This summer's heatwave: what you told us
We asked our Bloom members how their gardens coped in the summer heat, and 179 of you responded - here's what's been happening in your gardens this summer.
The majority of you (80%) are changing how you garden. Not giving up, just getting smarter. At the top of the list is choosing plants that can handle the heat and are ready for next year.
More than two thirds of you (69%) lost a plant this summer - so if yours struggled, you're in very good company. A cautionary note from our plant area team. Some plants that look dead now above ground, like ferns or perennials, may shoot up again in the Spring, so don't write them all off just yet! With shrubs and trees, you can scratch the bark to see if they are green (and alive) or brown (and dead).
Roses stole the show. Nearly half of you (44%) named them a heatwave hero. Salvias came a strong second, with almost a quarter of you singing their praises.
Here's the full list that placed in the top ten of plants that have performed well during the heatwave:
- Rose
- Salvia
- Lavender
- Guara
- Hardy geraniums/Agapanthus
7. Verbena (perennial varieties such as bonariensis)
- Clematis/Erigeron
10. Rosemary/Olive/Buddleia
Nearly half of you (49%) have clay soil, and your top plant recommendations were Salvia, Lavender, and Gaura.
And you're not just changing what you plant - 15% of you now have water butts and irrigation systems on your shopping lists, making every drop count.
One of you summed it up perfectly, after transforming a struggling bed into a thriving dry garden: "We put in a new dry bed in the spring, and it has thrived with plants bought at Perrywood Tiptree - we used a very gritty dry mix and drought-tolerant plants."
A hotter summer doesn't mean a harder garden - just a slightly different one. Pop in and chat to our team about heatwave heros, autumn colour, or getting your soil ready for whatever next year brings. We're always happy to help.
