‘Improving soil health is another key tactic. By ensuring grass and lawns retain moisture, gardens stand a better chance of surviving during heatwaves.’
Likewise, Jo advised installing a water butt to allow you to collect and store rainwater for use during dry spells.
‘Collecting rainwater gives gardeners an extra supply to use on lawns, flower beds and plants when the weather turns dry,’ she said.
‘Adding compost or other organic matter to the soil can also help it hold water for longer, meaning less moisture is lost between watering.’
Consider trimming as a last resort
While it may seem nerve-wracking to prune or trim your hydrangea in the summer months, Jo advises that it can be a rather sensible way of helping it ‘revive’.
‘Cut hydrangeas can sometimes be revived by trimming around an inch from the stems and fully submerging the blooms in cool water for one to two hours,’ she explained.
‘Weigh them down gently with a light plate if needed, so the flowers stay underwater.’
Likewise, Michael suggested placing pots in a body of water, such as a bucket or paddling pool, for around an hour before leaving them in the shade.
Sharing a video on Instagram of the savvy tip, he added: ‘Watch the bubbles – when they stop, the compost is fully saturated. Lift it out, let [the water] drain, and it’s properly rehydrated – not just wet on top.’
Weed little and often – while avoiding mowing the lawn
‘Weeds compete with plants for limited moisture, so removing them while they are still small can reduce pressure on flower beds and vegetable plots,’ Jo explained.
She recommends avoiding deep digging in hot, dry soil, as this can increase water loss and disturb plant roots.
Instead, hand-pull young weeds or cut them off at the surface.
Avoid heavy pruning, planting, replanting and feeding until temperatures drop, as these tasks encourage plants to use more water and energy.
Jo said: ‘Plants use a great deal of water and energy to produce new growth, so heavy feeding during a heatwave can put them under even more pressure.’
There’s also no need to worry if your lawn starts to lose its colour.
‘Brown or yellow grass during a heatwave is often dormant rather than dead and will usually recover when cooler, wetter weather returns,’ Jo added.
‘Avoid mowing when the lawn is dry and brittle. If cutting is unavoidable, raise the mower blades and cut off no more than a third of the grass so the longer blades can shade the soil and protect the roots.’
Jo also advises waiting until temperatures have fallen or rain has returned before applying fertiliser, and always watering the soil before feeding.
The flowers that need the most protection
According to Jo, ‘Hydrangeas, acers, roses, ferns and fuchsias need more care during hot weather, especially if in pots or exposed positions.’
She added: ‘Move containers into shade where possible, water deeply at the base and use temporary shade to protect delicate foliage and roots.’
To help ensure these flowers are adequately protected, Jo said that it is wise to ‘avoid pruning plants that have lost leaves during hot, dry weather, as many may recover when temperatures fall and rain returns’.
‘Deep watering is generally better than frequent light watering, while compost and collected rainwater can help soil retain moisture,’ she added.
According to gardening expert Ted Bromley-Hall, there are still ‘plenty of flowers and shrubs that tolerate heat, even in direct sunlight’. One of these is lavender (pictured, stock image)
The flowers that can still thrive during the hot weather
According to gardening expert Ted Bromley-Hall, there are still ‘plenty of flowers and shrubs that tolerate heat, even in direct sunlight’.
He added: ‘Planted directly into the ground, drought-tolerant plants such as palms (Trachycarpus Fortunei and Cordyline Australis for example), lavender, rosemary and veronica provide excellent structure which can be complemented with colourful displays from plants such as Baptisia, Heuchera and Osteospermum.
‘Other brightly coloured favourites that enjoy these conditions include Dahlia, Canna Tropicanna, Hibiscus and Passiflora.’
Jo noted that ‘Agapanthus, yarrow, lavender, hollyhocks and crocosmia are generally well suited to hot and dry conditions’.
However, she warned that ‘newly planted flowers’ are still in need of ‘regular watering while their roots develop’.
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